Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund knows the road to earn an NHL roster spot will feature plenty of competition, so the 2022 first-round draft pick wants to make his presence known during the Prospects Challenge, which starts Friday night, to set the stage for training camp.
"To do my best, make a good impression on all the coaches and all the staff and play my best hockey," Ostlund told Justin Alpert of Sabres.com on Thursday. "It's gonna be tough days, but I want to make an impact on every day."
The 21-year-old Sweden native made his NHL debut last season but failed to record a point in his first eight appearances with the Sabres. Now he's aiming to show he belongs in the world's best hockey league on a full-time basis.
"I didn't come over here to play AHL. I want to be in the NHL one day," Ostlund said.
Reviewing Ostlund's development journey
The 5-foot-11 forward is often overlooked among Sabres prospects because he doesn't have a singular standout trait. He possesses average size, a decent shot and won't blow past opponents with game-changing speed. He's just a solid all-around player with a high hockey IQ.
So, it's not a surprise his first full season with the AHL's Rochester Americans was characterized more by his defensive awareness than eye-popping point totals. He was often thrust into difficult matchups against an opponent's top line, and he typically handled those assignments well.
That's not to say Ostlund can't pile up some points. He recorded 19 goals and 17 assists across 45 appearances for the Amerks last season. It represented solid production for a player's debut campaign in North America, but pure scoring will never be his calling card.
Instead, the product of Djurgardens IF's development system in Sweden has a chance to crack the Sabres lineup because of his terrific versatility.
Ostlund can play in any situation and he's capable of playing center or wing. He's also earned some big-game experience, both for Rochester in the AHL playoffs and for the Swedish national team, which he helped lead to a silver medal in the 2024 World Juniors with 10 points in seven games.
For a Sabres forward group with so many question marks, a player who can fill a variety of different roles has an inside track over his fellow prospects.
Analyzing Ostlund's 2025-26 season outlook
Ostlund will open Sabres training camp on the outside looking in at a roster spot simply because of the numbers game. Buffalo already has 13 forwards battling for 12 spots in the Opening Night lineup without even factoring in the next wave of prospects.
That said, it's always possible injuries will arise to create an opportunity and, at least in the sense, the well-rounded forward has a chance to solidify himself as that "next man up."
It starts with having a great showing in the Prospect Challenge, which is hosted by the Sabres. They will play three games over the next four days, starting with Friday's clash with prospects from the New Jersey Devils.
All-prospect events are always important because it's a way for a player to prove they are substantially further along in their development than other young players. Even if they don't score at a high rate, it's possible to show a gap in performance simply by the strength of their shifts.
If Ostlund can do that, then he'll set the stage to receive ample ice time during the preseason to show he's made legitimate progress over the summer. Adding more strength to his frame was the most important thing on his offseason to-do list.
Ultimately, Ostlund is getting close to an NHL role, regardless of what happens over the next month. Even if he open the campaign with the Amerks, he'll likely be among the first players called up when injuries strike or certain forwards underperform.
Everything about his game suggests he'll be a solid middle-six piece for a long time in Buffalo.