The Buffalo Sabres will have many unfamiliar faces at the 2022 Prospects Challenge. Here are five of those faces to keep an eye on.
September is always the most optimistic time of the year if you are an NHL fan. And if you’re reading this article, odds are you are interested in the Buffalo Sabres 2022 Prospects Challenge. While you will see several of your favorite prospects in action this week, it’s always important to familiarize yourself with the more obscure talents on the roster.
Below, you will find five names that you may not have heard of, but they nonetheless caught my eye. Let’s talk about them.
Five unfamiliar faces to watch at the Buffalo Sabres 2022 Prospects Challenge: Player #1 – Atlee Calvert, C
Calvert will turn 19 in the middle of the Prospects Challenge. His size caught my eye at 6’0, 190lb. Another thing I like about Calvert was his playoff production, where he tallied seven points and three goals in 10 playoff games.
A deceptive player, Calvert possesses a high hockey IQ and he can be proactive. If a play breaks down, he does not panic, but will go with the flow. He possesses incredible on-ice awareness and is able to use his eyes to fool defenders, leaving teammates wide open.
Player #2 – Spencer Sova, D
Another 18-year-old junior hockey prospect with solid size, Sova averaged nearly a half-point per contest. He has just 64 games of OHL experience, so he remains rather raw, but his strong showing with the Erie Otters forced me to pause at his name.
While he displays sound offensive production, don’t let it completely fool you; he does not adapt to plays well. Instead, he takes advantage of specific situations when the Otters control the puck. He is, however, a highly competitive player whose aggression and agility give him an edge when on defense. He is also good in transition.
Player #3 – Beck Warm, G
The Buffalo Sabres have no familiar faces at goaltender on the Prospects Challenge roster, but Warm made me pause. He may see some time in the net for the Rochester Americans, having signed a one-year deal with the team in July, and the Prospects Challenge is a great place to begin that mission.
Warm has sound ECHL experience, having spent the 2021-22 season with the Norfolk Admirals. There, he recorded a 0.912 save percentage and a 3.00 GAA. His past numbers have also been intriguing, which makes him the top goaltender to watch this week.
Player #4 – Nolan Burke, C
Yet another center with decent size at 6’1, 185lb, Burke‘s production for the OHL’s Sarnia Sting wasn’t off the charts in 2021-22, but enough to earn your attention. He had 59 points, 34 goals, and 25 assists in 64 games, a remarkable improvement from his first two seasons in the OHL where he scored just 13 times in 57 games.
Player #5 – Francois-James Buteau, D
At 6’4, 194lb, Buteau has incredible size for an 18-year-old, though he would do well to fill his frame a bit more. And better yet, the defenseman is more than just a hitter; he possesses masterful passing and puck-handling technique.
While Buteau does not score often, he sets the play in motion and logs the occasional assist. He will spend 2022-23 with the Cape Brenton Eagles of the QMJHL.
There are several big-name prospects at the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge this year. But don’t forget about those players who are on the outside looking in. They are always fun to watch and you may see a few of them sneak their way into the organization in the near-future with a strong showing. And as always, acclimate yourself with the 2022 Prospects Challenge by checking out the full roster.
(Statistics and player data provided by Elite Prospects)