{"id":51686,"date":"2025-07-09T15:11:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-09T15:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/51686\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T15:11:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T15:11:11","slug":"2025-26-nhl-prospect-pool-breakdown-buffalo-sabres-top-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/51686\/","title":{"rendered":"2025-26 NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown: Buffalo Sabres\u2019 Top 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for Daily Faceoff\u2019s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We\u2019re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.<\/p>\n

The criteria for being labeled a \u201cprospect\u201d are simple: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included, with goaltenders needing to be 25 or under.<\/p>\n

Today, we\u2019re kicking off the new year by looking at the\u00a0Buffalo Sabres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Sabres have had a top 15 pipeline for a few years now, and that won\u2019t change this year. <\/p>\n

But at a certain point, the team is going to need to start figuring out things on the NHL side and, you know, make the playoffs. Maybe that means shipping off some younger players to bring in immediate help, like they did with Matthew Savoie last summer. Or maybe one of these future pieces will ultimately live it up large and carry the team forward after all these years of misery.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to like about Buffalo\u2019s pipeline. They\u2019ve got great center depth, starting with Konsta Helenius. They\u2019ve got plenty of defenders with NHL potential, too. I even like their goaltenders, with Devon Levi, Ryerson Leenders and Scott Ratzlaff leading the way. It\u2019s a solid pipeline \u2013 but they\u2019ve got to take a bigger step forward this year to make all that drafting work worth it.<\/p>\n

Biggest Strength<\/p>\n

You could go two ways here \u2013 either center depth, or size on the blueline. I\u2019ll focus on the latter, especially after the Sabres drafted the 6-foot-6 Radim Mrtka this summer. Mrtka might be the only one with top-pairing potential (but I feel like he\u2019ll be better suited in a second-pair role), but they\u2019ve got plenty of bigger defenders who should make the team much tougher to play against. There isn\u2019t room for all of them, obviously, but teams crave size on the back end, and Buffalo has plenty of bullets in the chamber between Mrtka, Nikita Novikov, Adam Kleber, and David Bedkowski, among others.<\/p>\n

Biggest Weakness<\/p>\n

The Sabres have plenty going on on the wings in the NHL, but not as much deeper down the pipeline. With as many centers as they have, there are a few who could transfer over to the sides if needed. The best pure winger is Isak Ros\u00e9n, who has been incredibly productive as a U-23 player in the AHL the past two years. Beyond that, though, I don\u2019t see any others making an NHL impact \u2013 and maybe that\u2019s not the worst thing given the lack of opportunities with the big club.<\/p>\n

Fast Facts:<\/strong>
NHL GM<\/strong>: Kevyn Adams
Assistant<\/strong>\u00a0Dir. Amateur Scouting:\u00a0<\/strong>Jason Nightingale
Dir. of Player Development:<\/strong>\u00a0Adam Mair
AHL<\/strong>\u00a0Affiliate:<\/strong>\u00a0Rochester Americans
ECHL Affiliate:\u00a0<\/strong>Jacksonville Icemen<\/p>\n

TOP 10 PROSPECTS<\/p>\n

\"\"Devon Levi (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

1. Konsta Helenius,<\/a> C, 19 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 14th overall, first round in 2024<\/p>\n

Helenius had a productive season in the top Finnish league two years ago and then put up a solid 35 points as an AHL rookie. He didn\u2019t score at the World Juniors but was one of Finland\u2019s best two-way players and setup guys. What sets Helenius apart from others in Buffalo\u2019s system is his exceptional hockey IQ. He\u2019s a creative player who rarely lets a play die in order to just make a pass. On the power play, he\u2019s patient but calculated \u2013 and while he can\u2019t slow things down on the man advantage now like he did against his age group, he\u2019s learning to adjust. He should be able to make the jump to NHL duty in another year or two.<\/p>\n

2. Radim Mrtka<\/a>, RHD, 18 (Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted ninth overall, first round in 2025<\/p>\n

The Sabres wanted a defender with their first pick, and they got the guy many considered to be the second-best in the class. He can shoot, pass and even pull off some high-skill moves. While Mrtka is strong physically, he uses his size more to win battles and fend off attackers than to knock someone over. His ability to get hit but remain in control is second-to-none among defenders in this class. Mrtka didn\u2019t score much this past season, but he does a good job of rushing the puck into the offensive zone. He plays a high-risk, high-reward game where he\u2019ll often go for the passes that could result in a higher-quality chance.<\/p>\n

3. Noah \u00d6stlund, C, 21 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 16th overall, first round in 2022<\/p>\n

\"\"Noah Ostlund (Steven Ellis\/Daily Faceoff)<\/p>\n

\u00d6stlund made his NHL debut this past season, and while he didn\u2019t register a point in eight games, you still noticed him. The smart, playmaking forward might not beat guys with pure skill, but he\u2019ll outthink you in tight situations and will find his linemates on the rush. He had a solid first year in North America, scoring 19 goals and 36 points in 45 games. He struggled in the playoffs, but it was an overall solid first year in Rochester for the 21-year-old. Next year will be about finding more consistency and adding a bit more muscle to his game.<\/p>\n

4. Devon Levi, G, 23 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Trade with Florida Panthers in 2021<\/p>\n

Levi has been a star in the AHL the past two seasons, which included watching him put up seven shutouts in 2024-25. But his NHL tenure has been much more difficult, even by Buffalo standards. He just hasn\u2019t found a way to crack onto the big team full-time yet, which led the Sabres to sign veteran Alex Lyon<\/a> to a two-year contract this summer. So it feels like there\u2019s a bit of a hurdle for Levi to get himself into the NHL outside of being occasional injury insurance. Despite Levi being on the smaller side, there\u2019s still hope for him. He\u2019s extremely athletic and battles so hard. Some would argue Levi has the most upside of any goaltender in the Sabres\u2019 packed system \u2013 but is there a legit pathway to NHL success still?<\/p>\n

5. Isak Ros\u00e9n, RW, 22 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 14th overall, first round in 2021<\/p>\n

Ros\u00e9n might have had a quiet NHL stint, but he was electric in the AHL with 28 goals and 55 points. The skilled forward became a better play-driver this year, which was great to see given how creative he can be. In all my viewings, I\u2019ve loved how he can outthink defenders and create his own opportunities. Ros\u00e9n is also quite quick, too. I think with the right opportunity, Ros\u00e9n could put up 15-20 goals in a middle-six role. At some point, I want to see Ros\u00e9n given a real chance in the NHL to prove himself \u2013\u00a0but maybe it\u2019s not in Buffalo.<\/p>\n

6. Anton Wahlberg, C, 20 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 39th overall, second round in 2023<\/p>\n

\"\"Anton Wahlberg (Steven Ellis\/Daily Faceoff)<\/p>\n

Wahlberg put up 30 points in his first full season in Rochester while also finishing as one of Sweden\u2019s best wingers at the World Juniors. At his age, 30 points is nothing to sneeze at in the AHL. At 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, Wahlberg has a great frame, and he moves well enough to get where he needs to be. The more I watch him, the more I think he\u2019ll be a bottom-six energy forward \u2013\u00a0and I love that for him. His size, footwork and pure power give him an excellent base to build around. Not everyone is going to be a skilled point producer, and you need guys like Wahlberg who can do the dirty work while making opponents miserable.<\/p>\n

7. Brodie Ziemer, RW, 19 (Univ. of Minnesota, NCAA)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 71st overall, third round in 2024<\/p>\n

Ziemer is a personal favorite of mine. I loved him with the USNTDP \u2013 he felt extremely underrated. So it was great to see him have an excellent prospects challenge tournament last September before putting up a point-per-game at the World Juniors. Add in a 23-point run with the Golden Gophers and it was great seeing him be so productive. Ziemer works so hard, rarely loses a battle and plays a reliable, two-way game. His skating is still a work in progress, but everything else about his game suggests that he\u2019ll be a versatile, skilled NHLer.<\/p>\n

8. Nikita Novikov, LHD, 21 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 188th overall, sixth round in 2021<\/p>\n

Novikov\u2019s appeal is obvious \u2013\u00a0he\u2019s 6-foot-4, around 200 pounds and breaks up scoring lanes quite easily. He\u2019s also quite physical and has a decent shot, too. Anyone who has watched Novikov in the AHL the past two years know Rochester is much better with him in the D zone than without him. I also really like how mobile he is for his big frame, although I\u2019m not sure he\u2019s a burner, speed-wise. Still, there\u2019s a lot to like about Novikov, who looks capable of being a bottom-pairing NHL defender someday.<\/p>\n

9. Adam Kleber, RHD, 19 (University of Minnesota-Duluth, NCAA)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 42nd overall, second round in 2024<\/p>\n

\"\"Adam Kleber (Steven Ellis\/Daily Faceoff)<\/p>\n

Kleber had more of a muted first season at UMD, production-wise, but it shouldn\u2019t change his NHL trajectory. Known more for his defensive game than what he can do with the puck, he played more than 20 minutes a night all the way down the stretch and was as good as it gets in his own zone. At 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds, he\u2019s a punishing figure who I feel has gotten better with the puck over the past 18 months. Kleber should look to add more pace to his game, but I feel like his big frame, defensive awareness and the ability to handle the puck under pressure make him a good candidate to become a bottom-pairing NHLer, at least.<\/p>\n

10. Vsevolod Komarov, RHD, 21 (Rochester Americans, AHL)<\/p>\n

Acquired: Drafted 134th overall, fifth round in 2022<\/p>\n

Komarov turned pro last season after winning top defenseman honors in the QMJHL in 2023-24. It was a learning year for Komarov, who saw his ice time nearly double from 11 minutes to about 22 near the end of the season. The more he played, the more confident he seemed to be. He was a minute-muncher in the Q, and it feels like added responsibility serves Komarov well. He\u2019s a two-way defender who should find a way to be more involved offensively next season. There\u2019s no rush to push Komarov to the NHL, but some improvement with his footwork could do him wonders.<\/p>\n

The rest: Viktor Neuchev, LW (21), Olivier Nadeau, RW (22), Matous Kucharcik, C (18), Ashton Schultz, RW (18), Mlevin Novotny, RW (18), Ryan Rucinski, LW (18), Vasily Zelenov, LW (19), Gustav Karlsson, C (21), Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson, RW (21), Jake Richard, RW (20), Linus Sjodin, C (22), Prokhor Poltapov, LW (22), Stiven Sardarian, RW (22), Matteo Costantini, C (22), David Bedkowski, RHD (18), Isaac Belliveau, LHD (22), Noah Laberge, LHD (18), Simon-Pier Brunet, RHD (19), Patrick Geary, LHD (21), Luke Osburn, LHD (18), Sean Keohane, LHD (20), Gavin McCarthy, RHD (20), Norwin Panocha, LHD (20), Maxim Strbak, RHD (20), Ryerson Leenders, G (19), Evgeni Prokhorov, G (18), Samuel Meloche, G (17), Scott Ratzlaff, G (20), Topias Leinonen, G (21)<\/p>\n

SPONSORED BY bet365<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently by Steven Ellis<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome back. It\u2019s time for Daily Faceoff\u2019s third annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":51687,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[293,62,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-51686","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl","8":"tag-nhl","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-united-states","11":"tag-unitedstates","12":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114823920795024931","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51686"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51686\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/51687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}