5 standouts on the Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge roster
The Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge roster has arrived, and there are several major standout players you should be excited for.
The Buffalo Sabres are just days away from the 2023 Prospects Challenge commencing, and finally, we know who will be making up their roster. Look for some of your favorites from last season like Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen, and Mats Lindgren to grace the ice, but there are also a slew of other prospects to check out.
These players include a pair of defensemen who have a realistic chance to sneak their way into the Blue and Gold’s lineup a couple of seasons from today. There is also one goaltender whose season you may want to follow closely in the WHL this year, along with a pair of ultra-talented forwards.
5 Buffalo Sabres players to be excited for at 2023 Prospects Challenge
1 – Ryan Johnson, D
What a difference a few months make, as back in April, we didn’t know if Ryan Johnson would even sign with the Buffalo Sabres. After inking his entry-level deal, however, excitement has been brooding for the former first round pick.
We will get a chance to see what Johnson can do against other prospects at his level, plus an initial feel for how close (or far) he is from being NHL-ready. Johnson enjoyed a productive collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, so it will be interesting to see where he currently stands.
2 – Scott Ratzlaff, G
Scott Ratzlaff could, a few seasons from today, end up as Devon Levi’s 1B, and I’m not just saying that lightly. The Seattle Thunderbirds product enjoyed some remarkable outings in 2022-23, and you can expect his numbers to improve this season.
Ratzlaff did some good things at the 2023 Development Camp, and it won’t be long until we find out if he can hold his own against some of the league’s top prospects. During the Challenge, he will share the net with invitee Josh Fleming, who spent time in the QMJHL.
3 – Viktor Neuchev, F
One of two skaters from Russia who is debuting for the Buffalo Sabres AHL affiliate this season, Viktor Neuchev will spend much of this year getting used to the North American game. Unlike Johnson and Ratzlaff, Neuchev knows what it’s like to play against top-notch professional hockey players thanks to his stint in the KHL.
Now the burning question is: Can he use that experience to quickly adjust to the AHL? His performance in the Prospects Challenge could give us some foresight, but if he enjoys a couple of good games, look for his name to pop up more than a few times in Rochester this year.
4 – Nikita Novikov, D
One of my favorite overseas prospects in the system this past season, Nikita Novikov has over 100 games of KHL experience when you count the playoffs. Given his towering build and physical style, Novikov looks like a stay-at-home defenseman at first glance. But he showed us otherwise at times this past July, so don’t be surprised if he gives us some offense during the Challenge.
This will also be Novikov’s first real crack at showing us how close he is to being NHL-ready, and how quickly he can adjust to the North American style.
5 – Zach Benson, F
And of course, we can’t forget about Zach Benson, who has already given us some razzle-dazzle in the WHL’s preseason. Benson was phenomenal during development camp, and logistically, I can see him taking over a game or two during the Prospects Challenge.
We may also see Benson line up alongside Matt Savoie, a teammate of his with the Winnipeg Ice (now the Wenatchee Wild). And if that’s the case, expect this dynamic duo to put on a show for the fans, and perhaps give them a taste of what they can expect when the mid-2020s roll around.
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If Benson excels against some of the better prospects during the Challenge, it will entice more than a few fans to keep tabs on him throughout the 2023-24 season in Wenatchee. Such a performance will create some serious buzz moving forward as he embarks on a pro hockey journey that will eventually find him in a blue and gold uniform permanently.
Source: Sabres announce 2023 Prospects Challenge roster by Jourdon LaBarber, Sabres.com
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)