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The players who made the most progress in stock market during the Sabres development camp

Theo

The Buffalo Sabres development camp wrapped up today with the 3-on-3 tournament, capping off an overshadowed but fun week for prospects. Without the familiar names of prospects in the Sabres organization like Matthew Savoie, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen, there was an opportunity for the lesser-known prospects to shine. A handful of Sabres prospects did just that this week.

Helene Consta

Konsta Helenius, a first-round pick in the 2024 draft, was the center of attention all week. He didn’t disappoint, putting his hockey sense, playmaking, and defensive prowess on full display. While he wasn’t far ahead of the other prospects, he certainly controlled every drill, sequence, and gear change throughout camp. Having the cameras on you at all times can lead to undue criticism, but there wasn’t much to complain about other than what Helenius showed.

Helenius’ team choice this season remains uncertain, with Finland, Rochester and even Buffalo on the table. Regardless of where he ends up, the Finnish pivot will look to improve his game by playing against older guys. This will help him become a more complete player, develop his two-way game and contribute in more than just a scoring role.

As the best prospects always do, Helenius even provided a “wow” moment during the tournament’s penalty shootout.

Brodie Ziemer

Buffalo’s 2024 third-round pick, Brodie Ziemer, may have been the surprise of development camp. Ziemer’s most impressive asset is his shot, and he used it on numerous occasions to beat goalies. While some of his puck skills need to be refined, his shot is NHL-ready at 18.

The captain of the U.S. National Development Program’s under-18 team will head to the University of Minnesota for a few years to prepare for the professional world. If Ziemer gains more confidence with the puck on his stick in tight spaces, he could be a top-six pick with the 71st overall selection.

Ethan Miedema

Ethan Miedema stood out all week simply because of his size, but the three-on-three tournament showcased his skills. He scored three goals and added a shootout winner to send his team to the final. The fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft will return to Kingston, where he scored 18 goals and 41 points for the Frontenacs last season.

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Stiven Sardarian

A somewhat overlooked member of the quartet of Russian players selected in the 2021 draft, Stiven Sardarian found instant chemistry with Helenius in the three-on-three tournament. With Aleksandr Kisakov and Nikita Novikov already in Rochester, and Prokhor Poltapov in the KHL, Sardarian has also shown signs of a promising future.

His offensive talent and game awareness stood out, and he’ll look to take that to the next level as he searches for a new home in the NCAA this season.

Scott Ratzlaff

Scott Ratzlaff was by far the Sabres’ most impressive goaltender at development camp. His athleticism was on full display as he relied on his adjustments and reflexes to make quick saves. Ratzlaff isn’t afraid to spread out and use his flexibility, just like the greatest goaltender in team history.

Due to his style, there are concerns about his positioning and composure, as professional shooters know how to draw a goalie and open the net for themselves. Nonetheless, these are encouraging traits for the 2023 fifth-round pick.

Ratzlaff is expected to return to the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds this season.

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