Buffalo had 11 picks in 2022, including three first-rounders
Buffalo had 11 picks in 2022, including three first-rounders
The Buffalo Sabres are considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL. 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 Moose Jaw in the WHL, with 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 17 games.
Noah Ostlund – C – 16th overall
Unlike Savoie, Ostlund thrived in a top-line role, playing under pressure and in the spotlight at the WJC at home, with 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) in seven games. The 19-year-old Swede is also a solid contributor for first-place Vaxjo in the SHL, with 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 24 games.
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 is going through a post-WJC hangover, as he has just two assists in seven games with Rochester since returning from Sweden.
Topias Leinonen– G – 41st overall
The big 19-year-old Finn has been recovering from an injury since September but made his return at the under-20 level last week. Leinonen was expected to be one of the two goalies for Finland at the WJC, but was sent by his Liiga club to KeuPa in the second-level Mestis league, where he is winless in two starts.
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 29 games, the 20-year-old has 16 points (6 goals and 10 assists), but 10 of those points have come in the New Year, including a three-point outing against Laval on Saturday.
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