Buffalo Sabres Prospects: Viktor Neuchev headed to the AHL?
As a few Buffalo Sabres AHL prospects will get an extended look heading into training camp in 2023-24, Viktor Neuchev may be a new addition in Rochester.
It’s that time of year again, when a few unsigned prospects officially become members of the team that drafted them. And for the Buffalo Sabres, Viktor Neuchev is the latest signee. If you remember correctly, Buffalo took Neuchev in the 2022 NHL Draft, snagging him with the 74th overall pick.
Now that he’s officially part of the organization, look for him to take a similar route as Isak Rosen and Aleksandr Kisakov, where he will likely end up with the Rochester Americans next season. Since the Sabres are loaded at forward, expect Neuchev to spend the duration of his ELC in Rochester, where he will get used to the North American version of the game.
Despite the learning curve required, Neuchev brings a lot of upside. In 2021-22, he played for the MHL’s Avto Yekaterinburg, where he scored 67 points, 40 goals, and 27 assists in 61 games. As you can see in the tweet below, those numbers were the MHL’s best. Neuchev played in the KHL this past season for Avtomobilist, where he scored 12 points in 57 games.
The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Viktor Neuchev to a three-year, entry-level deal. pic.twitter.com/KmXq4AVFBk
— Sabres PR (@SabresPR) May 2, 2023
What will the Buffalo Sabres do with Viktor Neuchev?
With Jiri Kulich and Lukas Rousek slated to get long looks at the NHL level, Neuchev will be one of the next men up in Rochester. Look for him to possibly start off on the lower lines, as the likes of Isak Rosen and Linus Weissbach (assuming he re-signs) will man the top line, along with those under contract with the Amerks.
Brandon Biro, Josh Passolt, Kohen Olichefski, Tyson Kozak, Aleksandr Kisakov, and Filip Cederqvist are other notable names Neuchev would have to compete with, again, assuming no player movement occurs among the group. Biro could also have an outside chance with the Sabres if he manages to come back healthy.
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Overall, I don’t foresee Neuchev making the NHL any time soon, and given how stacked (isn’t it great to finally use that term?) the Buffalo Sabres are at forward, there is a chance Neuchev may not see the ice in a blue and gold uniform at all. But, time will ultimately decide what becomes of the latest signee.
Source: Sabres sign Russian prospect Viktor Neuchev to entry-level contract by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com.
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)