Buffalo Sabres: 4 most intriguing prospects in the system

The Buffalo Sabres have intriguing prospects all across the system. Here are four prospects to watch from each corner of that system.

The Buffalo Sabres have a bright future as it is, and their prospect pool is among the best in the NHL. And there are four intriguing prospects you will want to keep an eye on this season.

Today’s article is not about prospects that will play for the Sabres in 2022-23, or even next year, for that matter. But they are names you want to know and even follow since their chances of eventually sneaking their way onto the roster three to five years from today are high.

Let’s meet these prospects and explore why they are such hot commodities this season. Starting with one of the most interesting at the AHL level.

The Buffalo Sabres have four intriguing prospects from every corner. Prospect #1 – Lukas Rousek, AHL

Drafted in 2019 at 160th overall, Rousek finally saw time with the Rochester Americans last season. He overcame a torn ACL and missed 57 games for the Americans in 2021-22, but he finally made it onto the ice late and played in 19 games.

Unfortunately, his numbers were barren, with just four points in those contests that included one goal. However, he had a rebound campaign in 10 playoff games, sinking six points and two goals.

Now with the likes of Arttu Ruotsalainen playing in Switzerland and Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka most likely moving up to the Buffalo Sabres roster, expect Rousek’s role to increase in Rochester. There is also an outside chance Brett Murray moves up and sees time in Buffalo, which will only give Rousek more playing time.

I am expecting Rousek to be fully healthy this season and continue the trend he set in the playoffs. Look for a 45-50 point outing from the former sixth-round pick.

Josh Bloom, Junior Hockey/Saginaw Spirit

In 2021, the Buffalo Sabres selected Bloom with the 95th pick and he has since been looked at as a steal. The left-winger has already packed on decent size, at 6’2, 183lb, but like Costantini, he still has room to grow. However, he is further along in his game from a statistical standpoint, having put up 61 points in 67 games for the Saginaw Spirit, 30 of which went in for goals.

Something that jumps out about Bloom is the fact he is neither a pass-first nor shoot-first forward. Instead, he is in the process of mastering both arts, depending on what he sees in front of him. His ability to read opponents and make decisions accordingly is one of a few reasons you will see him in the AHL come 2023-24.

As for 2022-23, Bloom will return to the Saginaw Spirit, where you will see him start to take over games. The Spirit was one of the OHL’s worst last season, but you can expect Bloom to change that narrative.

Gustav Karlsson, Sweden/Örebro HK J20

Karlsson is at least three seasons away from even making the trip to North America, but you got to love his potential. Yes, he is a slim prospect, at 6’1, 165lb, but what makes Karlsson so dangerous is his production at the J20 Nationell level.

He was a goal-scoring machine, finding twine 31 times in just 41 contests in 2021-22. He also tacked on 17 assists, giving him 48 total points for the year. He scored so often, that no one else on Örebro HK J20 reached the 30-goal mark.

He also saw two games at the SHL level, but you shouldn’t expect Karlsson to join Örebro HK J20’s parent club on a full-time basis until 2023-24, in which he should spend at least two seasons playing for them.

Projected by some to go as high as the fourth round, it is safe to say Karlsson could be a steal at 187th overall. But, you won’t see the fruits of that until at least 2025-26.

(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)