The Buffalo Sabres prospect pool is one of the best, and an even more incredible amount of talent playing in Rochester this season. Here are five to watch.
The Buffalo Sabres have a few prospects that could be NHL-ready and play on the main roster anywhere between a handful of and a double-digit number of games. Therefore, today’s article will only list players who will most likely end up in and play for an extended period in Rochester and could wind up seeing NHL ice.
I am also not listing any incoming rookies, so you won’t see the likes of Filip Cederqvist, Isak Rosen, and Aleksandr Kisakov on this list. Instead, you will only find veterans listed below. Some of whom have NHL experience under their belt while others are a few impressive performances away from a potential debut.
I listed two other prospects here because they are facing a make-it-or-break it situation. And it starts with the player I have listed first in this slideshow.
The top five Buffalo Sabres prospects to watch: Prospect #1 – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
While I have said there is an outside chance that the Buffalo Sabres keep three goaltenders on the active roster if Luukkonen impresses, odds are higher that he starts and plays most of the season in Rochester. This would be assuming Craig Anderson and Eric Comrie stay healthy. But there is also a chance Malcolm Subban fills in if injuries affect the duo.
Last season, Luukkonen struggled during his time in Rochester. But interestingly, he posted a 0.917 save percentage and a 2.74 GAA during a nine-game stint with the Sabres. Overall, however, Luukkonen needs to show he can be both durable and consistent in the AHL before he receives extended NHL time.
Perhaps that wasn’t the case last year when injuries forced him out of the net. But following this season, the Sabres could have two goaltenders in Devon Levi and Eric Portillo coming through. In short, the pressure is on for Luukkonen, and he needs to play every game as if it’s his last in the net in Rochester.