Will Buffalo Sabres first round pick Jiri Kulich see NHL action?
Buffalo Sabres 28th overall pick Jiri Kulich has been a revelation in the 2022 IIHF World Juniors. But that isn’t why he may see NHL action this year.
The Buffalo Sabres may be assigning forward Jiri Kulich to Rochester for the 2022-23 season. And if he performs well enough in Rochester, he may very well see a cameo in the blue and gold. Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News Tweeted the following yesterday, which strongly implies Kulich will, at the very least, suit up for the Amerks.
Missed this while traveling for vacation, but Seth Appert said Monday that he expects to have Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich in Rochester this season. https://t.co/eunicYjBIZ
— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) August 18, 2022
On Wednesday, Kulich helped lead Czechia to a massive upset over Team USA in the World Juniors Quarterfinal, scoring three points, one goal, and two assists. And one of his assists showed just what kind of tenacity and never give up mentality he brings to any roster he becomes part of.
Tie game 🙃#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/NSR2VTmrK9
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 18, 2022
If Jiri Kulich is in Rochester this year, he can wind up seeing a cameo for the Buffalo Sabres.
Kulich has been one of the fastest-rising prospects in the world before he joined the Sabres pipeline as the 28th overall pick in July 2022. He played in the World Under-18 earlier in the year, where he was named MVP. During the tournament, he scored 11 points, nine goals, and two assists in six games, and it solidified his spot as a then future first round pick.
He also played his first full season for Extraliga’s Energie Karlovy Vary, knocking down 14 points, nine goals, and five assists in 49 games. And shortly after the Sabres drafted Kulich, he showed up and impressed during development camp.
In all, Kulich has been a revelation and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Sabres assigned him to Rochester this season. If Seth Appert expects to have him, it means he and the front office that includes Kevyn Adams and Don Granato have been talking.
Related Story. Rosen, Kulich showed up in the IIHF Quarterfinals. light
I’m not saying he will be in Rochester and perhaps in Buffalo for a game or two. But don’t be surprised if it happens.
Article Source: WORLD JUNIORS: JIRI KULICH STEPS UP FOR THE CZECHS by Ryan Kennedy
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects and MSN)