Buffalo Sabres: Noah Ostlund may shake up the Amerks in 2023-24
The Buffalo Sabres have yet another prospect ready to join the Rochester Americans in 2022 first round pick, Noah Ostlund, who could shake the roster.
Just yesterday, we learned that Viktor Neuchev signed with the Buffalo Sabres and may begin his career in North America for 2023-24. While Noah Ostlund signed his entry level contract with the Blue and Gold last season, he also returned to Sweden, playing for Djurgardens IF.
With the Rochester Americans in the playoffs and perhaps advancing to the next round of the Calder Cup Playoffs if they win Game 5 against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night, some have speculated Ostlund will be inserted into the lineup. However, this likely will not be the case, as he will, at most, practice with the team.
Ostlund also has a lower body injury that would keep him out of games anyway, and part of the reason he’s coming to North America now is to be evaluated, and to decide whether he will indeed play for Rochester in 2023-24 or return to Sweden for one more year.
Buffalo Sabres prospect could shake things up in Rochester
Ostlund proved to be an effective player with Djurgardens, snagging 26 points, eight goals, and 18 assists in 37 contests. And while Djurgardens was relegated to playing in HockeyAllsvenskan, he was still effective in his first full professional season nonetheless.
If Ostlund stays in Rochester for 2023-24, he could easily work his way onto the top six once he’s acclimated to the North American game. This could cause some roster shakeup in Rochester if Ostlund forgoes a second professional season in Sweden.
How likely is it that Ostlund comes over? Right now, Djurgardens will be playing another season in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second-tier hockey league. By playing in Rochester, he will see much more NHL-caliber talent, which will further augment his development.
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I’m expecting the Buffalo Sabres to make a pitch for the second of its three 2022 first round picks to make the move. If they can sell the idea of playing in Rochester to Ostlund, then the Amerks could be even more fun to watch next season.
Source: Source: Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund to report to Rochester Americans by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)