Buffalo Sabres: 3 players who must shine at Prospects Challenge
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres have several players in the 2023 Prospects Challenge who could at least get an extended look in camp and in the preseason.
There is intriguing talent up and down the Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge roster, but none of them are likely serious candidates to earn a spot in the lineup this season. That doesn’t mean they won’t at least make their NHL debut at some point this year, but realistically, and as my most recent lineup projection indicated, at least the top 21 spots are locked up, barring injuries or performance issues.
However, a few players will at least get an extended look in camp and in the preseason if they come in and put up a dominating performance or two during the tripleheader. Below, you will find a trio of prospects who, with a strong showing, will create some dialogue among the coaches, front office, and the fan base.
Who needs to shine in order to take that next step? Two of the three talents listed are former first round picks who became steady points producers in their respective leagues. The third prospect on this list transformed into a fan favorite, and he has adopted a defense-first approach to his game.
3 Buffalo Sabres who must shine at 2023 Prospects Challenge
1 – Jiri Kulich
Somewhere in outer orbit, Jiri Kulich will be in the conversation to sneak his way into the Buffalo Sabres lineup for 2023. But at this point, he is buried in the system and would need a stellar Prospects Challenge, training camp, and preseason to warrant more than just an honorable mention or two.
Kulich, however, showed us that he can be an impact player at the AHL level, so if he shows growth during the tripleheader, the coaching staff will give him his chance. The likeliest scenario is that he will wind up back in Rochester for another year before becoming a legitimate threat to win a spot in the lineup for 2024-25.