Buffalo had 11 picks in 2021, including three first-round picks Savoie, Ostlund, and Kulich
The Buffalo Sabres were ranked as having the top prospect pool in the NHL according to the Athletic. This is partially the benefit of selecting so high in recent drafts, but the club has also appeared to have a keen eye for talent and has promising youngsters that they’ve selected in the lower rounds.
Here is a quick update on the players selected in 2022 not currently in the NHL:
Matthew Savoie – C - 9th overall
The Sabres top pick’s chances of making the NHL this season were derailed by an injury at the club’s prospect tournament in September. After missing a month on IR and a two-week conditioning stint in Rochester, Savoie made his NHL debut against Minnesota and played only five shifts, before being sent back to junior the next day.
Savoie did not have a great World Junior performance, with just one assist in four games for Canada, but has excelled with both Wenatchee and after being traded to Moose Jaw in January, with 71 points (30 goals, 41 assists) in 34 games. The 20-year-old has 15 points (5 goals, 10 assists) in the last six games, as the Warriors take on Brandon in the first round of the WHL Playoffs.
Noah Ostlund – C – 16th overall
Ostlund thrived in a top-line role, playing under pressure and in the spotlight at the World Juniors in Sweden, with 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in seven games. The 20-year-old center is also a solid contributor for Vaxjo, with 23 points (12 goals, 11 assists) in 38 games. Vaxjo could make a long run in the SHL Playoffs, which could delay him joining Rochester for a Calder Cup run this spring.
Jiri Kulich - C – 28th overall
It was thought that Kulich did not have much to prove at the World Junior after scoring seven goals for Czechia last year and scoring 24 goals in the American Hockey League as a rookie, but the 19-year-old was once again a standout, leading the tournament with 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in seven games and helping his country win a bronze medal, but the 19-year-old went through a post-World Junior coma, as he scored one goal in 20 games before scoring six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in the last five games.
Topias Leinonen– G – 41st overall
The big 20-year-old Finn has lost most of this season due to injury, playing just eight games between his Liiga club (JyP) and KeuPa in the second-level Mestis league, but Leinonen is getting some playing time in the J20 playoffs.
Viktor Neuchev – LW – 74th overall
After playing a full season in the KHL with Ekaterinburg Automobilst, Neuchev came to North America and started in Rochester in a depth role, but as he has gained experience his role with the Amerks has increased. In 47 games, the 20-year-old has 26 points (10 goals,16 assists), but over the last seven games, the Russian winger has hit his stride averaging a point-per-game (3 goals, 4 assists).
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