2014 - 2015 Sabres Prospects

[Johnny DangerFace]

Prospect Information
Updated 3/1/2015

Prospect - A player under 25 who has not yet acquired a permanent spot at the NHL level and who's expected ceiling is at the NHL level. Once a player has played a full season at the NHL level, and is not expected to have to earn a spot in the following year, then they are no longer a prospect.



2014-2015 Graduates = Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov, Nicolas Deslauriers, Matt Hackett

2014-2015 "Removals" = Samuels-Thomas


(1) Sam Reinhart
Center, 19, 6-1 185, Canadian

Player Type: Two-Way/Playmaker (RH)
Current League: WHL - Kootenay Ice (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season)
Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA (Contract can slide one year if he plays less than 10 NHL games 2014-2015)
Acquired: Drafted 2014 Rd.1 (Pick 2)

(2) Mikhail Grigorenko
Center, 20, 6-3 200, Russian

Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.1 (Pick 12)

(3) Mark Pysyk
Defensemen, 23, 6-1 188, Canadian

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.1 (Pick 23)

(4) Hudson Fasching
Right Winger, 19, 6-3 215, American

Player Type: Scorer/Power Forward (RH)
Current League: NCAA - University of Minnesota (Sophomore)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Trade with Kings (Drafted 2013 - Rd.4)

(5) Jake McCabe
Defensemen, 21, 6-1 200, American

Player Type: Two-way Defensemen (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.2 (Pick 44)

(6) Nicholas Baptiste
Right Winger, 19, 6-1 200, Canadian

Player Type: Scorer/ Physical Two-Way Forward (RH)
Current League: OHL - Erie Otters (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.3 (Pick 69)

 

(7) Justin Bailey
Right Winger, 19, 6-3 190, American

Player Type: Scorer/Power-Forward (RH)
Current League: OHL - Kitchener Rangers (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season)
Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 52)
 

(8) Johan Larsson
Center, 22, 5-10 200, Swedish

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA

Acquired: Trade with Wild (Drafted 2010 - Rd.2)

 

(9) JT Compher
Center, 19, 5-10 180, American

Player Type: Playmaker (RH)
Current League: NCAA - Univ. of Michigan (Sophomore)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 35)

 

(10) Linus Ullmark
Goalie, 21, 6-3 198, Swedish

Current League: SHL - MODO
Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA
​Acquired: Draft 2012 Rd.6 (Pick 163)

 

(11) Cal Petersen
Goalie, 20, 6-1 174, American

Current League: NCAA - Univ. of Notre Dame (Freshman)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
​Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 129)

 

(12) William Carrier
Left Winger, 20, 6-2 196, Canadian

Player Type: Playmaker/Two-Way Forward (LH)
Current League:AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Trade with Blues (Drafted 2013 - Rd.2)

 

(13) Connor Hurley
Center, 19, 6-0 178, American

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)
Current League: NCAA – University of Notre Dame (Freshman)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 38)

(14) Eric Cornel
Center, 18, 6-2 188, Canadian

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH)
Current League: OHL - Peterborough Petes (AHL Eligible = 2016 - 2017 season)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL
Acquired: Draft 2014 Rd.2 (Pick 44)

(15) Gustav Possler
Left Winger, 20, 6-1 181, Swedish

Player Type: Scorer (LH)
Current League: SHL - MODO
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 3 more years
Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 130)

 

(16) Brycen Martin
Defensemen, 18, 6-2 188, Canadian

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (LH)
Current League: WHL - Swift Current Broncos
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in QMJHL
Acquired: Drafted 2014 Rd.3 (Pick 74)

 

(17) Tim Schaller
Left Winger, 24, 6-2 209, American

Player Type: Grinder (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: 2013 Free Agent

 

(18) Vaclav Karabacek
Left Winger, 18, 6-0 183, Czech Republic

Player Type: Scorer (LH)
Current League: QMJHL - Gatineau Olympiques (AHL Eligible = 2016 - 2017 season)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in QMJHL
Acquired: Draft 2014 Rd.2 (Pick 49)

 

(19) Chad Ruhwedel
Defensemen, 24, 5-11 187, American

Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (RH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Two years remaining, then RFA
Acquired: 2013 Free Agent
Performance: Reaching Expectations

 

(20) Andrey Makarov
Goalie, 21, 6-1 193, Russian

Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: 2012 Free Agent

 

(21) Sean Malone
Center, 19, 5-11 180, American

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH)
Current League: NCAA – Harvard (Sophomore)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.6 (Pick 159)

 

(22) Anthony Florentino
Defenseman, 20, 6-1 210, American

Player Type: Physical Two-Way Defensemen (RH)
Current League: NCAA - Providence College (Sophomore)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
​Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 143)

 

(23) Jonas Johansson
Goalie, 19, 6-4 193, Swedish

Current League: SHL - Brynas
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 3 more years
​Acquired: Draft 2014 Rd.3 (Pick 61)

 

(24) Philip Varone
Center, 24, 5-10 186, Canadian

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: 2011 Free Agent

 

(25) Jean Dupuy
Left Winger, 20, 6-3 194, Canadian

Player Type: Grinder (LH)
Current League: OHL - Greyhounds
Contract: 3 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Free Agent (2014)

 

(26) Victor Olofsson
Right Winger, 19, 5-11 187, Swedish

Player Type: Scorer (LH)
Current League: SHL - MODO
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 3 more years
Acquired: Draft 2014 Rd.7 (Pick 181)

 

(27) Christopher Brown
Center, 18, 6-0 183, American

Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (RH)
Current League: USHL - Green Bay Gamblers (Boston College in 2015)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Drafted 2014 Rd.6 (Pick 151)

 

(28) Daniel Catenacci
Left Winger, 22, 5-10 180, Canadian

Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.3 (Pick 77)

 

(29) Justin Kea
Center, 21, 6-4 211, Canadian

Player Type: Grinder/Two Way Forward (LH)
Current League: ECHL
Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.3 (Pick 73)

 

(30) Jason Kasdorf
Goaltender, 22, 6-4 201, Canadian

Current League: NCAA
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Trade with Jets (Drafted 2011 - Rd.6)

 

(31) Brady Austin
Defensemen, 21, 6-4 230, Canadian

Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.7 (Pick 193)

 

(32) Jerry D'Amigo
Left Winger, 23, 5-11 203, American

Player Type: Two-way Forward (LH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: Trade with Blue Jackets (Drafted 2009 Rd.6)

 

(33) Max Willman

Left Winger, 19, 6-0 183, American

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH)
Current League: NCAA – Brown Univ (Freshman)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Drafted 2014 Rd.5 (Pick 121)

 

(34) Nathan Lieuwen
Goaltender, 23, 6-5 181, Canadian

Current League: AHL
Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2009 Rd.6 (pick 167)

(35) Jerome Leduc

Defensemen, 22, 6-2 196, Canadian

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 68)

 

(36) Kevin Sundher
Center, 23, 5-11 180, Canadian

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)
Current League: ECHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 75)

(37) Colin Jacobs
Right Winger, 22, 6-1 210, American

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH)
Current League: ECHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.4 (Pick 107)

 

Edited March 22, 2015 by Vlad Dangerslakov

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Thanks for putting in the effort!

 

 

[dudacek]

I don't agree with every fine point, but that's an outstanding piece of work Numark.

Thank you.

 

Observation of the day: The Sabres are going to have to do some trading up and take full advantage of loopholes like minor-league-only contracts to avoid squandering prospects against the 50-contract limit. And they needed Elmira to give everybody playing time.

 

Darkhorse prediction: Tim Schaller will see the NHL before many of the players ahead of him.

[inkman]

I just have a hard time considering that pool good or deep with Chad "costanza" Ruhwedal just out side the top 10. He's just not that good.

 

 

[shrader]

I just have a hard time considering that pool good or deep with Chad "costanza" Ruhwedal just out side the top 10. He's just not that good.

 

Let's face it, you're complaining about a guy who is listed at 13 in those rankings. I'd venture a guess that most teams don't have a prospect pool that has more than five NHL level guys on it, let alone ten or 13. If someone really is that far down on a list, you're looking at a 13th forward or a 7th defenseman. Sure, someone could step up and surprise, but my money would never be on the oldest guy on the list (or one of the three oldest, I'm too lazy to look up the birthdays).

 

 

And looking over the list, the thought came to mind that I haven't heard much about contract signings for the 2012 draft class. If my memory is correct, Kea already got one last year. What about the rest of those guys? Has there been any talk of who will/won't get a contract?

[LGR4GM]

I don't agree with every fine point, but that's an outstanding piece of work Numark.

Thank you.

 

Observation of the day: The Sabres are going to have to do some trading up and take full advantage of loopholes like minor-league-only contracts to avoid squandering prospects against the 50-contract limit. And they needed Elmira to give everybody playing time.

 

Darkhorse prediction: Tim Schaller will see the NHL before many of the players ahead of him.

I've read a lot of good things about Schaller. We could use a possession bruising 4th line center. That said he is one of those players I would like to see spend an entire season in Rochester. I think more pro experience can only help him.

 

I just have a hard time considering that pool good or deep with Chad "costanza" Ruhwedal just out side the top 10. He's just not that good.

That may be true but we have 4 picks in the top 2rounds this year and 4 again next year. I wouldn't worry about Ruhwedal. Besides like Shrader says, he would be a 7th defender in that depth chart which isn't really a problem.

 

The real problem as I see it going into this draft and season is that we have Grigs, Armia, Larsson as some of our top offensive prospects and I would say all of them are NHL ????? This team desperately needs forward talent still IMPO. Fasching, Compher, Baptiste, Possler those guys look really good but are at least another 1-3 years away from seeing the NHL.

[X. Benedict]

I just have a hard time considering that pool good or deep with Chad "costanza" Ruhwedal just out side the top 10. He's just not that good.

 

The coming problem isn't the cap or the salary floor, it is how to keep all the future prospects under the 50 contract limit.

I think with a decent year between the A and the NHL...Rudy will be trade-bait.

[nfreeman]

That was a great writeup, Numark. Thanks.

[Johnny DangerFace]

Also the rankings were done by a mix of ceiling/likelihood to reach ceiling. So players like Larsson and Ruhwedel have lower ceilings than players around them in the rankings, but I feel they have a higher chance of reaching them. It's not a ranking if the best or most valuable prospects. But I'm no prospect expert, that's for sure!

[X. Benedict]

Also the rankings were done by a mix of ceiling/likelihood to reach ceiling. So players like Larsson and Ruhwedel have lower ceilings than players around them in the rankings, but I feel they have a higher chance of reaching them. It's not a ranking if the best or most valuable prospects. But I'm no prospect expert, that's for sure!

I enjoyed your work. Nice.

[Taro T]

Numark,

Nice read. 1 q: what does your 1/5 - 4/5 rating mean? Is that the %age of confidence you have in your projection or something else? Thanks.

[Johnny DangerFace]

Numark,

Nice read. 1 q: what does your 1/5 - 4/5 rating mean? Is that the %age of confidence you have in your projection or something else? Thanks.

 

So I put their potential (in my opinion), and then put what level of likelihood there is of them reaching the potential. 5/5 would mean a top 3-5 pick, while 1/5 is the lowest possible level!

 

Don't think of it as percentages (80% likely, or 100% likely), as there is no such thing as 100% likely. Just think of it as intervals, a 5/5 would be a sure-thing who is assumed will reach his potential (ekblad, mackinnon). While ristolainen is the next interval down.

 

 

Top six forward examples:

5/5 = Mackinnon, Bennett, McDavid

4/5 = Virtanen, Dal Colle

3/5 = Grigorenko, Armia

2/5 = JT Compher

1/5 = Any 3rd rounder

Edited May 22, 2014 by Numark

[Taro T]

So I put their potential (in my opinion), and then put what level of likelihood there is of them reaching the potential. 5/5 would mean a top 3-5 pick, while 1/5 is the lowest possible level!

 

Don't think of it as percentages (80% likely, or 100% likely), as there is no such thing as 100% likely. Just think of it as intervals, a 5/5 would be a sure-thing who is assumed will reach his potential (ekblad, mackinnon). While ristolainen is the next interval down.

 

 

Top six forward examples:

5/5 = Mackinnon, Bennett, McDavid

4/5 = Virtanen, Dal Colle

3/5 = Grigorenko, Armia

2/5 = JT Compher

1/5 = Any 3rd rounder

Thanks.

[Brawndo]

Hockey Future's Sabres Prospect Awards.

 

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/108055/skill-and-depth-on-display-in-buffalo-sabres-prospect-awards/

[26CornerBlitz]

Ullmark signs three year ELC.

[X. Benedict]

Ullmark signs three year ELC.

 

good job, gee'em-tee'em.

[mphs mike]

Thanks Numark - I was most interested in the contract status I was just wondering about Fasching after reading that e signed Deslauriers

[dudacek]

Fasching just finished his freshman college season. I think he'll play at least one more year in college.

(Then a year in the minors before becoming the Ken Hodge to Draisaitl's Esposito and McDavid's Bobby Orr. Because the off-season is a time to dream.)

[Brawndo]

Wonder if he starts in Elmira or Rochester and does this mean anything for Hackett's Future in the organization?

[26CornerBlitz]

Wonder if he starts in Elmira or Rochester and does this mean anything for Hackett's Future in the organization?

 

He'll spend another year in the SHL with Modo.

[Hoss]

 

 

He'll spend another year in the SHL with Modo.

 

Beat me to it. Then I'd guess he'll spend a year in Rochester.

[26CornerBlitz]

Update on Hackett:

@MattHackett31 10h

Back to buffalo surgery tomorrow

[dudacek]

Obviously not all these guys will make it, and some of them will be traded.

But projecting five years down the road:

 

First line potential:, 2014 Buf, 2015 NYI, 2015 Buf, Myers, Ristolainen, Zadorov,

Middle six potential: Hodgson, Ennis, Girgensons, Armia, Grigorenko, Foligno, Fasching, Compher, Baptiste, Hurley, Bailey, Pysyk, McCabe, Ullmark

Bottom six potential: Deslauriers, Carrier, Larsson, Kea, Schaller, Catenacci, Ruhwedel, Makarov, Peterson

 

Throw in three seconds this year and the Blues first and two more seconds next year to get a blue chip goalie prospect and a few more defenceman.

That's 35 players with a legitimate shot at being useful NHLers, all the key roles covered, and a good mix of speed, size, skill and compete.

 

Even if only two-thirds of them make it, it will be pretty hard not to be a good team.

Edited May 28, 2014 by dudacek

[dudacek]

For example, it could come together like this:

Fasching/Eichel/Reinhart

Armia/Girgensons/Hodgson

Compher/Grigorenko/Foligno

Deslauriers/Larsson/Catenacci

Zadorov/Ristolainen

Myers/McCabe

Pysyk/Weber

Enroth

Ullmark

[Hoss]

For example, it could come together like this:

Fasching/Eichel/Reinhart

Armia/Girgensons/Hodgson

Compher/Grigorenko/Foligno

Deslauriers/Larsson/Catenacci

Zadorov/Ristolainen

Myers/McCabe

Pysyk/Weber

Enroth

Ullmark

 

That lineup, while there are a lot of unknown players with solid potential, looks terrible. But that's because they obviously won't have a lineup five years from now filled only of players already here or drafted in the coming years.