With so much trade talk going on, both the logical and the illogical, prospects sometimes get lost in the mix. But these potential future NHLers will pique the interest of some organizations as they look to build with at least a little thought of the future or to acquire some B-prospects as possible trade bait.
None of the prospects you’ll find below will play in the NHL soon, or at least logic would think that wouldn’t be the case. Instead, should the Sabres send an NHLer to a powerhouse organization, they’ll include one of the three players listed below as an ‘add-on.’
Noah Ostlund
Noah Ostlund is slowly proving he’s light years away from even debuting in the NHL, barring some unforeseen opportunity. But he hasn’t caught on to the same extent as other European players like Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen, both of whom have given the organization more-than-favorable returns.
Instead, Ostlund’s given the Amerks eight points and three goals in 19 games this season. Yeha, he recently enjoyed a strong showing, but I’m talking about the entire body of work here. Meanwhile, another European player in his first season in North America, Anton Wahlberg, had more than doubled Ostlund’s output prior to Rochester’s win over the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Wahlberg hasn’t been outstanding, but six goals and 12 points in 31 games has shown us he possesses way more potential and readiness for the North American game than Ostlund. That said, Ostlund’s the one who needs a change of scenery.
Aleksandr Kisakov
Slow progress in the past and missing a few months this season might spell the end for Aleksandr Kisakov. While neither he nor any of the other two players listed will help another organization’s big club out immediately, it’s Kisakov’s potential that would entice other clubs.
It’s only his third season in North America, and when healthy, Kisakov has given the Amerks some good returns this year. But his lack of development and status as a late-bloomer has caused a horde of prospects to either pass or threaten to pass him on the organizational depth chart.
If the Sabres moved someone like, say, Dylan Cozens, Kisakov could be an add-on to that particular deal.
Vsevolod Komarov
Komarov was one player I wasn’t interested in adding to this list, but if we’re talking prospects in a trade to a contender that may want a mid-level AHLer to hoard for the future, Komarov was the odd man out.
Nikita Novikov and Ryan Johnson carry too much value and I could only see Adams trading them away if he strikes a deal with the team that needs some higher-level talent on the blue line quickly.
But what kept me from adding them was that both could fill immediate needs in Buffalo next season should we see Adams move a couple of them.