Top 5 Buffalo Sabres prospects to watch in Rochester in 2022
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.
Lukas Rousek
There is no prospect in the Buffalo Sabres system more intriguing than Lukas Rousek. While he has a chance to make his NHL debut in a likely one-off fashion, Rousek also has an opportunity to take over where Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka left off.
A torn ACL delayed his plans in 2021-22 and he notably struggled to score upon his return, putting away just four points in 19 games. But Rousek turned on the jets in the playoffs, scoring six times in 10 contests.
A strong training camp will all but guarantee Rousek a spot on one of the top scoring lines. If he continues the pace he set in development camp throughout the latter half of September and into the regular season, he could easily wind up leading the Amerks in scoring.
I listed three forwards after Rousek in this piece. But if there is any one forward in Rochester to pay close attention to this season, it’s Rousek. But the others are also deserving of your attention. Including one who is facing a likely make-it-or-break-it year.
Matej Pekar
Pekar must find a way to get better if he wants a chance at hanging around the Buffalo Sabres organization. If you were give him a rank in a list of Sabres prospects, he is outside the Top 20. Melissa Burgess of Die By the Blade put him at #26, in front of the likes of Josh Bloom and Olivier Nadeau.
And I’m sure the only reasoning behind this is that Pekar is playing in Rochester while Nadeau and Bloom must wait until they turn 20 before joining the Amerks. So naturally, Pekar gets the nod here. But one reason I have Pekar rated so highly is that his output in the OHL was phenomenal – 99 points in 84 games is nothing to scoff at.
So Pekar is that ultimate boom-or-bust prospect this season. He either has it or he doesn’t. If Pekar doesn’t add to his points production and cut the penalty minutes this season, he may be out of chances. I am hoping he enjoys a breakout campaign, but he has given us no reason to trust him.
Sean Malone
There were few players the Buffalo Sabres signed back into the system that I was more excited about. And I know, I know, there are far too many younger prospects in the organization to be more excited to see play. But Malone’s leadership and his consistent output excites me.
One reason Malone is one to watch is that he might just have the worst luck of any prospect in the system. He is 27 this season, with two NHL games under his belt, the last of which occurred during 2020-21 with Nashville.
But when you have a group of young prospects looking to take things to the next level, Malone is the guy you want on your team. One reason is that, suppose an injury bug hits the Sabres but the kids aren’t quite ready for the NHL. Malone provides an excellent insurance policy.
Malone also epitomizes what this list is all about. He may see some NHL action if needed. But expect a quick reassignment back to Rochester when things are looking good in the Queen City.
Brandon Biro
One of my favorite prospects in the Buffalo Sabres organization, Biro managed a one-off in the NHL late in 2021-22. He may get a few more looks this year if the Sabres need him in Buffalo, much like Malone. But you can expect Biro to continue to build on his success in Rochester.
In 2020-21, Biro saw action in 15 games, about half of Rochester’s contests, before playing for the team full-time in 2021-22. There, he had 41 points in 48 games, with 12 goals, proving that even undrafted free agents can succeed in professional hockey.
Related Story. Ranking the Sabres CHL Prospects. light
I am excited to see what Biro can do in his second full season with Rochester. And if he plays well in 2022-23, he could be a dark horse to join the Sabres as a potential fourth liner in 2023-24. He made an incredible jump last year, and that trend may very well continue.
(Statistics provided by Hockey DB)