The Buffalo Sabres announced their 26-player roster for the upcoming 2025 Prospects Challenge, which will take place at the team's LECOM Harborcenter practice facility. The Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins are also taking part in the event.
Here's a look at the Sabres' prospect squad:
Forwards | ||
|---|---|---|
Noah Ostlund | Konsta Helenius | Isak Rosen |
Viktor Neuchev | Anton Wahlberg | Oliver Nadeau |
Matteo Costantini | Riley Fiddler-Schultz | Tyler Kopff |
Matous Kucharcik | Melvin Novotny | Ryan Rucinski |
Redmond Savage | Ashton Schultz | |
Defensemen | ||
Vsevolod Komarov | Radim Mrtka | |
Nikita Novikov | David Bedkowski | |
Simon-Pier Brunet | Isaac Belliveau | |
Luke Dragusica | Noah Laberge | |
Goalies | ||
Topias Leinonen | Scott Ratzlaff | |
Ryerson Leenders | Samuel Meloche |
Buffalo will play three games during the tournament:
Friday, Sept. 12 vs. New Jersey (7 p.m. ET)
Saturday, Sept. 13 vs. Columbus (7 p.m. ET)
Monday, Sept. 15 vs. Pittsburgh (12 p.m. ET)
Let's take a look at three players to keep an eye on as the Sabres prepare to kick off training camp ahead of their first preseason game Sept. 22 against the Blue Jackets.
Isak Rosen (Forward)
This may be a make-or-break season for Rosen, at least in terms of his Buffalo tenure. It's not a promising sign that his name hasn't generated much buzz as the Sabres desperately try to fill a top-six void following the trade of JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth.
Rosen is coming off a strong third season with the AHL's Rochester Americans. The winger recorded 55 points (28 points and 27 assists) in 61 appearances. He also chipped in five goals in eight games during the Amerks' playoff run.
The 2021 first-round pick's all-around game hasn't made enough progress to believe he's ready to stick in the NHL on a full-time basis, though. He'll need to showcase aggressive progress in the neutral and defensive zones to earn serious consideration during Sabres camp.
Radim Mrtka (Defenseman)
Buffalo's first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft is likely going to spend another season with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds. He was impressive during his first season in North American junior hockey, tallying 35 points (three goals and 32 assists) in 43 games.
The Sabres need a long-term solution alongside Rasmus Dahlin on the top pair, with Bowen Byram's future still unsettled. Mrtka possesses all the tools with the size (6'6''), strength and skating ability to eventually fill that crucial lineup spot.
His performance during the Prospects Challenge and training camp will given Buffalo's coaching staff a better idea of how far he is from NHL ready. The ideal scenario is for Mrtka to make the jump next year while using Byram in a blockbuster trade for a forward.
Topias Leinonen (Goalie)
The Sabres knew Leinonen would require a longer development runway when they selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. He's still at least a few years away from the NHL, but the signs of progress are finally starting to show through.
He's coming off a breakout campaign with Sweden's Mora IK. The 6-foot-5 Finnish netminder posted a 2.31 goals against average and .910 save percentage across 25 regular-season appearances. He also compiled a 2.18 GAA and .929 SV% in six playoff games.
Now he'll spend the next month of Sabres/Amerks camp competing with Scott Ratzlaff for the AHL backup role behind top prospect Devon Levi, who won't take part in the tournament. The goalie who loses out on the spot will likely operate as the starter for the ECHL's Jacksonville Icemen in 2025-26.