5 Buffalo Sabres prospects to keep an eye on in training camp in 2023
Training camp is brewing for the Buffalo Sabres. And while we know who are shoo-ins to make the team in 2023, others will look to make an impression.
With a strong prospects pool, the Buffalo Sabres have plenty of players worth watching as they head into training camp. Of course, we know what the likes of Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin, and others can do. And even with a team (finally) featuring several established veterans, there are still numerous prospects who will demand your attention.
Below, you will meet five of these players who either a) could wind up as a lower liner or as an extra skater with the Blue and Gold, or b) are worth watching in camp in terms of measuring their overall progress. The last two players listed below are NHL-ready, but thanks to the interest they brought at the 2023 Prospects Challenge, they are still worth keeping an eye on.
5 Buffalo Sabres prospects to watch
1 – Lukas Rousek
Of all the prospects on this list who are waivers exempt, Lukas Rousek has the best chance to make the big club. He was impressive in his two outings earlier in the year with the Sabres, and he should also build on his strong season with the Rochester Americans.
During the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs, Rousek didn’t shoot the puck often, but he still snagged five goals and 12 points in the postseason. His breakout 2022-23 season came on the heels of a strong 2022 playoff run when he scored six points in 10 games, and if he climbs another rung, he may just be in the Buffalo Sabres lineup come opening night.
2 – Brett Murray
Brett Murray is not waivers exempt, and that could give him an edge to earn a spot with the Blue and Gold IF he proves he’s among the best of the bunch in camp. Murray has NHL experience, so that could also give him a leg up against the likes of Rousek and Brandon Biro, and his imposing frame brings more than enough size.
If there is one drawback with Murray, it’s that he’s had plenty of chances to show he can handle the NHL grind, and that hasn’t happened yet. Another mark against him comes in the form of Jordan Greenway, who boasts similar size and is the clear-cut favorite to play the kind of role that best fits Murray.
3 – Brandon Biro
We can only wonder how productive Brandon Biro would have been had injuries not plagued him last season. Like Murray, Biro is not waiver exempt, so if the Sabres don’t want to risk losing him to someone else, they will have no choice but to keep him in the lineup come October.
And like Rousek, if Biro can build off his successful season in camp, then he will get more than an extended look. He enjoyed a solid camp and preseason last year, so if he’s on the team in some capacity on opening night, it shouldn’t surprise anyone.
4 – Isak Rosen
Perhaps nobody over the past 365 days has evolved their game better than Isak Rosen. This time last season, Rosen was simply focused on making the transition from Europe to North America, and now, he is one of the Buffalo Sabres hottest prospects and a likely fan favorite.
Rosen is only making the Blue and Gold’s lineup if he has a legendary camp, but he’s making this list because these next two weeks will serve as an incredible measuring stick for one of the Amerks best players. Look for Rosen to take a major step forward this year, and he will draw even more excitement in September 2024.
5 – Ryan Johnson
Like Rosen, Ryan Johnson is only on this list because because of the interest he will draw. Fans of the Buffalo Sabres have waited throughout Johnson’s college career at Minnesota to finally see him take the ice as a member of the Blue and Gold, and now, their wish is about to come true.
Johnson is yet another first round pick for the Sabres that will bring a two-way game, along with first overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. And while he won’t be playing alongside them once the puck drops vs. the New York Rangers, a strong camp basically ensures he will be the main blueliner to watch in Rochester and throughout the entire system this season.
light. Related Story. 3 biggest standouts at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge
Overall, the Sabres have a plethora of eye-catching prospects, but those listed above should bring more interest than anyone else. Other honorable mentions include Zach Benson, Nikita Novikov, Tyson Kozak, Jiri Kulich, and hopefully, Matt Savoie. That said, this list easily could have comprised 10 players.
Source: Position-by-position look at Sabres’ training camp roster by Lance Lysowski, Buffalo News
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)