Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres: 3 things we want to see at the 2023 Prospects Challenge

By Sion Fawkes

WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 29: Zach Benson #9 and Matthew Savoie #93 of the Winnipeg ICE congratulate teammate Connor McClennon #94 following his first period goal against the Saskatoon Blades in Game Two of the Third Round of the 2023 WHL Playoffs at Wayne Fleming Arena on April 29, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 29: Zach Benson #9 and Matthew Savoie #93 of the Winnipeg ICE congratulate teammate Connor McClennon #94 following his first period goal against the Saskatoon Blades in Game Two of the Third Round of the 2023 WHL Playoffs at Wayne Fleming Arena on April 29, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge kicks off tomorrow night, and it signifies the start of what will be an exciting season. 

We are on the eve of the 2023 Prospects Challenge, and the Buffalo Sabres will take the ice tomorrow night against their rival, the Montreal Canadiens to kick off their tripleheader. As one of the better prospect pools in the NHL, we’re all excited to see what the Blue and Gold bring. But there are three things that we should be looking forward to seeing more than anything else.

We have a potential dynamic duo on our hands in Zach Benson and Matt Savoie, and seeing them on the ice together will be a treat. Jiri Kulich has put on some much-needed size this summer, and he may just deliver a more complete game than he gave us last year – and that’s saying a lot! Finally, there’s a goaltender who might just generate some fan interest early and often.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Zach Benson
Jun 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Buffalo Sabres draft pick Zach Benson shakes hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected with the thirteenth pick in round one of the 2023 NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

What we must see at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge

1 – Matt and Zach Network

Well, the word “Connection” has already been taken, so I wasn’t about to use it in what will, sometime in the 2020s, need a name to describe this pair. Anyway, it’s obvious as to why myself and any fan tuning into the tripleheader want to see this so badly – the two were teammates with the Winnipeg Ice and the same could very well happen in Wenatchee, Washington this season.

You can even argue that Matt Savoie and Zach Benson were a top three duo in the WHL last year, with the two having combined for 193 regular season points. The fact that Benson fell to the Sabres in the draft was something none of us saw coming, and now we have an opportunity to witness quite a show starting tomorrow.

Savoie enjoyed a strong tripleheader last season, and with another year of experience under his belt, expect a jump in his play. Benson is already one of the league’s top prospects, and he should slide right in and make an immediate impact.

Home/Sabres News