With Tyson Kozak out for the rest of the season with a hip injury, Noah Ostlund was officially called up from Rochester.
The 21-year-old has been on a hot streak for the Americans scoring nine goals and five assists for 14 points in March. Those 11 games earned him AHL Rookie of the Month honors. He was also AHL Player of the Week near the end of March.
Overall, Ostlund has 19 goals and 17 assists, good for 36 points in 44 games. He also has one of the best plus-minus on the team, sitting currently at +20.
Ruff has been getting good reports about Ostlund. As he discussed in an interview with MSN.
“It’s been nothing but good, the way he’s played, the way he’s defended, how well he’s operated with the puck, he’s put together a real good year down there.”
“I think players need that time. It’s a hardness that you have to get, and sometimes playing down there is harder than playing up here and he’s navigated that path pretty well.”
Ostlund is only in his first season in the AHL, as he came over from the SHL last year. There are some different rules in European hockey, including the size of ice, and the restricted areas behind the net.
Ostlund has adjusted well to the American rules of hockey and has been a top player in Rochester this year. He will be looked at as a valuable part of both teams. As he looks to end the year in Buffalo, but also finds himself back in Rochester for the AHL playoffs.
Ostlund skated on the fourth line Friday with Beck Malenstyn and Sam Lafferty. Ruff indicated that he was placed there due to not mixing up his other three lines and not overwhelming a younger Ostlund against a veteran lineup like the Lighting.
As someone who has followed Ostlund in the AHL this year, I think this kid can be another top player with the Sabres at some point. Isak Rosen and Ostlund make a tremendous duo, and they are both almost ready for the NHL level. Many people forget Ostlund was the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft. They got that pick from the Vegas Golden Knights in the trade for Jack Eichel.
That trade continues to pay dividends for the Sabres years later, and I won’t be surprised if Ostlund has a shot at the Calder next year.