The Buffalo Sabres are just three-and-a-half weeks from Opening Night vs. the New York Rangers, so let’s make a bold training camp prediction.
The Buffalo Sabres are in a good position this season as, barring anything unforeseen, we know who will comprise the bulk of their lineup. But the Blue and Gold are also in a position we haven’t seen them in for quite some time: They don’t just have a solid team at the NHL level, but they also have an elite prospects pool, and this could make them an exciting group in camp and in the preseason.
In Bold Prediction #52, we’re going long with how some of the Sabres most exciting prospects will perform in camp and even in the preseason if they’re able to get into a couple of games. Forwards like Isak Rosen and Jiri Kulich made shockwaves across the organization’s landscape last year in the AHL. And this preseason, they will keep right up with opposing teams and play like they belong, pointing their respective stocks north in their development.
Rosen, Kulich, others from Buffalo Sabres prospects pool will impress
But it’s not just the Rosen and Kulich Duo looking to show off their offensive skill-set who will impress. Don’t count out your high-energy pieces like Filip Cederqvist and Tyson Kozak, whose high-energy styles will be on full display.
Both looked good during the Calder Cup Playoffs last season, and they also played well in the Prospects Challenge. They too will create enough wow moments for you to believe they will become integral lower liners for the Buffalo Sabres in the near future should they remain in the system.
Aleksandr Kisakov is another who showed growth during the offseason, and he too will remind us why he was the 53rd pick in 2021. Overall, we know all the players listed above will find themselves back in Rochester, but not before they show us all that they will be either future Sabres or, in the event of a trade, serviceable NHL talent. It’s going to be a fun training camp for the Blue and Gold in 2023.