Earlier this morning, the Buffalo Sabres officially brought over one of their top forward prospects to North America, announcing that Anton Wahlberg has been assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Wahlberg recently wrapped up his season with the Malmö Redhawks of the SHL after his team failed to qualify for the 2023-24 SHL playoffs.
Drafted 39th overall by the Sabres in the 2023 NHL Draft, Wahlberg has shown decent production for an 18-year-old at the SHL level, as well as in international events. Scoring five goals and 10 points for the Redhawks this season, Wahlberg also chipped in one goal and three points for Team Sweden in the most recent IIHF World Junior Championships, en route to a silver medal finish.
At still such a young age, it is tough to ascertain exactly where Wahlberg will end up in the Sabres lineup, but has shown the makings of an above-average third-line center. Having a key ability to hold on to the puck, Wahlberg has the capabilities to extend possession for his teams, as well as work the puck into the offensive zone.
Now moving to the AHL, Wahlberg will have the opportunity to help the Americans in their playoff hunt. Currently tied with the Toronto Marlies for third in the North Division, the Americans are right on the cusp of being a top-three team in their division, which would automatically bypass them into the Division Semifinals of the Calder Cup playoffs.
I traveled to Malmö to watch Anton along with another Sabres prospect (Noah Östlund, Växjö Lakers). Being of Irish extraction, I am accustomed to being lucky, and I was gifted with a seat near Anton Wahlberg’s dad. He told me that the Sabres wanted him in N. America.
I strongly suspect that they want to bring Östlund over to acclimate to the smaller ice. Växjö is one of the top teams in the SEL, so that will delay things.
Anton is the complete package, with one deficiency that needs work*. He has an air about his game that screams “legit NHL prospect”. He’ll need to add weight, but virtually all teenagers are in that boat.
Anton is, at best, an average skater. That’s not a serious challenge for many prospects. But, how quickly he improves – how much better he gets – will determine his future. He could be a fearsome 3rd line PF for many years, or he could be an AHL for life type player. Based on looking at his dad (a former player) and Anton’s panache, I expect a sanguine outcome.
This is * – perhaps obviously – my opinion. But Wahlberg is an exciting player and will be a nice addition for the Amerks. I think it’ll take at least a year to get his skating (& growing) up to NHL standards. But he’s a prospect worth monitoring.
I think Noah Östlund is much more likely than Anton to be a future 3C for the Sabres. I think Anton projects as a winger.
Feel the same way Brother. Pretty neat that you got to go to Sweden to watch in person.
I retired to Portugal and one big motivation for going here was access to Euro hockey. (I had depleted the venues in the USA & Can.)