The Buffalo Sabres prospects kick off the tripleheader vs. the Canadiens
The summer is officially over as the Buffalo Sabres kick off the long-awaited 2023-24 season with their prospects facing the Montreal Canadiens.
The Buffalo Sabres three-game Prospects Challenge starts tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, and this one could feature a lot of starpower with a pair of arguably the best prospect pools in the league. Barring any scratches, we are excited to see players like Matt Savoie share the ice with WHL teammate Zach Benson, and we will also get a look at blueliners Nikita Novikov and Ryan Johnson.
The overall line combinations will be a hot topic tonight, as there are several players I would love to see team up with one another. Savoie and Benson are the obvious pair, but let’s not forget about Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen. The duo put on some hot performances this past spring during the Calder Cup Playoffs, so it will be interesting if they get to play alongside one another this weekend.
Kulich and Rosen did practice on the same line, as did Savoie and Benson. Kozak, however, was seen working primarily with Viktor Neuchev and Aleksandr Kisakov. We will see if these are the lines they roll with starting tonight at 7 PM.
Buffalo Sabres kick off tripleheader vs. Canadiens
Tyson Kozak and Filip Cederqvist would also make for an intriguing line – especially on the third. Kozak carved out a Peyton Krebs-like niche during his first season in Rochester and he looks like a future lower-liner with the Buffalo Sabres. Cederqvist was relentless when on the ice during the Calder Cup Playoffs, and he can also use his size to knock opponents around.
Zach Metsa was one player who fans became familiar with if they watched the Rochester Americans in their postseason run. Metsa won the National Championship with the Quinnipiac Bobcats last season before he arrived and made an impact in the Flower City. He has done enough for you to at least hold your attention this season, so keep tabs on him throughout the Challenge.
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Unfortunately, Vsevolod Komarov will miss the tripleheader because of a minor ailment, negating the chance to see him potentially pair with Nicolas Savoie (no known relation to Matt). Savoie and Komarov helped the Quebec Remparts win the Memorial Cup in 2023. While Komarov will return to the Remparts this season, Savoie will try his hand at the AHL.