The Buffalo Sabres need to win and hope a few teams lose if they want to make the playoffs. As for the Rochester Americans, it’s a different story.
The Buffalo Sabres could have a tough time reaching the postseason for the first time in 12 years, but the Rochester Americans are there and it’s no secret that many fans will be tuning in. One reason for the buzz? There are several big-name prospects who could be with the team in 2023-24.
One name is Brett Murray, who, when given a chance in Buffalo, gave the Blue and Gold a physical edge. He’s also played well this season in Rochester, scoring 46 points (21 + 25) in 67 games.
But Murray is an honorable mention in this piece. Here are three prospects who will be a blast to watch when the AHL playoffs roll around.
3 future Buffalo Sabres to watch in the Calder Cup Playoffs
1 – Lukas Rousek
Lukas Rousek’s NHL career started off with a bang in his one-off last month with the Sabres. What’s more amazing about Rousek, however, is that the guy was a mere afterthought heading into the playoffs last season, having scored just one goal and three assists in 19 appearances.
After a remarkable outing in the playoffs though, Rousek has been hot ever since, with 55 points and 15 goals on the season. He also has 40 assists, and the last Amerk to snag that number in their first full year with the team was none other than J.J. Peterka, who put together a serviceable campaign in Buffalo this season.
2 – Brandon Biro
If you’re looking for one of those inspiring success stories, Brandon Biro’s is one you need to read. He’s second on the Amerks in points, with 51, but no one, not even Lukas Rousek, Brett Murray, or Jiri Kulich, come close to Biro’s 1.04 points per game.
Who knows how good Biro would have been this season if injuries didn’t limit him to just 49 games. But if you do the math and multiply 1.04 X 67, you get 69.68 points, so we can round it up to 70. Biro missed yet another game last night, but if he’s good to go when the playoffs roll around – and he should be – watch out.
3 – Jiri Kulich
Jiri Kulich has proven he can contend for a spot on the Buffalo Sabres next year. One concern I had regarding him involved whether he would, at some point in the season, hit a wall. But as it stands, my concerns have since evaporated, especially as he was the one to sink the game-winner last night to guarantee Rochester’s return to the playoffs.
JIRI KULICH IN OVERTIME, BABY! pic.twitter.com/rS3pPDam3u
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 8, 2023
So far on the season, Kulich has 45 points in 59 contests. He’s also leading the team in goals, which serves as a pretty high mark for a rookie.
Overall, these players will, if they stay or get healthy that is, give you a reason to tune into the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs. And as it stands, this Rochester team is looking better than last year’s edition, so it’ll also be interesting to see how far they go.
Source: AMERKS PLAYOFF BOUND WITH OVERTIME WIN OVER CRUNCH, Amerks.com
(Statistics provided by theAHL.com)