The Buffalo Sabres have got to be happy with the performances of first-round picks Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen at the 2022 IIHF World Juniors.
Isak Rosen and Jiri Kulich are representing their home countries of Sweden and Czechia, respectively, and both have played exceptionally well thus far in the tournament. Kulich is averaging one point per game, with one goal and one assist. His +/- also sits at (+3).
And while Czechia fell to Finland in a shootout, it didn’t stop Kulich from scoring what may have been the greatest goal in the tournament so far as he found the back of the net in what was basically a face-off goal. On the ensuing face-off, a teammate flipped the puck back to Kulich who found twine on a one-timer.
Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen are showing off their first-round talents at the 2022 IIHF World Juniors
Not only was it beyond accurate, but video of the goal shows you the sheer power Kulich possesses behind his shot. Check it out for yourself:
Kulich hammer time pic.twitter.com/RnOfTHiJUZ
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) August 11, 2022
I was personally a huge fan of the Kulich pick. And it is plays like these that remind me exactly why I sung his praises not only on draft day, but also development camp. But we also need to recognize Rosen for what he’s been able to do.
As I write this, Sweden is facing off with Austria, so Rosen might just pull off another highlight-reel play by the time this article publishes. But it’s appropriate to recognize Rosen’s sheer speed and ability to adjust his body as he found twine on this one.
On his goal against Switzerland, Rosen showed speed, body control, and the ability to slowly break away and get open, allowing his teammate to slide the puck his way. Rosen did the rest and ended up finding twine from the middle of the circle on a wrister.
Rosén gets his first of the tourney pic.twitter.com/JrWtZAQvr3
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) August 10, 2022
And one more thing: In Rosen’s case, that blue and gold Swedish uniform looked a lot like those of the Buffalo Sabres. It’s giving me a nice foreshadowing of what we can expect when Rosen eventually makes it to the NHL!
Update: Rosen tacked on his second goal in the tournament in Game 2 against Austria.
Update #2: Later in the second period against Austria, Rosen logged a takeaway and a subsequent assist.
Overall, I have been impressed with the play Rosen and Kulich have shown. And something tells me they will add a few more plays to the 2022 IIHF World Juniors highlight reel before it is all said and done.