4 Buffalo Sabres prospects who made a statement in the Prospect Challenge

The Buffalo Sabres finished up the Prospect Challenge on Monday with another loss by the final score of 6-3 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the three games, the Sabres were not able to secure a win, losing all three by a combined score of 17-10.

As good as wins would be good to see, the biggest takeaways from these types of tournaments is individual performances. For the Sabres, they had a number of first-round picks playing in this tournament and were hoping players like Konsta Helenius and Isak Rosen would make their presence known.

Neither of those top prospects did, but these were four players who put together notable performances that should help them carry momentum into training camp, which begins later this week.

Radim Mrtka

The Buffalo Sabres got a chance to see Radim Mrtka in a game with the team since drafting him in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. He didn't waste any time in the tournament as he had the first goal for the Sabres in the game against the Devils and added an assist in the game against the Blue Jackets.

It was good to see, as this is not something that he is really known for with his game. He is a big defenseman and showed off the physicality as well with this hit in the game against Columbus.

He is still a few years away from the NHL and should play in the WHL this upcoming season but this is a great performance for a first impression with the Sabres.

Riley Fiddler-Schultz

Riley Fiddler-Schultz signed as an undrafted free agent two years ago with the Buffalo Sabres. After solid performances in the ECHL and AHL, he signed another two-year contract this summer with the team. He continues to make the most of his opportunities as he had two goals in the game against Columbus, which would be the first goal of the game and the last goal with one second left in the third period.

It is notable that Fiddler-Schultz, who is surrounded by former first-round picks, continues to make his presence known on the ice. He had 26 points in the regular season with Rochester and three points in eight playoff games.

The Sabres have a lot of depth, so it is tough for a player like Riley Fiddler-Schultz to make it to the NHL, but if he continues to play like he has, it wouldn't be overly surprising.

Red Savage

Savage was a fourth-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2021 NHL Draft but signed an AHL contract with the Sabres this summer. This was not only his first time on the ice with the Sabres organization but also his first time on the ice in over nine months.

Last season, he played in the NCAA at Michigan State but saw his season cut short due to a shoulder injury. This would be his first time back on the ice, and in the second game of the tournament, he scored his first goal.

Mike Leone, who is coaching the Sabres in this tournament, had this to say about Savage after the game:

""I thought Red [Savage} was our best player tonight,” Leone said after the Sabres prospects’ 7-5 loss. “I thought he was relentless."

Savage is in a similar position as Fiddler-Schultz, in that. he isn't necessarily a top prospect but out-played some of the Sabres tough prospects in this tournament. He will return to the AHL this season but depending on how he plays, he could earn an NHL call up at some point.

Isaac Belliveau

Another player who was seeing his first action with the Buffalo Sabres and made a great first impression was defenseman Isaac Belliveau. He joined the Sabres in June as part of the trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins that also brought them Connor Timmons.

In the three games, he would have one assist and one goal, which was a beautiful one-timer against his former team.

Last season, Belliveau split time between the ECHL and AHL, but should be a full-time player with Rochester this season. The Sabres are deep on their blue line, so it is unlikely that he will be up in the NHL anytime soon, but this was a great first start with the new organization.