Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 51

We are now three-and-a-half weeks from the Buffalo Sabres dropping the puck for opening night vs. the New York Rangers, so let’s make a bold preseason pick.

The Buffalo Sabres are just days away from training camp and the preseason commencing, but now is not the time to make a bold prediction on how the season will go for the team or a certain player. Instead, let’s talk about one prospect who will dominate in tonight’s finale in a performance that will serve as a launch pad for their season.

Some fans had little to think about Tyson Kozak before he signed with the Sabres last year. And during his first season with the Rochester Americans, Kozak’s overall productivity never jumped out from a points perspective, but his overall style of play was nothing short of tenacious.

The kid is no top-six player, even in Rochester, but he is a future lower-liner in the NHL, and he could ultimately find himself wearing a blue and gold uniform permanently in time. His ability to kill penalties, intimidate opponents, and fight for the puck is everything this team will need next season if there may be no Kyle Okposo or Zemgus Girgensons.

Tyson Kozak will dominate in the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge finale

Matt Savoie was the talk of the Sabres following their 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and Isak Rosen pitched in and showed us his growth over the offseason. The latter had a pair of incredible assists in Game 1 of the Prospects Challenge, and he got selfish (in a good way) in Game 2, seizing and scoring on a quick shot.

But when the puck drops this afternoon, the bold prediction is that Kozak will take over and dominate in each facet of the game. Look for him to score at least one more goal and pull off a couple more assists, which will build his momentum heading into the preseason. Oh, and he will also get a stick in there a few times defensively to top things off.

Despite my bolder roster projections from over the summer, Kozak won’t make the big club this year barring something unforeseen, but he will at least show fans a preview of what to expect in the future both today and in the preseason. So in short, let the Tyson Kozak Hype Plane take flight.

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)