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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) /
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Buffalo Sabres prospect Scott Ratzlaff
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, BC, CANADA; CHL Top Prospects team white goaltender Scott Ratzlaff (33) blocks a shot as CHL Top Prospects team red defenseman Etienne Morin (5) screens the net during the first period in the 2023 CHL Top Prospects ice hockey game at Langley Events Centre. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

3 – Scott Ratzlaff channeling his inner-Devon Levi

When the Sabres drafted Scott Ratzlaff, I immediately knew that there would be size comparisons to Devon Levi. Ratzlaff is just 6’0 tall, so don’t expect those comparisons to end any time soon unless he experiences a growth spurt.

Ratzlaff was also outstanding for the Seattle Thunderbirds in 2022-23, and if he takes the next step, he could generate something close to Levi-like numbers this season. Last year while in a timeshare, Ratzlaff had a GAA of just 2.15 to go along with five shutouts. His 0.918 save percentage is also something that jumped out, and it was a far cry from the 0.904 he accrued in 2021-22.

This isn’t to say Ratzlaff will go in there and look like a Devon Levi clone. But he already has identical traits to the Buffalo Sabres goaltender, like overall quickness, per his Elite Prospects profile.

Related Story. Buffalo Sabres: 3 players who must shine at Prospects Challenge. light

Overall, we want to see a successful tripleheader, but if Matt Savoie and Zach Benson give us a strong preview, along with a new-look Jiri Kulich outmuscling opponents, then this will be a fun few days. And if Ratzlaff puts on a show in the crease, then he could give Sabres fans everywhere even more reason to keep tabs on the WHL this year.

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)

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