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More roster discussion with the penultimate free agent in the organization: #59 Tim Schaller C (24-year-old RFA) Rochester 65/15/28/43/3/116 Buffalo 18/1/1/1/-5/2 If there was an award for the most under-the-radar prospect for the Sabres going in to last year, it would probably have gone to Tim Schaller. By the end of the year, if there was another award for most improved prospect, he would have been in the running for that as well. A New Hampshire-born undrafted college free agent, Schaller parlayed decent size and a reputation for responsible play into a professional contract, but his lack of skill made him an apparent longshot for an NHL career. Two years later, he’s certainly grown in stature. The rookie’s strong final month in Rochester caught the organization’s attention and he followed that up with a good camp last fall. Adding some surprising offensive numbers in his second AHL season to go with his continued attention to detail, he ended up being one the primary Rochester call-ups. While he certainly didn’t stand out in the NHL, he didn’t look out of place on the fourth line either. As an older prospect seeking a new contract, he is at a crossroads. He’s well down the team’s list of centre ice prospects, but even the most loaded teams need serviceable fourth liners. It’s not yet clear if he is just another warm body, or whether he can provide good service as an 11th-13th forward in the manner of a Cody McCormick. Links to the rest of the series: Anders Lindback: http://forums.sabres...nders-lindback/ Pat Kaleta: http://forums.sabres...patrick-kaleta/ Johan Larsson: http://forums.sabres...-johan-larsson/ Matt Hackett: http://forums.sabres...1-matt-hackett/ Andrej Meszaros: http://forums.sabres...ndrej-meszaros/ Phil Varone, Zac Dalpe, Jerry D'Amigo: http://forums.sabres...e-dalpe-damigo/ Mikhail Grigorenko: http://forums.sabres...ail-grigorenko/ Tyson Strachan, Andre Benoit: http://forums.sabres...han-and-benoit/ Mark Pysyk: http://forums.sabrespace.com/topic/23414-roster-review-3-mark-pysyk/

Next up in our player discussion series: #22 Johan Larsson F (22-year-old RFA) Rochester 43/15/23/38/+11/38 Buffalo 39/6/10/16/0/12 Larsson came to North America three years ago, considered just another promising European second-rounder. But in Sweden, he was very highly regarded. At 17, he scored 14 points in five games at World Under18s, leading Sweden to silver. At 18, he won rookie of the year in his first season in the Swedish Elite League, helping Brynas win the championship. And at 19, he captained the Swedes to the 2012 World Junior title. Larsson sparkled on the farm during his first two years with the Buffalo organization after being acquired in the Jason Pominville trade. Playing wing and centre, and in all situations, he was possibly the Amerks’ best all-around player this year and last. But in Buffalo it was a different story. In his first 54 Sabre games, he had just seven points, rarely getting ice time beyond the fourth line. He complained about lack of opportunity, earning a reprimand from coach Ted Nolan. Those quotes sparked internet speculation that he would head back to Europe in frustration this fall. After the trade deadline, Larsson finally got the opportunity he craved. He took advantage, registering 13 points and a +1 in the season’s last 17 games, where he played as the team’s number one centre, often matched against the opponents’ top lines. Has he cemented a role with the team? Is it at centre, or on the wing? Is he a good fourth-liner, a solid third-liner, or can he play in the top six? Will he be pushed aside to make room for Reinhart and Eichel? And how will that possibility affect his contract talks and his role with the team going forward?