Buffalo ranked 14th in the NHL in The Athletic’s annual list of players 23 and under
The Buffalo Sabres are depending on a number of their young prospects under the age of 23 to take a big step next season, in hopes that they will make up the gap created by the departure of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram. GM Jarmo Kekalainen has inherited a promising group assembled by former GM Kevyn Adams, and according to Corey Pronman’s annual prospect pipeline rankings in The Athletic, the group has stayed about the same compared to other NHL clubs since last season.
The Sabres prospect pipeline was ranked 13th last season after selecting defenseman Radim Mrtka ninth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. After adding a top-five blueliner in fourth overall pick, Daxon Rudolph, the club’s prospect group was ranked 14th.
The list is not without its controversies, especially when it comes to 21-year-old Sabres fan favorite Zach Benson. After Rudolph, forward Jiri Kulich is ranked second, followed by Mrtka, who will start next season with AHL Rochester. Kulich played just 12 games before being shut down for the season due to a blood clot issue, but has shown signs of having the skill to be a top-six forward.
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Centers Noah Ostlund – ranked fourth after scoring 27 points in 60 games with the Sabres - and Konsta Helenius – ranked fifth after tallying nearly a point per game with the Amerks last season - also show promise but have not yet firmly established themselves in the NHL.
All are ranked higher than Benson, who was ranked second in 2025, completed his third NHL season before the age of 21, compiled 43 points (13 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games, and was a driving force in the Sabres playoff run.
All rankings are subjective, but it is puzzling how Benson is not ranked either first or second behind Rudolph, based on the variety of uncertainties that Kulich, Mrtka, Ostlund, and Helenius have.
The other glaring ranking is University of Minnesota winger Brodie Ziemer, coming off an impressive 23-goal junior season being 13th, behind 2026 first-rounder Ilia Morozov, fourth-round pick Olivers Murnieks (both who will be playing for Miami (OH) University), and defensive prospect Gavin McCarthy.
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