The Buffalo Sabres recently traded 2019 first-round pick Ryan Johnson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a couple organizational depth pieces. It marked the end of a disappointing tenure for the defenseman, who never developed the offensive game necessary to stick at the NHL level.
Although it's far too soon to predict the same fate for prized prospect Radim Mrtka, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, concerns are certainly beginning to build about his offense.
Mrtka is scoreless through eight games with the Rochester Americans this season. It leaves him with just one point across 16 Amerks appearances counting two stints with the AHL club last year.
The 19-year-old Czechia native also struggled to generate scoring chances with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds in 2025-26. He recorded just one goal in 48 contests (including the playoffs) despite his size advantage at the junior level, though he did have 36 assists.
For comparison, fellow defenseman Daxon Rudolph (a 2026 Buffalo first-rounder) posted 105 points (37 goals and 68 assists) in 87 games with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders last season.
Mrtka and Rudolph are different styles of defender, with the current University of Denver standout having more offensive flair to his game. That's still a monster production gap between a pair of top-10 selections at the same position, especially since one was playing a post-draft year.
Not being able to consistently contribute on the score sheet doesn't completely eliminate a prospect's chances of reaching the NHL, but it does lower their maximum upside.
In addition, the Sabres understood there would probably be a little longer development curve with Mrtka, whose production has never quite matched his unique combination of size, skill and skating ability.
Buffalo has plenty of talent on the blue line at the NHL level, led by a top four of Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, Owen Power and Olen Zellweger. The franchise will also be hopeful Rudolph could make the jump to the pro game next season, adding to that stacked group.
So, the Sabres will maintain the capability to remain patient with Mrtka. Feeding him big minutes at the AHL level to see if he can eventually turn a corner in his development makes sense. He's showcased enough talent to believe a meaningful breakthrough is possible.
At some point, however, the two-way production will need to start matching his draft pedigree if the defenseman is going to become a key building block for Buffalo.
Could Radim Mrtka become a trade option for the Sabres?
Buffalo general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has been trying to make a big swing for awhile now. He had a deal in place for the St. Louis Blues' Colton Parayko at last season's trade deadline, but the veteran defenseman opted to activate his no-trade clause to block the move.
Kekalainen also tried to target Blues center Robert Thomas and, more recently, considered a blockbuster deal for Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who instead landed with the New Jersey Devils.
The Sabres' two biggest needs are clear: a first-line center, which is the most important spot to fill on the depth chart, and a goaltender.
If they eventually pull off a high-profile, win-now move to fill one (or both) of those holes, there's a decent chance Mrtka could be involved.
It all goes back to Buffalo's depth on defense. Dahlin, Samuelsson, Power, Zellweger and Louis Crevier are all signed for at least three seasons, and Rudolph will be under team control for an extended period once he reaches the pro level. That's already six defenders.
The Sabres also have other prospects, including Maxim Strbak, Gavin McCarthy, Adam Kleber and Luke Osburn, who are aiming to push toward the NHL within the next few years.
Does that mean Kekalainen should give up on Mrtka at baseline? Of course not. The tools are still there for him to ultimately emerge as a top-four defenseman and, even if he tops out as something closer to a third-pairing blueliner, there's still plenty of value there.
That said, at some point it becomes a numbers game. The Sabres have ample options on the back end with clear needs elsewhere on the roster. Something will likely have to give at some point, with the front office dealing from a position of strength to improve in other areas.
Mrtka should still carry plenty of value on the trade market if Kekalainen decides to travel down that road, either leading up to this season's trade deadline or in the future. If he's a player who could help Buffalo land a high-impact center, it's something that must be considered.
Otherwise, the Sabres will keep him with the Amerks and hope their patience pays off with the breakout they expected after selecting him last summer.
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