Rookie blueliner aces the Sabres Top 24 and under players and prospects in Tier V

19: Anton Wahlberg, F/Malmo/Rochester

Someone like Vsevolod Komarov would make a great puzzle piece in a trade, and Anton Wahlberg is in that same category. But wow, he would be a massive loss. At 6’3, 194 lbs, Wahlberg still has a few years to grow into his frame. And while there are no guarantees, he’s someone who could wind up as a power forward, and it’s something the Sabres can use. 

Some of their top forwards, whom we’ll talk about in later posts, don’t have that same potential, and the only real reason Wahlberg isn’t listed higher stems from his overall lack of experience in the North American game. Plus, there’s the fact he didn’t make much of an impact in the SHL with Malmo this past year - 10 points and five goals in 43 games. 

But Wahlberg played well during his first nine regular season games with the Rochester Americans, logging one goal and four points, and he also has a playoff goal through two contests through May 1st. 

With the Sabres sitting with a higher sense of urgency in Act II of the Lindy Ruff Era, there will be some transactions, and it would be tough for a team looking to move talent to overlook him if they need more assets in their prospects pool. But this isn’t March 2023, so it’s far more acceptable to part ways with prospects if the right trading partner comes along.