Throughout the start of 2024, some of the more notable prospects have been quiet. Kulich & Rosén have struggled to score since the World Juniors, Ratzlaff has been left stranded in Seattle, and Swedish prospects Östlund and Wahlberg are still trying to find their way in the SHL. Fortunately, this allows other prospects to be highlighted. Some of these prospects are returnees to the monthly prospects highlights, but there are also a couple of new prospects. With so many young players on the current Sabres roster, the diversity of this month’s prospects highlights is a sign that additional depth is on the way. While most of these players will end up having less prominent roles, they have the potential to add value as the Sabres continue to find their identity.
#5 Lukas Rousek, RW, AHL (9GP, 1G, 6A, 7PTS)
The 2019 6th rounder has been a consistent performer in the AHL all season long. To start off 2024, he has really hit his stride. His play has helped the Americans win 6 of their last 9, keeping playoffs in sight. It has also made him a player who is consistently considered for a call-up to the NHL. With the loss of Quinn long-term, Rousek is a quality option to bring up for a bottom 6 role. Unlike top prospects in the Sabres pipeline, Rousek has had to play a complete game to move up the ranks. This makes his game extremely versatile, which will come in handy for Granato as he makes modifications to his lineup. Also something to consider is as the trade deadline approaches, we may see some depth players on the Sabres roster moved. Rousek will be a prime candidate to fill the holes left on the roster.
#4 Matteo Constantini, C, NCAA (8GP, 3G, 4A, 7PTS)
In his second appearance on the prospects highlight, Constantini continues to have a spectacular comeback season at Western Michigan University. At a near-point-per-game pace with 22 points in 24 games, this is now the most productive NCAA season of his career, passing his freshman season totals in 11 fewer games. Considering the volatility of his production at the NCAA level, there is a chance that after this season, he will want to sign an entry-level deal. Should his production dip again, there may be ramifications to how willing the Sabres are to sign the 2020 5th-rounder. It will be interesting to see how the Sabres value Constantini. Given the majority of young forwards and forward prospects coming through juniors or Europe (Cozens, Quinn, Peterka, Kulich, Rosén, Östlund, etc.), there is the possibility that they do not favour the NCAA route for the development of their forwards. As such, they may want to bring Constantini into the fold to get him playing pro hockey.
#3 Vsevolod Komarov, RHD, QMJHL (8GP, 2G, 12A, 14PTS)
It feels like every month, Komarov finds another level of production for his game. He now leads the entire QMJHL in scoring from defencemen with 43 in 38 games. Since his move to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, Komarov has been even more dynamic. Playing with some top prospects like first-rounders Ethan Gauthier (Tampa Bay) and Maverick Lamoureux (Arizona), he has been able to produce at an exceptional rate. Drummondville currently has the highest powerplay percentage in the entire league with a 28.2% success rate, highlighting Komarov’s impact on their roster. After being traded to a team that already had a number one defenceman in Lamoureux, there were concerns that Komarov’s production would drop. It is an extremely exciting sight to see that while playing behind a number one defenceman, he is still able to produce. This will come in handy should he ever have the opportunity to play for Buffalo.
#2 Victor Neuchev, LW, AHL (7GP, 4G, 6A, 10PTS)
After a slow start to his first season in North America, the 2022 third-round pick finally found success in the month of January. With a game that is predicated on being productive, he is now showing flashes of what made the Sabres want to bring him from Russia so that their development team could work more directly with him. As a 20-year-old, there are bound to be growing pains adjusting to the professional game. For a 20-year-old who moved across the world and is still adjusting to a different kind of professional game, there would no doubt be a progression to his level of comfort in the AHL. Credit should be given to Seth Appert and the rest of the Americans’ coaching staff for their patience and poise. They gave Neuchev the time he needed to adjust, and it is paying off with a massive increase in production throughout January. It will be interesting to see how the remainder of the season goes for the young Russian winger.
#1 Matthew Savoie, C, WHL (6GP, 4G, 8A, 12PTS)
What else can you say about Savoie? Much like players such as Brandt Clarke last season, Savoie has clearly outgrown junior hockey. He is an X-factor every single game, instilling fear into the opposing defenders. He’s dynamic through his speed, acceleration and edgework, not to mention his abilities with the puck. After a poor showing at the World Juniors (with an injury likely playing a large part in this), he has returned to a new team in the WHL with a vengeance. Now, in Moose Jaw, he has the luxury of playing with other talented players, such as Jagger Fircus (Seattle), Brayden Yager (Pittsburgh), and Denton Mateychuck (Columbus). The rest of the season will be more or less of an opportunity for him to showcase how dominant he can be. With a play style that is similar to the likes of Matthew Barzal, I decided to compare their production in their final year of junior. In 41 games, Barzal had 79 points. Should Savoie play the remainder of the season with no interferences from injuries or suspensions, he will play roughly 39 games and is on pace for 78 points. In his final season with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL, Barzal dragged his team all the way to the Memorial Cup with 25 points in 18 games. The Moose Jaw Warriors are currently positioned as a playoff team. Savoie will have a significant influence over how deep that playoff run ends up being. Perhaps he can continue to mirror Barzal’s ascension with a similar playoff performance.