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Buffalo Sabres: 3 players who must shine at Prospects Challenge

By Sion Fawkes

Sep 28, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Eric Robinson (50) skates with the puck against Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (27) in the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Eric Robinson (50) skates with the puck against Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (27) in the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 27: Matt Savoie #93 of the Buffalo Sabres skates during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center on September 27, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images) /

2 – Matt Savoie

All summer, we’ve been saying Matt Savoie is in that awkward spot where it’s either the WHL or the NHL. Last season, Savoie clearly showed he can outpace everyone not named Zach Benson, but his two-game stint in the AHL showed he needed to put on size and strength.

Like Kulich, Savoie isn’t making the Sabres roster barring a few injuries and poor play from the veterans, but we’re also expecting to see improvement in this tripleheader. If Savoie takes over games starting this week, then he can ride that momentum into camp and at least put his name on the map.

There could be a slight chance that he earns a roster spot, makes his debut, then sits out the number of games required for a “conditioning stint” in the AHL before returning to the WHL’s Wenatchee Wild. But realistically, this is only happening if the Sabres coaching staff and front office feel Savoie can handle an extended look against men.

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