Big Hype Prospects: Augustine, Solberg, Kapanen, Emery
The World Championship has kicked off, bringing back the energy and excitement of international hockey at the top level. This year’s tournament has offered a special platform to the underappreciated hockey countries – with Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and Latvia offering some of the best hockey of the kickoff weekend. There has also been a rare influx of young players earning big chances, with the tournament currently led in scoring by 18-year-old Connor Bedard and in save percentage by 23-year-old Lukas Dostal. The boost of younger talent has offered scouts an extra look at some of the top prospects in the world. We’ll follow suit, once again borrowing the Big Hype Prospects series from MLB Trade Rumors and breaking down some of the top performers from Worlds.
Four Big Hype Prospects
Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State (NCAA Big Ten, Detroit Red Wings)
35 GP – 23 Wins – 0.915 SV% – 2.96 GAA
Trey Augustine made history on Saturday, stepping in for Team USA starter Alex Lyon following an undisclosed injury. Augustine stepped in just 24 minutes into the game and held strong, saving 11 of the 12 shots he faced en route to USA’s 6-1 win over Team Germany. The performance earned Augustine the win, making him just the fifth U20 goaltender to record a win at Worlds since 2000. He joins a list of incredibly talented goaltenders, including Juuse Saros, Andrei Vasilevskiy, John Gibson, and Jacob Markstrom. But what’s more – Augustine is the first U20 goalie since 2000 to step into a World Championship role without playing in a pro league first, though Gibson only had one AHL under his belt. Instead, Augustine is backstopping one of the World Championship’s top teams directly out of college, just months after rivaling the Big Ten ‘Goalie of the Year’ Award. Augustine was nicknamed ‘The Closer’ during his years at the U.S. National Team Development Program and is living up to the high acclaim now, showing a fantastic amount of poise and skill even at the top level. While there’s still a long road ahead for Augustine – who is currently expected to return to Michigan State next season – the Red Wings have to be happy with the value they’ve gotten out of the 2023 second round.
Stian Solberg, LHD, Vålerenga (Norway, 2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
42 GP – 5 G – 10 A – 15 TP – 47 PIM – +2 +/-
Stian Solberg is quickly winning the hearts of hockey fans. He’s been asked to do it all this season – serving in a top role during club play with Vålerenga, as the #1-defenseman on Norway’s World Juniors team, and now as a top-four defender at the World Championship. Solberg has handled all of the challenge in stride, showing a fantastic ability to stay adaptable. Whether it’s a long reach while defending the rush, a big hit to spark energy, or nifty passing to create a chance in the offensive-end, Solberg seems capable of doing it all. The support of Norway’s men’s team has let Solberg embrace much more of his offensive skillset at Worlds and he’s taking full opportunity of the chance, showing an improved ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone and create chances from the blue-line. Solberg is continuing to look mature beyond his years, substantially boosting a case to go in the 2024 first-round that’s been steadily growing all season long.
Oliver Kapanen, C, KalPa (Liiga, Montreal Canadiens)
51 GP – 14 G – 20 A – 34 TP – 32 PIM – 0 +/-
Oliver Kapanen kicked off Worlds with a bang, recording a hat trick in Finland’s game against Team Great Britain. It’s perhaps lighter pickings than some of the other clubs Finland will face, but it was how Kapanen recorded his trick that made it so impressive. After years of trying to survive as a high-slot shooter, Kapanen potted all three goals on Saturday from the low-slot, using his strong frame and quick reactions to consistently win the battles for loose rebounds. The performance felt like the culmination of a development curve that Kapanen has been on all season long, learning how to become more confident in the gritty areas of the ice and make plays with little-to-no space. They’re next-level traits which will support Kapanen substantially as he continues to take on more-and-more of a role at the top level. Fans will need to wait out the rest of his World Championship performance before getting too excited, but he’s kicked off the tournament in exciting fashion, offering a shimmer of hope to Canadiens fans excited for their next Finnish centerman.
Eric ‘EJ’ Emery, LHD, U.S. U18 (NTDP, 2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
61 GP – 0 G – 16 A – 16 TP – 30 PIM – +5 +/-
Eric ‘EJ’ Emery isn’t currently representing his country at the World Championship, but he is still finding ways to make himself popular on social media, posting a video jumping over Scott Norton, the President of his agency (Twitter link). The video shows off just how athletic the 6’3″, 185-lbs frame of Emery is – as well as the impressive vertical he’s been working towards since last summer. Emery had a bit of an underwhelming year on the scoresheet but there are few scouts who aren’t excited about the stout defensive potential he offers. Emery is a smooth, lanky defender who uses a long reach and strong physical presence to close off opponents with ease. He’s also fantastic on the puck, corralling open pucks and finding teammates quickly, without losing any momentum in plays. Emery showed off just how well he can go from shutting down play on defense to inspiring offense at the World U18 Championship, where he recorded six assists in seven games as Team USA chased a Silver Medal finish. Emery is considered to be on the fringe of this year’s first round, though continued feats of athleticism, and what seems to be a high potential for added offense in the future, makes him one of the most exciting risers through the year’s second half.
San Jose Sharks Win 2024 NHL Draft Lottery
The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery has finally rolled around, giving solace to the 16 teams that missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks lead the odds race, with the Sharks boasting a hardy 18.5 percent chance of winning the first-overall pick. The list of runner-ups is rounded out by fringe playoff contenders in the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings, who share 0.5 percent odds at the top slot.
The 2024 NHL Draft is certainly one to be excited for. It features strong talent throughout the first round, including hotly-debated talents like Finnish standout pro Konsta Helenius and Russian big man Anton Silayev. It’s a contentious draft that kicks off a string of strong classes, with James Hagens and Gavin McKenna headlining the next two drafts.
This year’s deciding order is as follows:
1. San Jose Sharks
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Anaheim Ducks
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Utah Hockey Club
7. Ottawa Senators
8. Seattle Kraken
9. Calgary Flames
10. New Jersey Devils
11. Buffalo Sabres
12. Philadelphia Flyers
13. Minnesota Wild
14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins)
15. Detroit Red Wings
16. St. Louis Blues
The Sharks have officially won the race for superstar prospect Macklin Celebrini – the consensus top prospect in the 2024 NHL Draft. Celebrini recently became the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker Award as college’s MVP, adding to a trophy case that’s incredibly full for his age. He’s a dynamic and incredibly intelligent centerman capable of finding and making plays in all three zones.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks, Ducks, and Blue Jackets will be left to sift through a rich list of top defense prospects, including Artyom Levshunov, Sam Dickinson, Zeev Buium, and Zayne Parekh. Forwards like Cole Eiserman or Cayden Lindstrom could fight their way into the top spots as well, giving teams plenty of options with their lottery winnings.
Evening Notes: Russian Showcase, Hague, Karlsson, Raymond
Due to regulations that have been put in place by the National Hockey League, a limited number of teams have been able to travel to Russia in an attempt to scout upcoming overseas talent for the 2024 NHL Draft. However, it appears a solution has been developed, as Kevin Weekes of ESPN reports that a Russian showcase will take place from June 18th to 23rd.
Being the most high-profile Russian prospect available at this year’s draft, it is unlikely that forward Ivan Demidov will usurp Macklin Celebrini as the top player in this year’s class due to the showcase. However, after Celebrini, there is no singular player who is a surefire pick for second overall, meaning Demidov could use this showcase to his advantage.
Of the other Russian prospects projected to go in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Anton Silayev and Igor Chernyshov could also use the showcase to their advantage. However, even though he is projected as the second-best international skater, it is hard to imagine a scenario where Silayev is selected any higher than the third defensemen off the board.
Other notes:
- Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague has been ruled out of tonight’s third game against Dallas and remains listed as day-to-day notes Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He missed the second game of the series due to a lower-body injury which will cost him now at least a second contest. The 25-year-old led all Vegas blueliners in hits this season with 155 while chipping in with a dozen points in 73 games. Alec Martinez played in place of Hague last game and should do so again.
- Staying in Vegas, even though he was not on the ice for the team’s practice this morning, forward William Karlsson is expected to suit up for the Golden Knights tonight reports Jesse Granger of The Athletic. After another quality regular season in Vegas, Karlsson has been able to suit up in the first two games of the series but has failed to find the scoresheet so far. Nevertheless, with Karlsson confirmed in the lineup, the third line of Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Anthony Mantha still represents one of the premier third lines in this year’s playoffs.
- Joining many of his teammates and coaches for this summer’s 2024 IIHF World Championship, Chris Johnston of TSN reports that Detroit Red Wings’ forward Lucas Raymond will join Team Sweden for the international tournament. Raymond represents one of the best offensive options for Team Sweden after experiencing a breakout year during the 2023-24 campaign. In 82 games, Raymond scored 31 goals and 72 points, leading all Red Wings in scoring.
Prospect Notes: Brodzinski, Yager, Whitelaw, Cristall
The Philadelphia Flyers aren’t expected to sign 2019 seventh-round pick Bryce Brodzinski before his rights expire on August 1st, shares Jess Myers of The Rink Live (Twitter link). Myers instead thinks Brodzinski will pursue free agency, after playing through a full five years at the University of Minnesota.
The Flyers drafted Brodzinski out of Blaine High, after he led the school to the State tournament’s semi-finals, serving as their top scorer and captain. He played in just 19 USHL games – scoring 17 points – before moving to college in the 2019-20 season. His lack of high-level experience showed through during Brodzinski’s underclassmen years, as he struggled to match pace and make plays around faster defenders. But Brodzinski improved in every single season at UMN, finding added scoring each season and working his way into a top-six role by the end of his collegiate career. He also maintained his lead-by-example work ethic, serving as Minnesota’s captain this season.
Brodzinski, 23, will now hit the open market, after totaling 119 points in 185 games with the Gophers. He’s the youngest brother of New York Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski and should find plenty of role from a team encouraged by his growth in the Big Ten.
Other notes from across the league:
- The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled a host of prospects to the AHL, including first-round pick Owen Pickering, who’s WHL season ended on April 19th. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton could be due for even more WHL reinforcements, with the fellow first-rounder Brayden Yager also likely to sign an entry-level contract and join the team following the end of his WHL season (Twitter link). This information comes following Kyle Dubas’ sharing that he hopes both Yager and Pickering could challenge an NHL roster spot next season. Yager is currently leading the Moose Jaw Warriors through the WHL Playoffs, set to meet the Saskatoon Blades in the league’s semi-finals. The 19-year-old centerman has 14 points, split evenly, through nine postseason appearances; after posting 95 points in 57 regular-season games. His availability for the AHL postseason largely depends on when Moose Jaw’s season comes to a close, though they could be poised for a run to the Memorial Cup with a two more series-wins.
- Columbus Blue Jackets second-round pick William Whitelaw has transferred from the University of Wisconsin to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season, per an announcement on his Instagram. Whitelaw had a slow start to his collegiate career, recording just 10 goals and 17 points in 37 games and often serving in a third-line role. This came after Whitelaw served as the leading forward on the 2023 Clark Cup championship-winning Youngstown Phantoms, scoring 61 points in 62 games in his only full-year in the USHL. He’ll hope for a much bigger role with the Wolverines, who recently lost Frank Nazar, Dylan Duke, and Gavin Brindley to NHL contracts.
- The Washington Capitals have assigned 2023 second-round pick Andrew Cristall to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, following the end of his WHL season. This kicks off the pro career of one of 2023’s most divisive prospects – with Cristall’s 280 points in 191 career WHL games clearly showing his scoring ability, but skeptics pointing out his lack of explosivity and off-puck fundamentals. He recorded 111 points in 62 games this season alone, the most of any Kelowna Rocket since 1996, and will now hope to translate his flashy style into a tougher scene.
Penguins Notes: Prospects, Injuries, Rebuild
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas had an eventful locker-room cleanout, sharing plenty of news, updates, and plans with the media following the end of the season. Most exciting of the bunch was Dubas’ support of the team’s young prospects, sharing that he expects forwards Brayden Yager, Vasili Ponomarev, and Sam Poulin; defenseman Owen Pickering; and goaltender Joel Blomqvist to each compete for NHL roles next season, shares Rob Rossi of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Penguins fans will hope that their GM is right as he alludes to young talents holding onto lineup roles. Pittsburgh carried the oldest roster in the NHL this season, with an average age of 29.78 per EliteProspects.
They’ll certainly get plenty of talent in the names Dubas mentioned. Both Yager and Pickering spent the season in the WHL. Yager had a career year, scoring 35 goals and 95 points and adding five points in five World Juniors games. Pickering also recorded career-high scoring – though not with as much of a jump as Yager – netting 46 points in 59 games to top his 45-point season last year. Meanwhile, Blomqvist served as the starter for the Wilkes-Barre/Scanton Penguins, recording a dazzling .921 save percentage in 44 games.
Other notes from Pittsburgh’s cleanout:
- Dubas also shared that legacy defenseman Kris Letang will be getting a second opinion on if he needs surgery this summer to address an undisclosed injury, per Seth Rorabaugh of the Tribune-Review. Rorabaugh also mentioned that Matthew Nieto suffered another injury following his surgery in January, and will seek a second opinion on if surgery or rehab is the next step. Emil Bemstrom is also hurt, finishing the season with a concussion. Nothing was made about these injuries being alarming, though Penguins fans will want to keep a close eye on Letang’s recovery. The future Hall-of-Famer appeared in all 82 games this season, but reportedly played through injury down the stretch.
- Dubas hinted at an interesting approach in his press conference, saying that the Penguins wanted to approach their rebuild similar to how the Los Angeles Kings have approached theirs, per The Athletic’s Josh Yohe (Twitter link). The Kings have managed a fairly quick rebuild – if this year’s postseason berth signifies success – while maintaining key veterans like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty. The Penguins will approach things similarly, looking to build around their long-time core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Letang. The Kings were aggressive in the open market, acquiring Phillip Danault, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Kevin Fiala, and Vladislav Gavrikov. One has to think Michael Bunting and Erik Karlsson represent two of these impactful additions, though Pittsburgh will need to continue addding if they want to claw back into the postseason.
Blackhawks Sign Frank Nazar To Entry-Level Deal
Blackhawks first-round pick Frank Nazar will sign his entry-level deal and join the team immediately, The Athletic’s Scott Powers reports Saturday. Nazar, the 2022 13th overall selection, had his sophomore season at the University of Michigan end Thursday after Boston College eliminated them in the semifinals of the national tournament.
The 20-year-old was the second of three first-round selections Chicago made that year, five picks after defenseman Kevin Korchinski. A collegiate rival of Nazar’s, University of Minnesota defenseman Sam Rinzel, was selected in the mid-20s.
The Detroit-born forward is an exceptionally intelligent passer and was one of six Wolverines to hit the point-per-game mark this season, notching 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 41 games. He struggled away from the puck, posting a -7 rating, second-worst on the team and 11 points worse than any other elite offensive threat on the stacked Big 10 member squad.
Part of that was due to a slow start. Nazar missed all but 13 games last season due to hip surgery and was sluggish early on, logging four points in his first seven games. That changed in a 10-1 drubbing of Lindenwood in late October, in which he rattled off three assists and kickstarted an eight-game point streak with four multi-point outings.
That momentum carried into the New Year when he joined Team USA for the World Juniors and notched eight assists and a +9 rating in seven games to help fuel the Americans’ gold medal run. Upon returning to campus, he posted 14 points in six games with Michigan but was more inconsistent in closing out the season, ending the year with three goals and two assists in seven games of Big 10 and national tournament play.
Viewed as a steal at the time of his draft, Nazar was billed as a top-10 threat by multiple public scouting outfits. He hasn’t displayed the overall development and consistency you’d like to see from a top-10 pick yet, but he does look to still provide solid value for his 13th-overall billing. Nazar remains a bit of a raw talent, but Chicago will get him to at least one of their final three games this season to see where he’s at compared to NHL competition. A strong showing now could boost his chances of cracking next season’s opening night roster, although his overall game would likely benefit from a little bit of seasoning with AHL Rockford.
If all goes well, Nazar will be a top-nine lock by the end of his entry-level deal in 2026 and join the multitude of other recent Blackhawks first-rounders in helping the franchise become consistent championship contenders once again. The 5’9″ forward can play both center and wing but is likely more suited for the latter at the professional level. He was the second-ranked prospect in the organization behind 2023 first-round pick and University of Minnesota center Oliver Moore in The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s February ranking.
The financial terms of Nazar’s ELC have yet to be disclosed. It will be a three-year deal, though, and upon expiry, it will make him an RFA, putting him in line to need new deals at the same time as Korchinski and franchise center Connor Bedard.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Hurricanes Sign Gleb Trikozov To Entry-Level Contract
The Hurricanes have signed forward prospect Gleb Trikozov to his three-year, entry-level contract, according to Trikozov’s agent, Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey. In a press release Saturday, the team confirmed that his contract begins in the 2024-25 season and carries an $862.5K cap hit, broken down into a $775K base salary and $87.5K signing bonus each season. Trikozov will earn a $82.5K salary when assigned to the minors or overseas.
Carolina selected Trikozov, 19, with their first selection in the 2022 draft, coming late in the second round at 60th overall. They parted with their first-round pick as compensation for signing then-RFA center Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an offer sheet in September 2021, although it later changed hands multiple times and eventually ended up with the Sharks. San Jose used it on Swedish pivot Filip Bystedt, who recently made his North American debut for their AHL affiliate.
The 6’1″ Russian winger spent time with three different clubs in the Avangard Omsk system in his home country this season but closed out the season on assignment to the MHL, Russia’s top junior league. He was electric in regular season play throughout the year, scoring 12 goals in 10 games while totaling 18 points. He also added nine points in seven playoff games as Omskie Yastreby was eliminated last month.
He only appeared in two games in the top-level KHL, spending most of the year on assignment to the VHL, the top minor professional circuit. There, with Omskie Krylia, he was the team’s leading per-game scorer, notching 11 goals and 21 points in 39 games on a team that was nowhere near playoff contention.
Trikozov remains a high-ceiling yet unpolished prospect and could stand to get more comfortable in puck battles and improve his defensive awareness, although that’s the case with most mid-tier prospects his age. Those concerns led to some rather polarizing rankings in his draft year, as multiple public scouting sites believed Trikozov’s raw shooting ability made him worthy of a late first-round selection.
The Hurricanes still don’t have a full-time AHL affiliate on the books for next season, a situation that’s proven challenging for prospect development in 2023-24. The lack of consistent playing time and organizational ethos has completely derailed the development of some, such as 2019 second-round pick Jamieson Rees, who had just four assists in 37 AHL games split between Charlotte and Springfield before Carolina cut ties and traded him to the Senators a few weeks ago.
Nonetheless, GM Don Waddell said in a statement that the organization is “excited to see how [Trikozov’s] game continues to develop in North America,” implying they won’t be loaning him back to Russia next season. He’s not ready for NHL action, though, so they’ll need to find him a minor-league home if their affiliate situation isn’t rectified.
Trikozov will be 20 before Sep. 15, making him ineligible for an entry-level slide. His deal will take effect next season regardless of how many NHL games he plays, and upon expiry in 2027, he will be an RFA.
Wild’s Liam Ohgren To Finish Season In AHL
Top Wild forward prospect Liam Öhgren has arrived in North America and will be assigned to finish the season with AHL Iowa in the coming days, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Öhgren, 20, was the 19th overall selection in the 2022 draft and is a consensus top-three prospect in the Minnesota system alongside netminder Jesper Wallstedt and Russian winger Danila Yurov. He signed his entry-level contract shortly after being drafted but has been loaned out to the Swedish pro circuit in back-to-back seasons, sliding the start of the deal to 2024-25.
This season was Öhgren’s first playing full-time in the top-level Swedish Hockey League, although injuries limited him to 26 games with Färjestad BK. His season came to an end last week after they were swept in the SHL quarterfinals by Rögle. The gifted sniper put his talents on full display, scoring 12 goals and 19 points, ranking second on the team in goals per game. He was one of the most explosive scorers in junior hockey during his draft season, lighting the lamp 33 times in 30 games with Djůrgardens’ U-20 club.
In all likelihood, the Stockholm native has played his last game in Sweden. He’ll likely start next season with Iowa to become more acclimated to the North American game, especially after missing such a large chunk of 2023-24, but he is a sure bet to at least see a handful of NHL contests. He’s unlikely to see any postseason action with Iowa to close out this year, as they’re seven points out of a playoff spot in the AHL’s Central Division with eight games remaining. His ELC will expire in 2027.
Hurricanes Expected To Sign Scott Morrow
The Hurricanes are expected to get defense prospect Scott Morrow inked to an entry-level deal before his exclusive signing rights expire in August 2025, reports Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Other teams have been calling the Hurricanes about trading for his rights, with some doubt circulating that he would sign in Carolina, but that talk has now ceased.
Morrow, 21, had his junior season with UMass come to an end Thursday after dropping an overtime heartbreaker to Denver in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament. He has one season remaining of collegiate eligibility and hasn’t decided if he’ll turn pro ahead of next season, but all signs point to the Canes getting a deal signed either this summer or next.
The offensive-minded blue-liner was taken with the 40th overall pick in 2021, which found its way to Carolina via Nashville and Los Angeles as part of the Viktor Arvidsson trade and a subsequent pick swap. Drafted straight out of high school, Morrow was among the most skilled defensemen in the class but had his draft stock limited by defensive shortcomings. Those haven’t exactly faded away as his career with UMass has progressed, but he has consistently managed to dominate offensively and in transition. The Connecticut native has 28 goals, 66 assists and 94 points in 109 games, ranking second among all NCAA defensemen in scoring over the past three years. Only Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson has more.
Morrow checked in at #3 in The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler’s yearly ranking of Hurricanes prospects, trailing only top KHL blue-liner Alexander Nikishin among defenders. With the future of most of Carolina’s blue line uncertain – Jalen Chatfield, Tony DeAngelo, Brett Pesce, and Brady Skjei are all pending UFAs – Morrow is in line to play a significant NHL role within a few years’ time. Expecting him to be plopped into the Canes’ opening night lineup this fall might be bullish, though. If Carolina can secure a full-time AHL affiliate next season, some time in the minors would be beneficial for Morrow to adjust to the pro game and avoid being an unplayable defensive liability when he reaches the majors.
Young Faces Hold The Key To Sabres’ Future Success
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.