Buffalo Sabres Prospect Update – 2021 and 2022 Draftees

Here is a quick update of the prospects the Sabres who are not currently in the NHL:

Prokhor Poltapov – LW - 33rd overall in 2021 

The Sabres have indicated that the 23-year-old winger is in their plans once his KHL deal has elapsed after this season. This is Poltapov’s fifth season with CSKA Moscow, where he played mostly a depth role in his first two years. The last two seasons, the St. Petersburg native has scored 40 points. This season, he is on pace to set a career-high, as he leads CSKA with 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) in 23 games.  

Topias Leinonen– G – 41st overall - 2022

With Devon Levi gone, it was expected that the big 22-year-old Finn would share duties with Scott Ratzlaff with the Amerks, but an injury in off-season training has found the big netminder on injured reserve. The Sabres added minor leaguers Matt Villalta and Talyn Boyko to the fold, sending Ratzlaff to play with ECHL Orlando.  Once healthy, Buffalo loaned out Leinonen to another ECHL club, the Idaho Steelheads, where he is 0-2-1, with a 3.92 GAA and .900 save % in three games. 

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Mrtka Looking To Take The Next Step Towards The NHL 

Vsevolod Komarov D - 134th overall - 2022

Komarov appears to be settling in as more of a physical, right-handed blueliner with the Amerks, rather than the offensive defenseman he was in the QMJHL In his first two pro seasons, the 22-year-old posted 29 points (6 goals, 23 assists) and 145 penalty minutes in 124 games. This season, he has four assists and 39 penalty minutes in 11 games for Rochester. 

Jake Richard - RW - 170th overall - 2022 

The Jacksonville, FL, native is making the transition from the NCAA to the professional game, which is always filled with ups and downs. Richard put up excellent numbers in his sophomore season at Connecticut, where he averaged over a point per game (15 goals, 28 assists in 34 games). His numbers dropped as a junior (27 points). The 22-year-old has six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 11 games, but has been scoreless in his last three games. 

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