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The prospect most likely to make the Sabres roster

Theo

The Buffalo Sabres have been adding to their prospect pool for years, and several of them, including Zach Benson, Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, Ryan Johnson and Devon Levi, got a taste of NHL action last season. Under Calder Trophy eligibility, Benson, Johnson and Levi went from rookie to NHL player status. Rosen, Kulich and Rousek are expected to start the season in Rochester of the AHL, with new competition at forward in first-round picks Noah Ostlund and Konsta Helenius potentially joining them.

Assuming the Sabres can sign center Peyton Krebs, Buffalo has 13 forwards on the active roster. However, they didn’t add a top-six forward to the roster as expected, leaving room for a top prospect to move up the roster on merit. That’s exactly what Zach Benson did after being selected 13th overall in last year’s draft, earning him an everyday spot on the team.

So which prospect has the best chance of following Benson’s lead and making the Sabres roster next season? Let’s unveil the top options.

Lukas Rousek

As a former sixth-round pick of the Sabres, Lukas Rousek is probably the least attractive prospect that could make the team. He finished the season with the big club, appearing in 15 games for the blue and gold last season.

Rousek has outplayed opponents to get where he is, an attribute that has always appealed to new head coach Lindy Ruff. He could supplant someone at the bottom of the lineup if he can show enough talent to fill a secondary scoring role. But as the Sabres restock their third and fourth lines with speed and physicality, he doesn’t quite fit the mold of an identity formed this offseason.

Probability: 2 out of 10

Noah Ostlund

In many ways, Noah Ostlund is the Sabres’ “forgotten” first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He was sandwiched between Matthew Savoie and Jiri Kulich in that draft and has played overseas in Sweden for the past two seasons as a Sabres prospect. The trade of Savoie as a top prospect to the Edmonton Oilers for center Ryan McLeod generated a lot of interest this summer. Kulich made an immediate impact as an 18-year-old in the AHL and has elevated his value over the past two seasons as a key contributor in Rochester.

Ostlund has shined most brightly at international tournaments, reminding the world why he is a top prospect. His last appearance with Team Sweden at the U20 World Junior Championships saw him score 10 points in seven games. He also had a strong offensive season in Vaxjo of the SHL, with 23 points in 38 games.

European players typically need a learning curve to play on tighter North American ice, making Ostlund less likely to make the Sabres roster. He’s much more likely to start the season in Rochester, ready to establish himself as one of the Sabres’ top prospects.

Probability: 1 in 10

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Isak Rosen

Isak Rosen tied for the team lead in points last season in Rochester, making him a prime candidate to be first on Buffalo’s radar. Combine that with his status as the 14th overall pick in the 2021 draft, and he’s the next first-round prospect up for promotion if the Sabres follow chronological order. After all, Dylan Cozens (2019) and Jack Quinn (2020) are established NHL players.

There is something raw about Rosen’s game, though. He hasn’t really performed internationally at Ostlund and has barely played in the SHL. Last season was a big step for the Swedish forward, but he needs to take another one to show he can produce in the faster-paced NHL.

Rosen is strictly a winger, so in addition to the other prospects, he will be competing with Benson, Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway for a midfield role. While he is faster, he falls into the same category as Rousek in terms of needing to break up the deadlock up front.

Probability: 1 in 10

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Helene Consta

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams described Konsta Helenius as a “true center” after drafting him 14th overall in late June. That puts Ostlund and Jiri Kulich as his direct competitors in the Sabres’ prospect pool. It also doesn’t give him much hope of making the Sabres roster with Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Ryan McLeod, Peyton Krebs and Sam Lafferty ahead of him at the position on the depth chart.

Helenius is mature despite his age, which could work in his favor as it did for Benson last season. In his draft year, he had 36 points in 51 games for Jukurit in Liiga, Finland’s top men’s league. Plus, he’s known for his defensive awareness and tenacity. That type of playmaking ability can make an immediate impact at any level. He’s a big 18-year-old and should be able to hold his own against the speed and physicality of NHL players.

If he can work his way onto the Sabres roster, McLeod could move to the left wing of the second line with Cozens and Quinn. Helenius could then center Benson and Zucker, which would give him some flexibility with the rest of the lineup given injuries throughout the season.

Probability: 2 out of 10

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Jiri Kulich

After breaking out as an 18-year-old with the Amerks, Jiri Kulich has emerged as a top-three prospect in the Sabres organization. Helenius may be the newest hot prospect in the pipeline, but Kulich has the positional flexibility and offensive attributes to make an immediate impact in Buffalo.

Aside from his ability to play center and wing, two factors increase Kulich’s chances of making the Sabres’ opening lineup. The first is the power play, where the Sabres need to find a permanent solution on the right flank opposite Thompson. JJ Peterka is the most likely candidate from last season, but Kulich has shown a knack for scoring from that spot with 16 power-play goals over the past two AHL seasons. Establishing another scoring threat on the unit could help revitalize the team’s success on the power play.

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Second, the Sabres haven’t been able to acquire a top-six forward. Moving up to fill the scoring vacancy might be the long-term solution anyway, and most prolific scorers find their way to the NHL in their third year after being drafted. If Kulich wants to become a top-six forward in the league, this is the season he needs to start showing it.

The Sabres will likely stick with the 13 forwards on the active roster, but surprises and injuries can occur in training camp. In that case, Kulich is the first in line to earn a permanent promotion.

Probability: 3 out of 10

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