While there is always a chance someone claims them via waivers, three players on the Buffalo Sabres could easily wind up in Rochester for 2023-24.
The Buffalo Sabres are not going into the season with three goaltenders, and it’s unrealistic that they start the year with nine defensemen. While you could see them pull off a few trades, it’s also possible that some of these guys end up playing for the Rochester Americans.
This was something we saw occur last season, when the likes of Anders Bjork and later, Vinnie Hinostroza, saw time with the Amerks. But the 2023-24 season will be different, mainly thanks to the fact Buffalo has so much more talent and stabilization on the roster that you won’t see the players listed below in the Queen City barring major injury.
So which players who found themselves with a role on the Sabres last year will end up playing, and perhaps excelling for, the Amerks this season? Here are the top three names.
3 Buffalo Sabres who could contribute in Rochester for 2023-24
1 – Jacob Bryson, D
Of the Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation, Jacob Bryson is one of the lowest if not the lowest ranked player. And he is the first odd man out if the Blue and Gold can’t execute a deal to send him elsewhere for modest at best compensation.
In Rochester, Bryson would find himself competing for ice time with Kale Clague and Jeremy Davies, along with intriguing prospects Ryan Johnson and Nikita Novikov. Regardless of how well Bryson plays in the AHL, this will be his last season in the Sabres system.
2 – Eric Comrie, G
It would take a monumental meltdown in training camp from either Devon Levi or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for Eric Comrie to remain with the Buffalo Sabres. Instead, they will place him on waivers and, if he passes through them, Comrie is the likely starter in the net when the puck drops on Friday, October 13th vs. the Bridgeport Islanders.
This isn’t to say Comrie won’t see time in the NHL this season, but it’s also likely he becomes what Malcolm Subban was last season – nothing more than an insurance policy whose services went unneeded in the Queen City. While Comrie did little to impress us in Buffalo, he should star in the AHL if it’s where he indeed lands.
3 – Riley Stillman, D
Riley Stillman carries a $1.350 million contract, which is significantly smaller than Henri Jokiharju’s ($2.5 million), and Ilya Lyubushkin’s ($2.75 million). Jokiharju and Lyubushkin also have Stillman beaten in terms of experience in Don Granato’s system, further stacking the odds against him.
Like Bryson, Stillman, if he passes through waivers in this case, would be another blueliner competing for ice time. This would give Rochester quite the blue line, and with a team full of young talent at forward, a strong defensive rotation once again makes them a legitimate Calder Cup contender.
So, will the three players listed above all wind up with the Amerks all season? For one, no trades would have to occur, and for another, the injury bug cannot hit the Buffalo Sabres. Finally, all three must pass through waivers. If those three factors are in place, then the Blue and Gold would have no choice but to place these three odd men out into the Flower City.
Source: Buffalo Sabres mailbag: Sorting through glaring roster questions after free agency by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com
(Salary information provided by Cap-Friendly)