The Buffalo Sabres head into Game 1 of the 2022 Prospects Challenge to kick off what will be an exciting 2022-23 season. Here’s what to expect.
Matthew Savoie didn’t get a chance to skate during development camp last July because of a shoulder injury. Yesterday, Buffalo Sabres coaches and fans finally got a taste of what Savoie can do on the ice, and he didn’t disappoint.
Coach Seth Appert admitted he was excited to have a chance to work with Savoie, and he described the Sabres top pick as “electric.” Appert noted Savoie’s work ethic, competitive nature, and nose for the puck. It was a good impression for Savoie, who, like any top prospect, wouldn’t mind hanging around and playing on the active roster in Year 1 of what will be a long career in professional hockey.
He will get a chance to show us he’s capable of playing at the NHL level when he faces off with none other than number one overall pick, Juraj Slafkovsky of the Montreal Canadiens. Unlike Savoie, Slafkovsky will most likely start the 2022-23 season on the Habs active roster since they are in a state of rebuilding mode following their disastrous 2021-22 campaign.
What to watch for in the Buffalo Sabres-Montreal Canadiens tilt
Look for Savoie to receive ample playing time on a line featuring Aleksandr Kisakov and Linus Weissbach. Weissbach, a rookie for the AHL’s Rochester Americans last season, enjoyed an impressive campaign while Kisakov put up 56 points in 51 games for the MHL’s MHK Dynamo Moskva.
As of Wednesday, September 14th, Jiri Kulich and Filip Cederqvist did not take part in practice, so their status for tonight is up in the air. Even if they don’t end up competing tonight or at all in the Prospects Challenge, rest calm, as they are just day-to-day with minor injuries. The endgame is to get the duo ready for the season itself, so the Sabres will exercise caution with both prospects.
Overall, keep an eye on Savoie and how he fares against the top overall pick in Slafkovsky. And you will also want to pay close attention to Kisakov, who will get his first crack at the North American game. It will be fun to watch this duo most likely play on the same line tonight, and it may just foreshadow what will come in the not-so-distant future.
Article Source: Prospects Notebook | Savoie ‘electric’ in 1st practice with Sabres by Jourdon LaBarber