Buffalo Sabres prospect Isak Rosen scored 105 points in 128 games for the AHL's Rochester Americans over the past two seasons. So, the 2021 first-round pick seemed like an ideal candidate to help replace JJ Peterka in the team's lineup to open the 2025-26 season.
Instead, the Sabres opted to return Rosen to the Amerks in favor of underwhelming veterans like Justin Danforth, Beck Malenstyn and Mason Geertsen. It caused the 22-year-old Sweden native to arrive back to the AHL with a chip on his shoulder.
"Just excited to play and kind of show that Buffalo was wrong and stuff like that," Rosen told Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald.
Buffalo proceeded to continue to overlook its top prospects after top-line center Josh Norris suffered an injury that'll sideline him at least eight weeks. The front office recalled Josh Dunne rather than Rosen, Noah Ostlund or Konsta Helenius.
It's a debatable strategy, especially given how listless the Sabres looked on offense looked during their three-game losing streak to open the campaign. They did explode for eight goals in their win over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, though.
Isak Rosen aiming to earn a permanent NHL call up to the Buffalo Sabres in the near future
Rosen is off to a hot start in Rochester with two goals and an assist in the AHL club's first two games. Next up for the Amerks is a pair of road games against the Utica Comets and Syracuse Crunch.
The 5-foot-11 winger admitted he probably "could've done more" during the preseason to earn a spot with the Sabres, but now he's focused on dominating in the minors.
"Just trying to show that I can be too good for this level, I think, and do it consistently," Rosen told Hoppe. "And I think I did it a lot last year, but it's more than just points and stuff like that. It's being hard on pucks and being hard to play against, and I think that's a thing that I'm trying to do better this year, too."
Becoming more dependable in his own zone is undoubtedly the most pressing matter for Rosen, whose offensive skill is on display every night. His defending, especially in terms of winning puck battles along the wall, has needed some work.
He did make some strides in that area during the second half of last season, and he continued to impress in the playoffs with five goals in eight postseason contests. Now it comes down to a more complete defensive effort on a night-to-night basis.
Meanwhile, the Sabres' front office received a brief reprieve from criticism thanks to the victory over Ottawa, but it'll return quickly if that doesn't turn into more sustained winning.
The offense in particularly looked completely feable in the early going and, if that becomes the case again, it'll be time for general manager Kevyn Adams to seriously consider calling up a prospect like Rosen, who's capable of bringing more offensive punch to the lineup.
For now, the Swedish winger is motivated to prove he's ready to put the AHL in his rearview mirror for good.