The Buffalo Sabres have made a habit of icing one of the youngest rosters in the NHL on an annual basis, and they're on track to maintain that trend in 2025-26. At some point, however, the switch must flip toward making trades for proven veteran players who can help the franchise win now.
Buffalo features several prospects with the AHL's Rochester Americans who are either NHL ready or getting close to that distinction. There simply isn't enough space for all of them to occupy full-time roles with the Sabres in the near future.
In turn, general manager Kevyn Adams should be trying to leverage that young, cost-controlled talent as part of his continued search for a bona fide top-six forward. It's an acquisition that should happen no later than the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
Isak Rosen
Rosen has showcased steady offensive progress across three years with the Amerks. The winger recorded 55 points (28 goals and 27 assists) across 61 appearances in 2024-25. He also lit the lamp five times in eight playoff games.
The 22-year-old Swede hasn't made the same type of exponential improvements defensively, however, and the Sabres have been hesitant to elevate prospects without some sandpaper to their game. In addition, he's listed at 180 pounds but appeared lighter late last season.
Ultimately, it says a lot that Buffalo has a clear need in its top-six forward group entering this season but there's been little talk about Rosen potentially earning the spot. While that could change with a strong training camp and preseason, it's unlikely.
The 2021 first-round pick still carries value because of his draft pedigree and nearly point-per-game production in the AHL, but it's starting to feel like his long-term NHL future isn't in Buffalo.
Noah Ostlund
Ostlund is still highly touted — he ranked No. 74 on a new list of top NHL prospects released by Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis on Monday — but he hasn't made the type of significant strides you'd expect by a first-round pick from 2022.
The center tallied 19 goals and 17 helpers across 45 games for the Amerks last season. The playmaking ability he frequently displayed during his time playing in Sweden hasn't translated to North America so far, though. It's capped his offensive upside.
That was on display during an eight-game stint with the Sabres last year. He didn't record any points and generated just four shots on goal. The sample size was far too small to make any definitive statements, of course, but he didn't look confident in the attacking zone.
Ostlund still has ample untapped potential, and his solid defensive instincts give him another path to the NHL if his offensive game reaches another level, but he's no longer in the untradeable category for Buffalo.
Ryan Johnson
Johnson is reaching the point where most players graduate from prospect lists at age 24. He's emerged as a capable defender and solid transition puck-mover for Rochester, but there are a couple factors that'll probably prevent him from sticking with the Sabres.
First, he's a left-shot defenseman within organization overloaded with them. Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram, Mattias Samuelsson, Jacob Bryson and Zac Jones are all ahead of him on the left-side depth chart to open 2025-26.
Second, his lack of offensive production is a concern. He posted just 13 points (two goals and 11 assists) in 66 games for the Amerks last season, and that lack of impact continued in the postseason with only one point in eight contests.
Johnson could eventually find success as a No. 7 defenseman, but given how deep the Sabres are at the position the University of Minnesota product is probably best off getting a fresh start elsewhere.