Top 5 prospects who can make the Buffalo Sabres lineup in 2023-24
Although Kyle Okposo is returning to the Buffalo Sabres for 2023-24, there are a few prospects who could still sneak their way into the lineup.
Despite Kyle Okposo re-signing with the Buffalo Sabres, there are still plenty of potential spots left in the lineup. At the time of this writing, the Blue and Gold have not yet re-signed Zemgus Girgensons, and to retain Jost, they would need to extend a qualifying offer. Further, Vinnie Hinostroza, barring something unforeseen, won’t be back.
Then there is always the possibility general manager Kevyn Adams moves Victor Olofsson, which could open an additional spot. This means that at forward, up to four more spots can open with potential voids from Girgensons, Jost, Olofsson, and the surefire void Hinostroza will leave.
Realistically, however, Jost and Girgensons could easily return, which realistically opens two spots: One that Hinostroza leaves vacant, and one from Olofsson. So which five prospects have the best chance to snag one of the one to four open spots in the lineup? Keep reading for a rundown.
Prospects who can see time with the Buffalo Sabres in 2023-24
1 – Jiri Kulich
At this point, Jiri Kulich appears to be ready to make the jump more than any other prospect in the Buffalo Sabres pool. Kulich’s performance so far in the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs catapulted him to #1 in my prospect rankings, and if the former 28th overall pick carries his recent success over into camp, look for him to win a spot in the lineup.
He will potentially knock off Victor Olofsson, who would move into a role as an extra skater. Or, if as mentioned above, the Buffalo Sabres trade the winger, there will be another spot open, and that could go to one of the remaining four players on the list.
2 – Lukas Rousek
Of the five players listed, Lukas Rousek was the only one to see NHL action this season when he appeared and played well in two games. His hustle and ability to give himself scoring chances will work in his favor as he competes for a spot.
The only downside is, if the Blue and Gold re-sign Zemgus Girgensons and extend a qualifying offer to Tyson Jost, the likelihood of Rousek attaining adequate playing time as he makes the jump will decrease, as he would likely rotate with the newly re-signed Kyle Okposo, Girgensons, and potentially Jost in such a situation, unless he beats out Kulich or perhaps Matt Savoie for the spot a potentially departing Olofsson will open.
The upside? Rousek gives the Sabres more than adequate depth.
3 – Matt Savoie
For Matt Savoie, it’s going to be all about whether he is ready to take the next step and withstand the rigors of the NHL. He is undersized, and until the (very) near future, the highest level of hockey Savoie has competed in was the WHL.
But if Savoie proves himself in his inevitable debut in the Calder Cup Playoffs, has a good offseason, and a good camp, he could find himself snagging what will be at least one more open spot in the lineup, likely on the third line. If not, then Savoie could return to the WHL, but the likelier option would be for him to embark on the “Shane Wright Route.”
4- Isak Rosen
Production, production, and more production has been a hallmark of Isak Rosen’s game during the playoffs. But he needed time to get acclimated to the North American style of play, as expected, and he is still undersized.
Rosen’s ability to score from the circle on the power play indicates he may have found his niche in the game. Once he packs on more muscle, which will allow him to better withstand the physical side of what he will see in the NHL, he could find himself in the Buffalo Sabres lineup. That won’t happen in 2023-24, sans a cameo appearance or two.
5 – Brett Murray
The oldest prospect on the list, Brett Murray would be nothing more than a rotational piece if he earned a spot in the Buffalo Sabres lineup. He would be a physical fourth-liner, however, and a line comprising himself, Peyton Krebs, and Jordan Greenway would be more than fun to watch, even on a part-time basis.
The question, however, is if there is any room in the lineup for Murray, as if Kulich (or Savoie) hypothetically fills Olofsson’s spot and Rousek takes the final spot that Vinnie Hinostroza will be leaving, and they re-sign Girgensons and Jost, it would leave Murray as the odd-man-out unless he can beat out Rousek. Therefore, it’s not likely Murray will sneak his way onto the lineup unless either Jost or Girgensons don’t return.
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However, in such a scenario, Murray could wind up as the first player the Sabres would recall in the event of injury, or in lieu of potential performance issues from any of the rookies. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Murray playing a few games in a blue and gold uniform, as injuries are inevitable across 82 games.