Buffalo Sabres: 5 players maximizing opportunities at Prospects Challenge

WORCESTER, MA - MARCH 25: Josh Passolt #21 of the Western Michigan Broncos shakes hands with Jordan Harris #2 of the Northeastern Huskies after the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Northeast Regional game at the DCU Center on March 25, 2022 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Broncos won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
WORCESTER, MA - MARCH 25: Josh Passolt #21 of the Western Michigan Broncos shakes hands with Jordan Harris #2 of the Northeastern Huskies after the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Northeast Regional game at the DCU Center on March 25, 2022 in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Broncos won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Sabres have several names in the Prospects Challenge looking to get noticed. Here are five players maximizing that opportunity. 

The Buffalo Sabres possess one of the best prospect pools on paper, and those in the pool taking part in the 2022 Prospects Challenge are proving that point. The Sabres again won in what was a physical contest, putting up seven goals in the show.

And not only did they score seven times – the goals, and those who set up the scoring opportunities, came from a variety of sources. You aren’t seeing just one or two players taking over; but a team effort. Maximal effort that is seeing several young players looking to prove they deserve to play at least a few games on the main roster.

Buffalo Sabres prospects maximizing opportunities in 2022

You can make the argument that just about every Sabre on the roster is maximizing their opportunity during the 2022 Prospects Challenge. But the following five players have consistently stood out and made plays seemingly every time they stepped on the ice.

Prospect #1 – Oskari Laaksonen

Of course, we will see how Laaksonen fares in training camp when he plays against more experienced forwards, but throughout the Prospects Challenge few defensemen have made more plays than Laaksonen. Offensively, he has been brilliant, helping to create scoring opportunities as evidenced with his two assists on Saturday.

However, despite his position, his defensive game warranted attention. Yet we have seen a physical Oskari Laaksonen over the first two games. It remains to be seen if he can keep up this high-octane, disruptive play. But if he can, Laaksonen may not be the afterthought I thought he’d be when the Sabres signed AHL-caliber talent to their organization.

Prospect #2 – Linus Weissbach

Offensively, Weissbach was great for the Buffalo Sabres affiliate Rochester Americans last year, but a late-season injury derailed his season. Through the Prospects Challenge, Weissbach has not missed a beat.

He’s had two brilliant assists so far in the Prospects Challenge and has always put himself in position to create opportunities for teammates. Weissbach also displayed incredible puck control and has created space on numerous occasions. On Saturday night, he had two assists.

Prospect #3 – Beck Warm

While Warm allowed four goals on Saturday night, it’s hard to fault him for three of those. During the first half of the contest, the Devils continually pressured the net and the finally broke through the Sabres defensive efforts. That first goal was inevitably going to occur.

In the third period, the Sabres held a 5-2 lead and seemingly lost their sense of urgency, which allowed the Devils to climb back into the game to make it 5-4. Overall, however, Warm made several spectacular saves in Game 2, emulating his performance from Game 1 when he saved 22 of 24 shots on goal. Had the Sabres not gotten so lazy with the big lead, Warm would have a better stat line.

Prospect #4 – Josh Passolt

Passolt started to take advantage of his opportunities when he inked a tryout contract with the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, made the team, and played in six games of the 2021-22 season. He moved up a rung this past offseason when he signed with Rochester on April 8th of this year.

Passolt opened up the Buffalo Sabres scoring with a goal in Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. And while he had a quiet Game 2, he still managed to create plenty of room for himself on the ice.

Article Source: PASSOLT MAKING THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITY AT PROSPECTS CHALLENGE by Suzie Cool

Prospect #5 – Lukas Rousek

Rousek’s edge made him stand out thus far in the tournament, and twice, he contributed to goals scored on Saturday night, once for Ethan Ritchie, and again to set up the rebound for Isak Rosen’s goal.

Rochester Americans head coach and the Sabres coach for the tournament Seth Appert described Rousek’s play as “pretty good,” in Game 1. In Game 2, however, Appert called the winger’s play “elite,” and it’s becoming clearer that he will get a long look in training camp.

Article Source: Postgame Takeaways | Rousek fuels big night for linemates Kulich, Rosen by Jourdon LaBarber