3 reasons why Filip Cederqvist can make the Buffalo Sabres roster

There are always darkhorse candidates arriving in training camp every season. For the Buffalo Sabres, it might just be Filip Cederqvist.

While Filip Cederqvist is a longshot to make the Buffalo Sabres roster in 2023-24, he still impressed enough during the 2022-23 season to at least warrant a discussion. Former general manager Jason Botterill may not have been the best executive for Buffalo, but Cederqvist was one of his better late round picks, having snagged the former SHL product as the 143rd overall pick in 2019.

A versatile forward, Cederqvist also made the successful jump from Europe to the AHL this season, appearing in 55 regular season contests and scoring 20 points, nine goals, and 11 assists. He also tacked on another three points in eight playoff games.

So what makes Cederqvist so intriguing? Keep reading for more.

Filip Cederqvist is an intriguing darkhorse candidate for the Buffalo Sabres

1 – Tenacity

It’s always great to have a tenacious player on the ice, and for your lower lines, tenacity should be a primary trait to look for. During the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, Cederqvist saw ice time in eight games. And it seemed like every time he entered a shift, you noticed him flying up and down the ice.

The edge he played with was so great, that at one point, he tripped over a player in pursuit of the puck, sprung back to his feet, bolted toward the boards, and still ended up possessing it. Cederqvist won’t put up highlight reel goals, but his overall tenacity is something the Buffalo Sabres could use.

2 – Size and Maturity

Throughout this Why They Can series, I’ve talked about several prospects potentially making the jump to the NHL. With such few slots available, however, you won’t see many wearing a blue and gold uniform full-time. Many of these prospects’ biggest disadvantage isn’t only their age and lack of experience, but it’s also their overall size.

This isn’t a problem with the 6’2, 207 lb Cederqvist. And like Lukas Rousek, he’s also an older prospect who will be 23 once training camp rolls around. Not only does Cederqvist boast more ideal size; he also has the body maturity to better withstand an 82-game NHL schedule.

3 – Puck Battles

If something else really jumped out at me regarding Cederqvist, it was his ability to engage in numerous puck battles. Once again, size, strength, and muscle maturity help in this realm, and if the Buffalo Sabres let players like Zemgus Girgensons and Tyson Jost walk, they would need someone like Cederqvist to step up and pick up where they left off.

As a younger player, Cederqvist is an overall better fit for Buffalo’s plans. So if they moved on from Girgensons and Jost, not only would Cederqvist get his chance, but so would Tyson Kozak, whose skill set also involves a rather tenacious, physical edge.

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)