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Young Faces Hold The Key To Sabres’ Future Success

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The Buffalo Sabres face their final seven games of the season well outside of the playoff conversation. It’s been a disappointing year for one of the league’s hottest teams at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. Nobody has stepped up, with Tage Thompson not yet at 50 points after scoring 94 last year; Devon Levi struggling to hold onto the starter’s net amid less-than-flattering competition; and the defense continuing to falter when faced with too much pressure.

The down-year has forced general manager Kevyn Adams to part with important morale pieces, sending team captain Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers and former Colorado Avalanche assistant captain Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers. And the Sabres might’ve moved even more veterans, with Zemgus Girgensons and Victor Olofsson reportedly on the trade block as well. Even if it wasn’t their intention at the beginning of the year, the Sabres now sit with a clear mindset – get younger, and then we’ll get better. That’s not a new perspective in the NHL, but it is a risky path forward. Few teams have the depth to refresh lineup roles solely from within. But after years of strong, and lucky, drafting, the Sabres could be one of the rare few to pull it off.

The Buffalo Sabres Future Playoff Hopes Lie With Their Prospects

Buffalo’s prospect pool is led by centerman Jiri Kulich, who has served as one of the top forwards for the AHL’s Rochester Americans. He’s scored 21 goals and 38 points through 49 games this season, improving on his scoring pace after 24 goals and 46 points in 62 games last year. Kulich has added the boost in scoring while also taking on more and more responsibility, becoming a centerman capable of staying diligent in all three zones. He’s been a favorite of Rochester head coach Seth Appert, spending the last two seasons working with Rochester’s development team to find what specific program will best support the Czechian power forward – knowing that Kulich won’t shy away from hard work. The Sabres will hope that next season bears the fruits of Appert’s labor, with the departure of Casey Mittelstadt opening up opportunity down the middle. Kulich looked undoubtedly overeager in his NHL debut earlier this season, showing a clear need for added poise and experience. He’s gathered plenty now on a Rochester team bound for the AHL playoffs, though if it will be enough to seamlessly transition into the NHL is yet to be seen. As are the consequences if Kulich isn’t ready.

But Kulich won’t be able to escape the competition with fellow AHL sophomore Isak Rosen by moving to the NHL. Rosen has looked just as capable in his pro appearances, even earning seven NHL games to Kulich’s one this season. The 21-year-old winger has 16 goals and 40 points in 59 AHL games this year, topping his 37 points in 66 games last year. And he’s managed it on the back of growing confidence with the puck on his stick. Rosen has always made himself a focal piece of the offense, but he found a new layer of poise this season, doing much better at slowing play down and creating space when opportunity isn’t present, instead of forcing through a failed entry. But while his AHL play has improved thanks to better independence, Rosen’s NHL game suffered from a severe lack of involvement. He’s yet to score his first NHL point and did little to look convincing in his outings. There’s definite room for confidence – with Rosen never looking downright bad or out of place at the top level – but he’ll need to find his drive amidst the best in the world if he wants to succeed. Rosen took a couple of years to find his footing in the minors and could need the same slow transition into the NHL. That means the Sabres will have to be patient, as Rosen likely starts in a smaller role and works his way up next season. Already struggling for wins, it will be interesting to see if Buffalo has the time to spend.

Kulich and Rosen are joined at the top of the depth chart by Matthew Savoie, who returned to the WHL after one NHL game and six AHL games. He scored five points in the latter matchups, and carried the strong scoring back into juniors, where his 30 goals and 71 points in 34 games (2.09 points-per-game) marked the highest rate any WHL player has scored at since Connor Bedard last season, and Mike Comrie in 2001 before him. To join such an exclusive list is always exciting, and Savoie is certainly deserving, proving this year that his high-tempo playmaking is simply too good for the CHL. It seems opportunity is the last remaining piece of Savoie’s puzzle, especially considering his AHL success earlier this season. But pre-season injury marred Buffalo’s ability to really test him at the top level. They’ll have to go through the feeling-out process at the start of next year, while also hoping Savoie can quickly turn the tides on the scoresheet. His tempo and skill were dominant in juniors and could certainly bring the game-changing offense that Buffalo is in dire need of. A bill of good health this summer and confidence this fall could set up Savoie for a prime role as soon as next year kicks off.

Buffalo has plenty of other forward prospects that could push the envelope soon. Viktor Neuchev carried a steady AHL role all season long, despite being in his first season of North American pros. He, as well as Swedish duo Anton Wahlberg and Noah Östlund, will all continue to get comfortable through minor league roles next season. It’s instead defenseman Ryan Johnson that rivals one of Buffalo’s remaining NHL slots. Johnson is playing through his first professional season this year, with seven assists in 41 NHL games and eight assists in 19 AHL games – though he’s still searching for his first pro goal. And while he’s adjusted well, there’s been plenty left to desire from the 22-year-old defenseman. He’s simply yet to find where his impact comes in – showing strength in a long list of roles but yet to stamp one as his calling card. It was his ability to control the offensive zone, and control possession, that propelled Johnson through college. He’s shown flashes of that ability in the NHL as well, though they’ve been coupled by a clear need for quicker decision making and sharper plays. The Sabres will hope he can find his offensive niche in the NHL quickly, with Johnson leading a very depleted defensive depth chart. If he can’t solidify an NHL role next year, the team might be forced to turn towards the draft to try and mend a blue-line that’s looked unconfident for years.

Zach Benson lit the Sabres on fire this year. While he’s only managed 23 points on the season, he’s shown a determination and work ethic that’s hard to find, especially in 18-year-olds straight out of juniors. Buffalo needs more of that prospect luck next season, if they want to reignite the fire under their playoff hopes. Savoie represents plenty of upside, while Kulich and Rosen could each carve out strong roles of their own, but all three players face questions. How they can overcome that uncertainty, as well as how quickly Buffalo’s able to add in impactful defensive depth, will be the defining questions as the Sabres look to build a winning team from within.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Network.

West Notes: Vilardi, Pietrangelo, Ceci, Strome

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The Jets will welcome a key forward back to their lineup on Saturday against Ottawa as Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun relays that Gabriel Vilardi has been cleared to return.  The 24-year-old has missed the last 15 games due to an enlarged spleen that was diagnosed while treating another injury.  A key part of the return in the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade over the summer, Vilardi has been quite impactful when healthy this season, tallying 16 goals and 14 assists in just 38 games.  With Winnipeg losing their last five games, his return will certainly be a welcome one as they look to get back on track and hold onto the third spot in the Central with Nashville closing in quickly.

More from the Western Conference:

  • The Golden Knights revealed (Twitter link) that defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has joined up with the team on their road trip. The 34-year-old has missed the last six games due to illness, a big blow to their back end.  Pietrangelo has 32 points and 155 blocks in 62 appearances so far this season while logging a little over 24 minutes per night to lead Vegas in that department.  His eventual return – which could be as soon as Saturday – would be a significant addition as the Golden Knights continue to battle for seeding in the Pacific Division.
  • Oilers defenseman Cody Ceci is listed as a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against Anaheim due to illness, relays Daniel Nugent-Bowman of The Athletic (Twitter link). The 30-year-old has played an important role for Edmonton this season, logging just under 20 minutes a night while chipping in with 21 points in 71 games.  If he can’t play, Troy Stecher will likely return to the lineup.
  • The league announced that Ducks forward Ryan Strome was fined the maximum of $5K for a cross-check on Seattle’s Tye Kartye during yesterday’s game. The incident occurred early in the third period with both players receiving penalties on the play, Strome for the cross-check and Kartye for roughing.

Ducks’ Trevor Zegras Set To Return From Two-Month Absence

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The Anaheim Ducks are getting a star talent back on Tuesday, with top forward Trevor Zegras expected to return from a broken ankle that’s held him out of the team’s last 31 games (Twitter link). It was his second extended absence of the season, also missing 20 games across November and December with a separate lower-body injury.

None of this season has gone according to plan for the 23-year-old Zegras, who didn’t sign a contract for the season until 12 days before Anaheim’s season debut. Contract negotiations held him out of the team’s training camp and his rust clearly showed, with Zegras scoring just one goal and one assist in 12 games before his first injury. He’s since totaled 20 games on the year, managing four goals and seven points. It’s a disappointing step down for the former top-10 draft pick, who has broken the 60-point mark in each of his first two full NHL seasons.

Zegras’ return marks a string of good health for Anaheim’s talented young players. 2023 second-overall pick Leo Carlsson has missed 27 games of his own this season, bearing through a MCL injury in his right knee and separate lower-body and upper-body injuries. Anaheim has played in just eight games with both Zegras and Carlsson in the lineup, setting a 5-3-0 record and outscoring opponents 26-to-22. They’ll relish in the chance to now have a full-strength offense once again, while focus will shift to whether Zegras can rediscover his high scoring.

Big Hype Prospects: Bourque, Levshunov, Fowler, Koivunen

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The hockey season is coming to a close across the world, bringing about the exciting time of year when top prospects are winning awards and loaded teams are winning championships. It’s the perfect time to borrow the Big Hype Prospects series from over at MLB Trade Rumors and break down some of the rising stars across the hockey world – including drafted prospects and U18 players eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.

Four Big Hype Prospects

Mavrik Bourque, C, Dallas Stars (Texas Stars, AHL)
60 GP – 23 G – 44 A – 67 TP – 18 PIM – 0 +/-

Dallas Stars fans are currently relishing in the success of first-year-pro Logan Stankoven, who has a dazzling six goals and 10 points through the first 12 games of his NHL career. But the best is still yet to come, with Stankoven currently separated from his partner in crime – Mavrik Bourque. The two formed an unstoppable pair in the AHL, battling each other for the league’s scoring title all season long. They simply played faster than anyone else, zipping around defensemen and creating plays in the blink of an eye. And Bourque has done plenty to show his capabilities in Stankoven’s absence, with 14 points in 14 games and a confident 12-point lead on the league’s scoring title. He can still look undersized amid a scrum and will certainly need to adjust to the NHL’s physicality before he’s able to bring his full tempo. But it’s just a matter of time before Bourque receives the first in-season call-up of his career and Stars fans should be eager to see if he and Stankoven can pick up where they left off when it finally comes.

 

Artyom Levshunov, RHD, 2024 NHL Draft (Michigan State University, NCAA Big Ten)
35 GP – 9 G – 23 A – 32 TP – 42 PIM – +25

Artyom Levshunov is living large right now – clinching a spot in the Big Ten Championship, the Big Ten Rookie of the Year Award, and the Big Ten Defenseman of the Year Award all in one week. And while the season isn’t over just yet, he’s already done more than enough to prove his draft value. Levshunov joined the Spartans late in the summer, announcing his departure from the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers just five weeks before the league’s pre-season. It was a well-choreographed surprise that paired Levshunov with second-year head coach Adam Nightingale. And it was a big adjustment – especially considering this is just the second season that Levshunov has played in North America. There were certainly growing pains, with the Belarusian defenseman showing an overeagerness to leave his position in favor of chasing the puck or joining the offensive rush. But Nightingale was able to reel in his protege quickly, helping Levshunov better wield his aggression and building his confidence in leading the offense. The mentorship gelled well with Levshunov’s eagerness to take on more and more responsibility, ultimately averaging 22:33 in ice time and scoring at a near-point-per-game rate. It’s been an impressive season that came from a surprise commitment – and Levshunov’s ability to make flashy plays in all three zones certainly has the attention of NHL execs. He’s expected to be one of the first names called in the looming 2024 NHL Draft, and he could continue to build acclaim with hot performances in the Big Ten Championship or the Frozen Four!

Jacob Fowler, G, Montreal Canadiens (Boston College, NCAA Hockey East)
34 GP – 28 Wins – .924 Save Percentage – 2.19 Goals-Against-Average

Jacob Fowler is running out of room in his trophy closet quickly, a finalist for Hockey East’s Goaltender of the Year award and competing for the Hockey East championship after winning the same award, and a league championship, in the USHL last season. He has made himself a focal piece of every team he’s played for, setting the record for save percentage as both a 17-year-old and 18-year-old across his two seasons in the USHL and now saving the highest percentage of shots for Boston College since Spencer Knight in 2020. It’s clear to see why Fowler is so effective when watching him play. He’s a powerful skater, keeping a wide frame and moving across the crease quickly. And he carries plenty of bravado, showing clear confidence in facing down opponents and staying locked in through the entirety of plays. As any fan of Jon Gillies will attest, a high save percentage and a stocked trophy cabinet aren’t always indicative of future stardom. But Fowler’s continued dominance certainly elicits plenty of excitement.

Ville Koivunen, LW/C, Pittsburgh Penguins (Kärpät, Liiga)
59 GP – 22 G – 34 A – 56 TP – 26 PIM – +7

The Pittsburgh Penguins moved on from a franchise staple at the Trade Deadline, sending Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. It was a huge change, breaking up a Penguins top-line that’s been together for the better part of seven seasons. And while there’s no good way to rebound from a move that grand, Ville Koivunen represents a great consolation prize. The 20-year-old winger has been fantastic in Finland’s top league, the Liiga, this season – showing a great ability to read the ice and work with his teammates. He’s a smooth-moving forward that’s very tough to knock off the puck, thanks to beautifully-smooth puckhandling. And while he needs space to use it, Koivunen’s shot can be fantastic. He’s emerged as one of Kärpät’s key players this season, averaging nearly 18 minutes of ice time each game and ranked second on the team in scoring. Moving to North American pros poses a unique challenge, something Koivunen learned when he managed just one goal in 12 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves last season. But he’s found a new groove in his return to Finland. Koivunen has the wind behind his sails, a new NHL organization to embrace, and an open role to eye after Guentzel’s departure – making his return to the United States highly anticipated.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports.

Wild Sign Riley Heidt To Entry-Level Contract

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The Minnesota Wild have signed 2023 second-round draft pick Riley Heidt to a three-year, entry-level contract (Twitter link). Heidt is coming off a dazzling season with the WHL’s Price George Cougars – scoring the second-most points in Cougars history (114 points), behind linemate Zac Funk who broke the record (121 points) this year. Heidt also earned Prince George’s all-time leading scorer title this season, with 277 points across four years and 220 games with the team.

Heidt is a poised and commanding playmaking-centerman who shows a strong understanding of how to play in the three lanes of the ice. His effectiveness comes from his ability to blend with his wingers – forming a great duo with Koehn Ziemmer across the last two seasons and Funk and Terik Parascak this year. While not the flashiest player in his own right, Heidt’s poise and constant scanning bring out the best in his linemates.

The Minnesota Wild will hope he can maintain the newfound tempo he added this season – something that could blend well with the slick-moving Adam Beckman or heavy-shooting top prospect Liam Ohgren – with Heidt potentially joining both players in the AHL next season. But even with the excitement of his first pro deal still fresh, Heidt will first have to focus on Prince George’s looming playoff run after the team’s first 100-point season ever.

Snapshots: Graves, St. Ivany, Krug, Oshie, Protas

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have shared that defenseman Ryan Graves will be stepping away for a paternity leave, opening the door for rookie Jack St. Ivany to make his NHL debut. St. Ivany has flirted with his inaugural game for much of March, getting moved between the NHL and AHL four different times in the last week. He was clearly motivated by the string of moves, recording a career-high three-point night in his latest AHL game – his first since receiving the first NHL call-up of his career. The performance broke a 10-game scoring drought and accounted for a fifth of St. Ivany’s 15 points on the season. He’ll now have a golden chance to build on the hot night, potentially poised for a big role with Graves’ average of 19 minutes a night now up for grabs.

Other notes from around the league:

  • St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug is expected to return to the lineup on Friday after sititng out with a chest injury on Thursday, per NHL.com’s Jessi Pierce. It was Krug’s first absence of the year, after appearing in the Blues’ first 69 games. He’s managed three goals and 34 points in those games. This is Krug’s first time playing in more than 65 games since the 2017-18 season.  His return is expected to bump Scott Perunovich back out of the lineup.
  • The Washington Capitals will continue to be without T.J. Oshie and Aliaksei Protas, head coach Spencer Carbery told The Hockey News. Both players sat out of the team’s Wednesday night loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Oshie is bearing with an upper-body injury, while Protas has a lingering lower-body injury suffered on March 9th. The team will eagerly anticipate their return, now left to lean on Michael Sgarbossa and Ivan Miroshnichenko as top-six fill-ins.

Former Capital Chris Simon Passes Away At Age 52

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Long-running NHL enforcer Chris Simon has passed away at age 52, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli (Twitter link). Simon was a mainstay of the NHL’s bruiser era, playing 15 seasons in the NHL. Seven of those came with the Washington Capitals, where Simon remains one of the club’s most penalized players, with 666 penalty minutes in 320 games.

Simon was originally drafted 25th overall in the 1990 NHL Draft, going to the Philadelphia Flyers in what was then the second round. He was selected just ahead of 1000-game pros Doug Weight and Geoff Sanderson. But Philadelphia knew what they were getting in Simon, who recorded 36 goals, 74 points, and 146 penalty minutes in 57 OHL games during his draft year.

Two years after his draft day, Simon would be part of one of the biggest trades in NHL history – making up the ’future considerations’ aspect of the trade that sent Eric Lindros to the Philadelphia Flyers. Simon was moved to the Quebec Nordiques alongside Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, Steve Duchesne, $15MM in cash, and more.

The Nordiques awarded Simon with his NHL debut in the subsequent 1992-93 season, with Simon netting two points and 67 penalty minutes in just 16 NHL games. He’d go on to break the 100-penalty minutes mark in 1993-94, a feat he’d achieve in each of the next four seasons and pull off nine total times in his career. His most penalized year in the NHL came in 1995-96, when Simon totaled 250 penalty minutes in 64 games, the sixth-most in Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche history. Simon was also a major piece of Colorado’s 1996 Stanley Cup win, providing a physical presence and grit that pushed the Avalanche down the stretch.

Simon built a legacy as a hard-nosed enforcer, with 101 fighting majors across his 15-year career. PHR sends its condolences to Simon’s family and friends, as well as to all of the organizations he’s played for.

Flyers Expected To Scratch Sean Couturier

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The Philadelphia Flyers are planning to scratch team captain Sean Couturier, per The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor (Twitter Link). The scratching comes one month after Couturier was awarded the captaincy – becoming the team’s first captain since Claude Giroux’s reign ended in the 2021-22 season.

The Flyers also recalled forward Olle Lycksell and defenseman Adam Ginning on Monday, with both players expected to now slot into the lineup – Lycksell ahead of Couturier and Ginning ahead of Marc Staal.

Philadelphia will hope to find a spark with these moves, after an unconvincing 4-6-1 stretch over their last 11 games. They’ve been outscored 32-to-42 in that span, with Couturier managing just three assists. Lycksell will replace him, after recording one goal and six points over his last two AHL games. The 24-year-old winger has appeared in nine NHL games already this season, netting three assists. The appearances bring his career totals up to four assists in 17 games, though he’s still searching for his first NHL goal.

Ginning has also appeared in the NHL this season – stepping into the lineup on March 7th for a 2-1 win over the Florida Panthers. It was the second NHL game of Ginning’s career, with the stout defender managing two penalty minutes, a -1, three blocks, and seven hits in the pair of matchups. He’s still searching for his first NHL point. Ginning has been a consistent piece in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ lineup, where he’s totaled two goals, 13 points, and 82 penalty minutes in 56 games this season.

This is the first healthy scratch designation that Couturier has carried in quite some time, though it calls back to John Tortorella’s scratching of Kevin Hayes in December of last season. Philadelphia experienced a 6-3 loss without Hayes in the lineup, returning him to his usual role in the subsequent game. The Flyers will hope for better fortunes this time, as Tortorella is once again leaving a seemingly top-name out of the lineup.

Evening Notes: Hronek, Eriksson Ek, St. Ivany

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There’s always something to look forward to for the Vancouver Canucks, who now have full focus on extending defenseman Filip Hronek after extending star forward Elias Pettersson. This deal should cost the Canucks a pretty penny as well, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting in an appearance on CHEK’s Donnie and Dhali (video link) a cap hit within the range of $7.5MM.

Hronek has become a crucial piece of Vancouver’s lineup since joining the team at last season’s Trade Deadline. He’s not only boosted his own impact but made the players around him better as well – serving as the perfect partner for star defenseman Quinn Hughes. Both Hronek and Hughes have recorded a career-high in scoring this season, with 45 and 77 points respectively. The duo is playing upwards of 24 minutes each game – representing the only Canucks pairing averaging more than even 19 minutes of ice time. Hughes is signed through the 2026-27 season, carrying a $7.85MM cap hit. Vancouver will lock up their top defensive pairing for the future if – and hopefully when – they’re able to sign Hronek to a comparable deal.

Other notes from around the league:

  • Minnesota Wild centerman Joel Eriksson Ek won’t join the team for the final two games of their California road trip, getting held back by a lower-body injury per The Athletic’s Michael Russo (Twitter Link). Russo adds that Minnesota is holding Eriksson Ek out a bit longer, in an effort to be cautious with his injury. The 27-year-old centerman has missed Minnesota’s last two games. His next chance to return will be on March 23rd when the Wild host the St. Louis Blues. Eriksson Ek’s absence should continue to benefit Marco Rossi’s ice time, after the Austrian played a career-high 20:44 in the team’s last game.
  • Jack St. Ivany has been reassigned to the AHL, jumping back-and-forth between the NHL and AHL lineups on a few call-ups since Sunday. (Twitter Link). St. Ivany will hope to receive his NHL debut on his next recall, after serving as an NHL healthy scratch for the first time on Saturday. St. Ivany, 24, has four goals, 12 points, and 30 penalty minutes in 52 AHL games this season – though he hasn’t scored a point since a two-goal performance on February 14th.

Oilers Showed Interest In Extending Adam Henrique, Sam Carrick

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The Edmonton Oilers didn’t have much cap space or buying power ahead of the Trade Deadline, heavily limiting the lineup upgrades they could bring in. And rather than fight through the nitty-gritty of the cap, Edmonton instead opted to make one very calculated, and very impactful, trade – acquiring Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a first-round pick in 2024 and a fourth and fifth-round pick in 2025. Aside from quietly acquiring veteran depth defender Troy Stecher, the big-name buy from Anaheim was Edmonton’s only Deadline move. And now it seems the Oilers are trying to stretch out the impact of the deal, with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that the team showed interest in extending both of their new faces.

Now, it’s no surprise to see Edmonton trying to get the most out of what they paid for, especially with both Henrique and Carrick set to become unrestricted free agents this summer. But Henrique is 34 and Carrick 32, likely limiting any contract negotiations to the short-term. That’ll be a change of pace for the veteran Henrique, who’s had just three contracts across his 14-year NHL career. What’s more, he’ll be roughly one full season away from his 1,000th game in the NHL when this season ends – meaning wherever Henrique signs next is likely where he achieves that tremendous feat. He’s shown plenty of loyalty throughout his career – playing eight years in New Jersey and seven years in Anaheim – but a looming retirement could leave the 34-year-old considering if Edmonton is where he wants to finish out. There would be no shortage of interested parties if Henrique did hit the open market, though extending him would go far in solidifying Edmonton as a top team over the next few years.

But while Henrique is an established veteran newly exposed to the world of short-term deals, Carrick is on the eighth contract of his eight-year career in the NHL. He’s in just his third full-time NHL season, finally carving out a confident role on the 2021-22 Ducks roster. He’s totaled 22 goals and 37 points across 180 games since then, adding a strong 50.5 faceoff percentage and 362 hits. Carrick fills a lot of the boxes teams look for in fourth-liners, and he’s admirably serving in that role for the Oilers. But after cap retention in the trade, Carrick is contributing just $425K to Edmonton’s salary cap. That’s a great price for an effective fourth-liner, but richer prices could be too much to bear for an Oilers team that could afford space for young players. Carrick likely doesn’t demand much on the open market, but how Edmonton decides to approach his extension could serve to lock up their bottom six.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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