Ranking the Buffalo Sabres top five prospects in 2023
The Buffalo Sabres have one of the best prospect pools, and Scott Wheeler of The Athletic currently has them sixth overall.
The Buffalo Sabres are a team looking to remain in playoff contention for the duration of the season for the first time in over a decade. If they make the playoffs in 2023, it will serve as an added bonus.
But they still have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL. And this pool is so talented, it’s going to be frightening to think how good this team will be if the prospects listed below make the leap from their respective college, minor league, and professional teams to the NHL.
So who’s #1 on my first prospect ranking of 2023? Let’s find out.
5 – Viktor Neuchev, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg
Last season, Neuchev made his mark in the MHL, scoring 67 times in 61 games. In 2022-23, he’s seeing ample time in the KHL, and has 12 points in 54 games. While this may not seem like a lot, KHL teams often limit their youngest players’ ice times, so he’s made quite an impression this season.
If Neuchev keeps this pace up, I can see him playing in Rochester next season alongside other big-name prospects like Aleksandr Kisakov and Isak Rosen. Once adapted to the North American game, it won’t be incredibly long before you see him make an appearance in a blue and gold uniform, perhaps 2024-25, or 2025-26.
4 – Isak Rosen, Rochester Americans
One of the more creative prospects, Rosen’s small size doesn’t limit him. An agile, fast skater, Rosen’s playing style is also in lieu with the Buffalo Sabres identity, which is a huge plus for the undersized winger.
With 20 points in 35 contests, Rosen has also fared well so far during his first season in North America. But if you were to put a timetable as to when he would play regularly for the Blue and Gold, expect it to happen in 2024-25 at the earliest, with at least one more predominant season in the AHL.
3 – Matt Savoie, Winnipeg Ice
The ninth overall pick in 2022, Savoie, like Rosen, is a smaller player. While many in the Buffalo Sabres faithful are concerned that Savoie didn’t make a leap production-wise in the WHL this season, he is still on pace to put up monster numbers – 84 points in 64 games at the time of this writing.
He already has shooting accuracy required for the NHL, and his quick game will fit right in with Buffalo when he gets opportunity. Savoie can also calmly turn nothing into something with the puck, finding sound passing lanes to extend plays when in the offensive zone. This trait is huge for a Sabres team that, at times, can get a little reckless with the puck.
2 – Devon Levi, Northeastern
Many will rank Levi #1, but he is at least one year away from seeing regular ice time for the Buffalo Sabres. Goaltenders naturally take longer to develop, and Levi will experience the same growing pains as even the best goaltenders in league history.
But with his legendary college career and the way he excelled in each of his stops preceding his time at Northeastern, it’s easy to get excited over Levi. He will be at the absolute least, a solid NHL goaltender. But let’s make sure he’s properly developed so he can form a remarkable one-two punch with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
1 – Jiri Kulich, Rochester Americans
If there is one player on this list most likely to become a regular member of the Buffalo Sabres next season, it’s Jiri Kulich. Regardless of where he’s played this season, Kulich impressed and gave fans a lot of hope that he will be the next in a long line of great players to put on a blue and gold jersey.
So far, Kulich has 23 points in 34 games with the Amerks, and he is most likely to score 44 when the final horn sounds later this season. A fast, aggressive player, Kulich could become a two-way man at the NHL level.
And while he will probably post average numbers – something similar to what J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn are doing – you can expect a huge leap from Kulich starting in 2024-25. Give him time in the NHL, and he will impress.
Article Source: Buffalo Sabres are No. 6 in 2023 NHL prospect pool rankings by Scott Wheeler
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