Buffalo had 11 picks in 2021, including top overall pick Owen Power
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 2021 not currently in the NHL:
Olivier Nadeau – RW – 97th overall
A big scoring winger in the QMJHL, Nadeau did not get into the Amerks lineup until November 1, but in his third professional game, the 20-year-old scored his first professional goal vs. Syracuse. After five games with Rochester, the Sabres loaned Nadeau to the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, where he has scored nine goals in 32 games. After being recalled to the Amerks, Nadeau was sent back to Florida to make way for 2023 pick Anton Wahlberg.
Viljami Marjala – LW – 159th overall
The 21-year-old returned to Finland after two seasons in the QMJHL to play for TPS in the SM-Liiga. After playing part-time last season, Marjala is leading his club in scoring with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games, which could be a determining factor to whether the Sabres want to sign him to an entry-level contract and bring him to North America.
William Von Barnekow – C – 161st overall
Von Barnekow is out of the SHL’s Malmo Redhawks junior system and averaged over a point per game in his draft year and the following year at the junior level, but the 21-year-old has struggled to generate any offense as a professional last season, due in part to limited ice time. This season, the big center has doubled his point total (12) in 48 games.
Nikita Novikov – D – 188th overall
After playing two years with Dynamo Moscow in the KHL, the 6’3”, 207 lb. blueliner came to North America and thus far has adjusted well with the Rochester Americans, registering 18 points (2 goal, 16 assists) in 55 games. With his size and professional experience at just 20 years old, Novikov has to be considered a good long range blueline prospect who could get a serious look as a bottom pairing option next season.
Tyson Kozak – C – 193rd overall
There are not many players who are picked in the seventh round and start in the pros as a 19-year-old. Kozak went from the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks to the Amerks last season as mostly a depth role player. This year in 38 games, he has 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists). Kozak has missed time with a lower-body injury, but is back and has two points in his last three games.
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