The Buffalo Sabres enter the final game of the 2022 Prospects Challenge against an Atlantic Division rival in the Ottawa Senators.
With two young teams and intriguing player pools, look for the Buffalo Sabres prospects playing in this one to meet those on the other side of the ice multiple times in ensuing years. And you will see many of them squaring off often at the NHL level.
So far, the Sabres predictably proved they have one of the best prospect pools out there, outscoring opponents 11-7 over the first two games. Today, the Sabres have a chance to solidify that status against Ottawa. Here are three things to watch for.
1 – The Buffalo Sabres 2021-22 Draft Classes
So far in this tournament, the 2021-22 draft classes played lights out, exceeding even my wildest expectations. On Thursday night, Tyson Kozak stole the show with help from Mats Lindgren.
On Saturday, it seemed as though every prospect present from the aforementioned draft classes were going to sink in goals. What will the two most recent draft classes bring us tonight, and will their respective performances grant themselves a longer look in camp starting next week?
2 – The Fourth Line
Time and again, you heard the claim that the Buffalo Sabres prospects had no fourth line. This line, which featured Atlee Calvert, Nolan Burke, Declan McDonnell, Emmett Sproule, and Josh Passolt at one point or another, has been responsible for some playmaking an even extended ice time.
Of course, most are not familiar with any of the above names, but these are often among the most interesting prospects to watch since they are fighting for recognition. While we won’t see them in the blue and gold this season, they are viable candidates to fill the roster either in Rochester or Cincinnati.
3 – Players on the Cusp
Linus Weissbach, Lukas Rousek, and Oskari Laaksonen are the three players who jump out at me more than any other. All three fared well in Rochester last season at one point or another, but could not put together an entire season of productivity.
Weissbach missed significant time with an injury late in the year, while Rousek missed 57 games because of an ACL tear. Laaksonen was one of the team’s better players before glaring holes in his defensive game kept him out of all but two playoff outings.
All three have enjoyed an outstanding Prospects Challenge and that may translate to better play this season in Rochester. If that occurs, you might see them win some action on the main roster. Even Laaksonen, who I initially had buried in the defensive rotation.