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Buffalo Sabres: Local station makes bold statement on Jiri Kulich

By Sion Fawkes

EDMONTON, AB - AUGUST 20: Jiri Kulich #25 of Czechia releases a shot toward goaltender Jesper Wallstedt #1of Sweden while William Wallinder #22 looks on during third period action in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship bronze medal game at Rogers Place on August 20, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - AUGUST 20: Jiri Kulich #25 of Czechia releases a shot toward goaltender Jesper Wallstedt #1of Sweden while William Wallinder #22 looks on during third period action in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship bronze medal game at Rogers Place on August 20, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/Getty Images) /
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Jiri Kulich has most definitely become the most intriguing up-and-coming prospect on the Buffalo Sabres. But is he already a draft day steal?

Chris Owen of WYRK made a bold statement in an article entitled The Buffalo Sabres Have The Steal Of The 2022 NHL Draft. In the article, Owen rightfully stated that Kulich was one of the main reasons Czechia managed to advance as far as they did, particularly citing Kulich’s performance against Team USA in which he accumulated three points. Fans of the Buffalo Sabres who saw this game may also be thinking around the same lines.

Of course, Kulich played lights out in that contest, pulling off one of the better assists I’ve seen all season long. He also scored the game-sealing empty-netter, and in doing so, he put himself in prime position to put the game away by skating up the ice, allowing his teammate to flip him the puck.

It is great to hear such praise for Jiri Kulich, but the Buffalo Sabres faithful need to remain cautiously optimistic.

According to Owen, general manager Kevyn Adams had his eyes on Kulich even in the middle of the first round and that he even worked the phones as the tenacious center slid down the draft board. On paper, and from early performances, Kulich looks as though he is a steal, but one development camp and one international tournament shows indications and proves nothing.

Before we truly label Kulich a steal, he first needs to make it to Rochester, which may end up happening this season. If not, he will play one more year in Czechia’s top professional league of Extraliga, where he posted 14 points, nine goals, and five assists.

Then, he must play as well as he did in Rochester before finally landing a spot on the Sabres roster, which I don’t believe will occur on a full-time basis until at least 2024-25, though it wouldn’t surprise me if he made a cameo appearance or two before that.

Grading each prospect’s performance at the World Juniors. light. Hot

Overall, I am excited about Kulich and I believe his stock will continue to trend upward. However, I am not ready to label him a steal just yet.

Article Source: The Buffalo Sabres Have The Steal of the 2022 NHL Draft by Chris Owen

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)

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