The Buffalo Sabres have prospects ready to roll in Ryan Johnson and Aaron Huglen as the Minnesota Golden Gophers take on the local Canisius Golden Griffins.
The Buffalo Sabres may be off tonight, but a pair of their prospects are set to take on a local team in the Canisius Golden Griffins as the 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament commences. Ryan Johnson and Aaron Huglen will look to lead the top-seeded the Golden Gophers to a win over Canisius in their ongoing quest to earn Minnesota its first National Championship since 2003 and their first championship appearance in nearly a decade.
Johnson is a player many in the Sabres fanbase are going to watch. It’s nearing crunch time regarding his eligibility to sign with the defensemen-needy organization. And if he opts to begin his professional hockey career elsewhere, it could be a potential blow to the Blue and Gold, who will at least get a compensatory selection out of the decision.
Buffalo Sabres prospects set to face the Canisius Golden Griffins
The Sabres also drafted Huglen in 2019, but in the fourth round. Huglen, who has played just two seasons at the NCAA level, has 30 points in 71 games. However, he did enjoy a dominant season in the USHL in 2020-21, when he racked up 35 points, 15 goals, and 20 assists in 39 outings.
Overall, more eyes will be on Johnson for this contest. If he plays well and stands out on the ice, expect the Sabres to exercise a sense of urgency in enticing him to sign.
Earlier, I touched on the subject that Johnson would be foolish to go elsewhere, considering how badly the Sabres have played defensively. Especially when Mattias Samuelsson isn’t in the lineup.
Not that Johnson would play in the NHL right away. But his chances of reaching the big league is far better in the Sabres organization than with most of the league’s other 31 teams. And that should serve as a major selling point.
(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)
Source: Sabres draft picks Ryan Johnson, Aaron Huglen pace Minnesota in NCAA Tournament meeting with Canisius by Rachel Lenzi, BuffaloNews.com.