Buffalo's talent shines in IIHF World Championships
The 2024 IIHF World Championships concluded yesterday as Team Czechia won the gold medal against Team Switzerland. For everyone who isn't aware of the World Championships, it's basically the Olympics, but the World Championships are strictly hockey only.
Regarding the Buffalo Sabres, they were well represented in the tournament as six players represented the blue and gold. Team Canada consisted of forward Dylan Cozens, as well as defensemen Owen Power and Bowen Byram. JJ Peterka was on Team Germany while Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Olofsson were on Team Sweden.
In this article, we're going to take a look at how each member of the Sabres did in the tournament.
JJ Peterka
JJ Peterka is the first player we will talk about. In eight games played, the German forward scored five goals and registered four assists. Peterka was a +2 in the tournament and led the Germans in the notable offensive categories, including in points (9). Even though JJ and his country left the tournament empty handed, he performed well and looked like the player Sabres fans saw this year.
When it comes to playing in the blue and gold, Peterka is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign. He scored 28 goals while recording 22 assists in all 82 games played. After scoring 12 goals in his rookie year and finishing with 32 points in 77 games played, JJ took a leap forward this season.
His 50 points this year was fourth best on Buffalo. Just every team in the tournament, Team Germany has NHL players with players who play in international leagues. It was mostly players who are not in the NHL as Peterka was one of five players on Germany who play in the NHL.
It was good to see JJ perform well in the tournament, and I can't wait to see what he does in his NHL career.
Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Olofsson
Up next is Team Sweden, who took home bronze in the World Championships. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and presumably to be former Sabres forward Victor Olofsson were a part of a predominately NHL roster. Sweden is a powerhouse in terms of hockey, as they have produced some talented players.
Starting off with Olofsson, he finished the tournament with one goal and three assists in nine games played. He was also a +1. As for Dahlin, he registered two goals and seven assists in the same amount of games where he was a +4. It looks like Olofsson will not be back next season, so let's talk about Rasmus.
This year with Buffalo, he was tied for first on the team in points (59) with 20 goals and 39 assists in 81 games played. Rasmus kept his scoring ways going for Sweden as he left the tournament with a bronze medal after beating three of his teammates who we will talk about next.
Dylan Cozens, Bowen Byram and Owen Power
Just like Team Sweden, Team Canada is another powerhouse in hockey tournaments. Looking at their roster, it is ALL NHL players. It's mind boggling that this team couldn't even win a medal. Coming off a rough season with Buffalo, Dylan Cozens shined in the tournament.
In 10 games played, the Workhorse from Whitehorse scored nine goals and registered two assists and was a +3. He was 6th in the tournament in points (11) but his nine goals led the tournament in that category. As for Owen Power, he had a goal and five assists in 10 games played. He was +3 while Bowen Byram was a +7 with a goal and four assists.
In conclusion...
It was good to see Dylan do well after a tough season with the Sabres. If Buffalo wants to be successful, they're going to need all the players in this article to play well as a group along with the rest of the Sabres roster.
They have the young talent. Now it's time to take the next step.
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