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The Buffalo Sabres need to recall Jiri Kulich from Rochester

By Sion Fawkes

Sep 28, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (20) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (2) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich (20) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (2) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres need to create a spark offensively and for their power play, and Jiri Kulich could help them out in that regard.

Before I go any further, this is not an endorsement to bring Jiri Kulich up full-time, but until Jack Quinn returns, it wouldn’t hurt the Buffalo Sabres to give the 19-year-old his chance for a few games. While Kulich didn’t separate himself during training camp and the preseason, he’s shown a lot of improvement throughout most of the Rochester Americans first 12 games to warrant consideration.

Kulich’s defensive game still needs work, but it’s vastly improved from last season, and that improvement, along with his remarkable shot, should be enough to convince us that he can handle a few games in the City of Good Neighbors. Some will argue he needs another year in Rochester, and I will also argue that he should spend most of the season over there: But would he seriously fare any worse than Victor Olofsson at this point?

It’s time for the Buffalo Sabres to give Jiri Kulich a chance with the big club

While Olofsson graded rather well among his Sabres teammates in last night’s shutout loss, he’s still holding the third-lowest grade among full-time skaters in a Sabres uniform, with only Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton (a pair of newcomers) faring worse, per Hockey Stat Cards. And this isn’t to say Kulich will be any better; perhaps he gets his chance and is immediately reverted elsewhere, much like the Blue and Gold did to Matt Savoie this past Saturday.

But following an abysmal performance last night against Pittsburgh and with injuries affecting the lineup, and with Kulich dominating in Rochester (sans last night), he more than deserves an opportunity. Kulich is one of only a handful of players to appear in all 12 games for the Amerks this season, recording 13 points, nine goals, and four assists in that span.

Hot. 3 major issues that led to the Buffalo Sabres loss against Pittsburgh. light

Overall, there is little reason to not give Kulich a chance, especially with the way the Buffalo Sabres have been forced to recall prospects during the early stages of 2023-24. So far, they have seen Ryan Johnson, Matt Savoie, Zach Benson, Lukas Rousek, and Brandon Biro dress in blue and gold uniforms, so perhaps considering Kulich isn’t so far-fetched.

(Statistics provided by theAHL.com)

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