The Buffalo Sabres will be an exciting team in 2023-24, but so will the Rochester Americans, and one potential trio could provide plenty of it.
In the Buffalo Sabres win over the Washington Capitals, one trio of Filip Cederqvist, Linus Weissbach, and Tyson Kozak looked like they could be an intriguing unit in the AHL this season when the Rochester Americans regular season opens next month. None of the above will make the big club, but they will make it fun to watch a full dose of Amerks hockey if you’re also into the AHL.
No, you won’t see the trio scoring much, as they will man the lower lines. But if you’re into high-energy, hard-hitting play, then this potential Kozak line will give you exactly what you’re looking for.
Weissbach is no NHL talent, though he’s a solid AHL player. But you can’t say the same for Kozak and Cederqvist, and the former may find himself in Buffalo next season if he puts together another stellar year in Rochester. So Bold Prediction 58A is rather simple – Kozak will shatter what he did for the Amerks last season, doubling his points total, and also garnering a reputation as one of the AHL’s best defensive forwards.
Future Buffalo Sabres turn in stellar 2023-24 campaigns in Bold Prediction #58
Then there is Cederqvist, who impressed me during the Calder Cup Playoffs last season when he saw ice time. The Amerks may be laden with talent up and down each of the four lines, but Cederqvist will be an energizing force who, with a year under his belt, will see the game slow immensely in Year 2 if his performance in the playoffs served as an indicator.
This isn’t to say Cederqvist will be NHL-ready following the 2023-24 season, but he will more than exceed expectations to the point the Buffalo Sabres re-sign him. However, Cederqvist has the intangibles to be a complete player, so the final portion of this bold prediction postulates that he will lead this trio in scoring.
(Lineup information provided by Natural Stat Trick)