After watching the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge, Buffalo Sabres fans should be excited about the talent already on the roster, as well as what’s to come. With elite offensive talent from recent 1st round picks and solid depth defensive drafting, Buffalo’s pipeline has a few more gems to add to an already skillful team. This article will dive into an in-depth analysis of the 5 players who stood out the most during their performances throughout the tournament.
5. Nikita Novikov: 3GP, 0G, 5A, 5 PTS
Perhaps the most surprising name on this list, Nikita Novikov, was a pleasant surprise for the Sabres at the rookie tournament. When looking at his profile, a 6’4 defenceman who has not produced in the Russian junior leagues or the KHL, you would assume he plays a stay-at-home and physical style of game. Instead, with an awkward stride, slick hands, and strong instincts, Novikov has a game resembling Mattias Ekholm’s.
Throughout the prospect challenge, Novikov displayed exemplary decision-making, poise, and puck placements. Watch a nice backhand assist here:
He often joined the rush and demonstrated intent to create offence from the point rather than throwing the puck below the goal line. With two full seasons in the KHL under his belt, Novikov looked like a seasoned veteran in the defensive zone. He frequently broke up plays with his long wingspan and reliable positioning. While his skating will need a lot of work, there was no evidence that it hinders his abilities against opponents around his own age.
Through the main camp and the preseason, the question will be whether Novikov can keep up with the pace of NHL-caliber players. With a logjam of defenceman ahead of him, Novikov is bound for the AHL. There, he will get the attention he deserves to refine his skating and add more urgency to his game.
4. Zach Metsa: 3GP, 0G, 1A, 1PTS
While Metsa did not have much of an impact on the scoreboard, the former Quinnipiac Bobcat captain and NCAA champion was a pleasant surprise at the prospect tournament. As an older prospect, Metsa displayed a level of maturity in his game, resulting in being at the right place at the right time through all three games.
Metsa’s game revolves around his skating ability and playing a solid two-way game. His evasiveness on the breakouts was a skill that really stood out. Without fail, he would find the open player and hit them with a pass in motion or skate away from pressure. See spin-o-rama move here:
While he is on the smaller side for a defenceman, his quickness, active stick and ability to angle his opponents to the outside resulted in many scoring chances being squashed before they could even begin. From an offensive standpoint, Metsa used deceptive skills to open up space for his teammates and generate high quality scoring chances.
While a roster spot is unlikely for the older prospect, a prominent role on the Americans is a great way to start a professional career. Metsa has proven at every level that if given the chance, he will compete, produce, and be a great teammate in the process.
3. Jiri Kulich: 2GP, 2G, 0A, 2PTS
Jiri Kulich showed why Buffalo fans should be so excited about his game. With a larger frame than some of the other big-name prospects in the Sabres pipeline, it is much easier to see Kulich fit onto the roster sooner rather than later. Throughout the tournament, he demonstrated a powerful stride, strong puck protection skills, and a lethal shot. With that skillset, Kulich does not need much time and space to make a team pay:
Kulich’s most significant asset to make the team ahead of some other big-name prospects is his ability to play a pro game at such a young age. During the two games he participated in, Kulich showed why he had success in the AHL as an 18 year old. Combined with a responsible two-way game, his patience, positioning and ability to find the open ice allowed him to be one step ahead of his opponents at the rookie challenge.
While it is evident that Kulich is a cerebral player who uses his anticipation skills to stay ahead of his opponents, when going through main camp and preseason games, he will have to up the consistency of his energy levels. With a competitive Sabres training camp ahead, Kulich will have an excellent opportunity to find himself in the middle of the lineup as the season begins.
2. Matthew Savoie: 2GP, 2G, 0A, 2PTS
Savoie was a dominant force throughout the rookie tournament, with 2 goals in game 1 vs. the Canadiens — highlighted by a spectacular second effort for goal #2:
It quickly became evident that he was one of the premier players at the prospect tournament. His game is predicated on speed. From impressive ankle flexion, full extensions and exceptional usage of crossovers to generate speed, Savoie constantly pushed defenders back and opened up space for his teammates.
During his draft year, one of the biggest knocks on his game was his mind being unable to keep up with his feet. After his performance at this year’s prospect tournament, the Sabres management should be excited about his growth in that regard. Another area in which Savoie impressed was his dedication to the defensive side of the game. Known for his offensive production in Junior, he also showed signs of maturity by using his elite speed to prevent chances. He often found himself below the puck on breakouts, displayed strong stick-checking technique, and forced players wide on the back check.
With another year of growth under his belt, Savoie is a favourite to push for a spot on the opening night roster out of main camp. His speed, skill, energy, and maturity will allow him to showcase why he can be a strong addition to an already lethal forward core.
1. Zach Benson: 3GP, 1G, 1A, 2PTS
The Sabre’s 2023 first-round pick did not disappoint at his first rookie tournament. Benson made his presence felt in all three games that he played. With exceptional awareness, Benson timed plays perfectly, jumping on loose pucks or sneaking behind the defence. He consistently generated scoring chances for himself and his teammates. More often than not, he was one step ahead of his opponents.
While his game is defined by skill and finesse, something that separates Benson from the prototypical skilled player is his willingness to battle for his space on the ice. His game is bursting with energy, often leading to him charging straight toward the net… or through it (here is a clip of Benson crashing through the net on a partial 2 on 1 →
With a strong showing at the prospect challenge, Benson is primed for an extensive look at the main camp. While his strength and top speed may hold him back one more year, the 13th overall pick from the 2023 draft looks to be in a Sabres uniform sooner rather than later.
About me:
My name is Cameron Hubscher. I am a sport management student at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario. My passion in life is hockey. From playing hockey as a kid to presently working for a junior team in Ontario as a data analyst and scout, I am always thinking about hockey. Now, with Die by the Blade, I get to write about it!