Where the Buffalo Sabres sit in Atlantic Division prospect pool ranking
Many NHL pundits state the Buffalo Sabres have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. So where does it rank against the Atlantic Division?
You really don’t need to be an NHL expert to know just how good the Buffalo Sabres prospect pool is. When you had the first overall pick in 2021, plus a dynamic duo dominating the AHL and two outstanding NCAA goaltenders, it’s not hard to see sources like The Athletic having ranked the Sabres so highly in February 2022.
But how do they rank against the other prospect pools in the Atlantic Division? Are any of the Sabres current division rivals deeper and more talented in the prospect arena? Let’s see if anyone can top them. Here is how the Buffalo Sabres prospects rank alongside the rest of the Atlantic.
How does the Buffalo Sabres prospect pool rank against the Atlantic Division? Team #8 – The Boston Bruins
Just about every prospect ranking has the Boston Bruins clocking in at eighth place and when pitted against the entire NHL, 32nd. Their pool is so shallow, NBC Sports reported The Athletic failed to rank a single Bruins prospect in their top 50.
So who is the most exciting prospect in Boston’s system? Fabian Lysell, a former 21st overall pick projecting to become part of the middle six down the road, with potential to work his way onto the top line. He’s rated average to above average in just about every aspect of the game,
John Beecher and Mason Lohrei are two other potential standout prospects. Beecher, a center, saw spotty scoring last season while Lohrei is a former 58th overall pick whose skating desperately needs to improve. Neither, however, project to play higher than the bottom six or pairing if they make it to the NHL.
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a strange case, because some experts have them ranked in the top half while others placed the organization toward the bottom. I decided on the latter because the pool has regressed in recent memory, as Tony Ferrari of The Hockey News indicated.
Former second round pick Shane Pinto may be the most well-known, but injuries have cut his production at the NHL level. He saw just five games of action and one assist last season, a regression from his seven-point outing in 12 games in 2020-21.
They do have a couple of upcoming offensive talents in Egor Sokolov and Roby Jarventie, and both may sneak their way onto the roster. Sokolov has limited NHL experience, so it’s possible he even goes full-time this season.
On defense, look out for Jake Sanderson. While he has no NHL experience, some like Ferrari project he will find a spot on the roster. A two-way player, Sanderson’s high hockey IQ and dynamic ability all across the ice could turn him into one of the more dangerous players.
Overall, the Senators have a lot of potential. But the prospect pool has taken a step back. There are a few names beyond those mentioned in this section, like Jacob Bernard, Phillipe Daoust, Zack Ostapchuk, and Lassi Thomson, but don’t expect them to make the opening day roster in 2022-23.
Article Source: PROSPECT POOL OVERVIEW: OTTAWA SENATORS by Tony Ferrari
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning sit in the bottom tier in most NHL prospect rankings. And when your first round pick from 2022 tops most player rankings in the pool, you are in trouble. Winger Isaac Howard sits at Number One and he possesses between average to above average characteristics like skating, hockey IQ, and puck-handling, though he is a standout with stick-handling.
Jack Finley is a towering defensive forward who likely won’t see time on the top lines. He’s not a good skater, and he does not handle the puck well. The former second round pick projects best as a fourth-liner if he reaches the NHL.
The average to below-average skill sets are a continuing trend for the top players listed in the prospect pool. Though defenseman Jack Thompson could surprise if he improves his skating and puck control. Especially on the power play.
Left winger Gage Goncalves is another potential intriguing find. He is a further asset for the power play and his hockey IQ allows him to create offense and even scoring opportunities.
Overall, while few are hot on the Lightning’s top prospects, there is potential here as you work your way down the list. Especially regarding Thompson and Goncalves. That said, the Lightning may have something if they need to look to their prospect pool.
Article Source: Tampa Bay Lightning rank No. 31 in NHL Pipeline Rankings for 2022 by Corey Ponman
Florida Panthers
While the Florida Panthers top the bottom half of my rankings, take them with a fine grain of salt as most have them between 20th and 25th in the league, which is between slightly to well-below average. Despite playing in 65 NHL games last season, outlets like The Athletic have still listed Anton Lundell as the top man in the pool.
Lundell scored 44 points during his rookie season and finished sixth for the Calder. So it is safe to say that, despite his lack of polishing, that he will wind up on the top line in time, but it won’t occur in 2022-23.
Spencer Knight, ranked second, also saw extended time in Sunrise last season, compiling a 19-9-3 record, a 0.908 save percentage, and a 2.74 GAA. He is yet another player that makes the Panthers farm system look at least halfway decent.
The problem with Florida, despite promising returns from the names listed above, is that there is a huge drop-off. The Athletic ranked Grigori Denisenko as the third-highest prospect, and the former 15th overall pick in 2018 has played in just eight NHL games.
Behind him are the likes of Evan Nause, Justin Sourdif, and Mackie Samoskevich. All of whom possess obvious gifts but they need a lot of polishing before they see NHL ice time.
Article Source: Florida Panthers rank No. 25 in NHL Pipeline Rankings for 2022 by Corey Pronman
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs clock in between 11th and 20th in the prospect rankings, depending on which source you are using. That said, what may be the Eastern Conference’s most talented team in 2022-23 also possesses some fair talent below the NHL level. And that is a scary thought.
It starts with Matthew Knies, who had a great 2021-22 outing regardless of where he was playing. He displays NHL-caliber attributes across the board, though his skating can use some work. But if he develops it, look for Knies to enjoy a long, successful, NHL career.
Knies can develop into a player who earns a spot on the top lines, and so can defenseman Rasmus Sandin. Like Knies, his skating isn’t great, but you will find few players in any NHL prospect pool with a higher hockey IQ, and that will take him a long way at the next level.
Noah Robertson is another one to watch. At 5’9, and 162lb, the 2019 second round pick is beyond undersized for the NHL. But don’t let that size fool you; he has middle six potential and you cannot ask for a better combination of hockey smarts and heart.
While the three most talented and intriguing players in the system listed above display high-quality attributes, what amazes me about the Maple Leafs is that, as you continue down their pool, the same common denominator emerges. Whether it’s defenseman Topi Niemela or Roni Hirvonen, (another undersized, former second round pick), you find players who are, at worst, on par with the NHL average in most attributes.
Article Source: Toronto Maple Leafs rank No. 20 on NHL Pipeline Rankings for 2022 by Corey Pronman
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are perhaps in the most upstart position here, beginning with their top pick, Juraj Slafkovsky. Expect him to become the centerpiece of the Canadiens as early as this season, and he is a player they want to build around.
One of the more physical players in the 2022 NHL Draft, Slafkovsky has struggled with offensive production during his career. But that turned a corner in 2021-22 whether he was in the Olympics or the second half of his outing in Liiga. He showed quite a jump in the latter, which may foreshadow what we might see at the NHL level.
A name Buffalo Sabres fans may be familiar with is Luke Tuch, the younger brother of fan-favorite Alex Tuch. The younger Tuch was a 47th overall pick in 2020, and the winger will look to improve upon his ten-point outing at Boston University.
Finally, Jan Mysak is another prospect I’m ultra-high on. He was a teammate of Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich in the IIHF World Juniors, and he, like Kulich, was a scoring machine. Mysak accumulated eight points, five goals, and three assists at the World Juniors.
Article Source: PROSPECT POOL OVERVIEW: MONTREAL CANADIENS by Tony Ferrari
Buffalo Sabres
Behind the likes of Owen Power, Jack Quinn, and J.J. Peterka, the Buffalo Sabres have a plethora of NHL-caliber talent. While you can expect the rookies to enter the NHL and develop their game on the fast track, you can also expect high-quality play at the AHL, international, junior, and NCAA levels.
Not counting the golden trio listed above, the top prospect in the system is goaltender Devon Levi. Last season, he put on a show at Northeastern and is arguably the top goaltender in the NCAA and he may even contend for the top spot among all NHL prospects at the position. A late-round pick who is also undersized, Levi is built in the same mold as former Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek.
Jiri Kulich has emerged as arguably the most intriguing. His solid outing at development camp foreshadowed a promising performance at the 2022 IIHF World Juniors. There is an outside chance the incoming rookie will play in Rochester this season.
Isak Rosen is another one to watch. And while he received mixed reviews at the World Juniors, Rosen still put up five points (four goals) in seven games. This proves he can score at will, something that has been spotty throughout his career. I am looking for him to develop on the fast track this season.
Other notable names include Aleksandr Kisakov, Josh Bloom, Filip Cederqvist, Matthew Savoie, and Noah Ostlund. The latter of whom enjoyed an outstanding preseason in Sweden.
Detroit Red Wings
If one team ranks higher than the Buffalo Sabres, it is the Detroit Red Wings. And while Marco Kasper (pictured above) is going to be an impact player, this prospect pool starts with none other than Simon Edvinsson, selected sixth overall in 2021.
Edvinsson played in Frolunda last season, but there is a possibility he will snag a spot on the Red Wings roster in 2022-23. The uncertainty regarding Edvinsson as to whether he will be part of the main roster will end in training camp and the preseason.
Then there is 2018 second round pick Jonatan Berggren, who ranks as arguably the best forward in the team’s prospect pool. The only thing holding Berggren back was the Red Wings spending spree in free agency. And having spent the last few seasons developing, it remains a huge question mark as to whether he will find a place in the lineup.
Berggren’s case is one reason I chastised the Red Wings in free agency, using my bunch of guys thrown together mantra. The Red Wings may have the best prospect pool in both the Atlantic Division and possibly the NHL, but they did their top players in the pool no favors in July 2022.
Grading each prospect’s performance at the World Juniors. light. Related Story
I have them ranked over the Buffalo Sabres for now. But that ranking my change if the pool regresses or the Red Wings decide to move them in favor of accumulating more veterans. If that is the case, Detroit is taking a massive, and potentially unnecessary risk.
Article Source: Red Wings Top 25 Prospects: Post-2022 NHL Draft by Devin Little