Zach Benson was the talk of Buffalo Sabres development camp. But he wasn’t the only talent that stood out this week. Here are three others.
The Buffalo Sabres concluded their 2023 development camp today with the 3-on-3 French Connection Tournament, in which Zach Benson led Team Robert to victory. Benson was the player that stood out more than anyone else, and his performance should have fans of the Blue and Gold more than ready to follow his progress throughout the 2023-24 season.
However, there was talent showcasing itself all over the ice this week and in the tournament. While more than a few prospects’ respective performances jumped out at me, the following players made a lasting impact this week.
Buffalo Sabres prospects to watch following development camp
1 – Aleksandr Kisakov
Per Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic, Aleksandr Kisakov logged four points and two goals in the tournament, setting the stage for increased playing time in Rochester if he continues to show he can create plays offensively a couple of months from today. Kisakov enjoyed remarkable chemistry with Jake Richard, and he displayed his incredible shot, all of which tells me the compass is pointing north.
Listed at 5’10, 164 lbs, Kisakov put on a good 15 lbs of muscle this past season. However, it remains to be seen how he responds to the constant physical demands of the AHL if he lands a full-time role. That is a storyline you will want to watch when the 2023-24 season is in full swing.
2 – Nikita Novikov
When the Buffalo Sabres signed Nikita Novikov earlier this year, I was ecstatic to hear that he was coming to North America. And while the towering defenseman will likely play a physical game in the AHL, it doesn’t mean he’s purely a stay-at-home blueliner.
He showed us that he can move the puck and position himself well in the offensive zone on multiple occasions throughout the tournament. While the jury is still out on whether Novikov will develop a true two-way game, he should nonetheless find ways to contribute in the offensive zone once acclimated to the North American style, and it will be something to watch this season.
3 – Anton Wahlberg
When the Buffalo Sabres called Anton Wahlberg’s name last week at the NHL Draft, his overall size (6’3, 190 lbs) plus his coordination on the ice told me the organization just landed a prototype of a player. And Wahlberg showed off that coordination during the 3-on-3 tournament’s semi-final when he snuck behind the defense, took the puck, and made an outrageous spin move, before skating into the offensive zone, and finishing off the play for a score.
If Wahlberg continues to add muscle to his already large frame, then the Blue and Gold will have a terrific power forward rising through the ranks a few years from today. Expect to hear his name often in 2023-24 in Malmo.
Sources:
Zach Benson caps ‘whirlwind’ two weeks with standout showing at Sabres development camp by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com
Sabres development camp takeaways: Is Zach Benson already Buffalo’s best prospect? by Matthew Fairburn, TheAthletic.com