Buffalo Sabres Prospects: Expect fast growth from the youth in 2022

The Rochester Americans started camp, and given solid veteran leadership, expect growth from the youngest in the Buffalo Sabres organization. 

You saw many of them at the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge, but with limited opportunities to see extended playing time in the Queen City, they will take their talents to Rochester. Under Seth Appert’s Michael Peca’s, and Mike Weber’s leadership, look for the latest incarnation of the Rochester Americans to improve dramatically in 2022-23.

But you should also pay close attention to the sound veteran leadership returning to the organization. Michael Mersch will probably never play in the NHL, but he will play a huge part in helping the coaching staff develop the likes of Lukas Rousek, Jiri Kulich, Linus Weissbach, Isak Rosen, Filip Cederqvist, Brandon Biro, Aleksandr Kisakov, and Tyson Kozak.

Sean Malone is another name to look out for. Malone, 27, has just two games of NHL experience under his belt, but the Buffalo native is one of the most consistent staples in the Flower City who will provide veteran leadership to the latest cast of young Amerks.

You can also expect defenseman Ethan Prow to have a role in leading what will also be a young rotation that already involves Oskari Laaksonen, Zach Berzolla, and Mitch Eliot. He will also have a hand in likely leading Jeremy Davies, Kale Clague, and Chase Priskie, among others.

Buffalo Sabres prospects in good hands this season

Overall, the Amerks have depth and experience at goaltender and once the experience drops down a notch, defenseman. But since the forwards remain young, inexperienced, and fringe, it will take more than just sound coaching to get them acclimated to the game, especially for the international players still getting used to North American rinks.

Don’t be surprised if the inexperience at forward leads to a slow start for the Amerks. But with impeccable leadership and experience from Malone and Mersch, look for them to transform into a completely different team toward the latter half of the season.