The Sabres Prospect Pool 2024 Edition

[LGR4GM]

Östlund with 4g, 6a in his last 10 games. Dude needs that garbage plate diet still.

[LGR4GM]

21 hours ago, Brawndo said:

2. Östlund

3.Levi

4. Helenius

5. Wahlberg 

6. Rosen

7. Ziemer 

8. Poltapov

9. Novikov

10. Komarov

 

Next three

Leinonen, Kozak and Neuchev 

I think Novikov is underrated still. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

41 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I think Novikov is underrated still. 

If his skating is good enough he’ll have a 10 year + career.  Same for Komarov.  I’d like to see Novikov to get some games in the NHL soon to see where his skating is.   

[Mr. Allen]

22 hours ago, Brawndo said:

2. Östlund

3.Levi

4. Helenius

5. Wahlberg 

6. Rosen

7. Ziemer 

8. Poltapov

9. Novikov

10. Komarov

 

Next three

Leinonen, Kozak and Neuchev 

I’m glad Östlund is getting some love.  Lot of people on here were not high on him.  Dudes been playing great.  

[Turbo44]

The worry about the high performing Roch Amer players is does it translate to the NHL.

we desperately need Levi to be the real deal as UPL has been beyond disappointing this year and I think Levi has a good chance, as Goalie’s develop slowly.

whom I’m worried about are Östlund, Whalberg and Rosen. The two big Russian Dmen will be interesting to watch too

Edited February 16 by Turbo44

[Crusader1969]

1 hour ago, inkman said:

The guy that’s never coming to North America?

You must be fun at parties. 

[LGR4GM]

48 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

If his skating is good enough he’ll have a 10 year + career.  Same for Komarov.  I’d like to see Novikov to get some games in the NHL soon to see where his skating is.   

Skating is def the big question for his nhl career. 

[LGR4GM]

19 minutes ago, Turbo44 said:

The worry about the high performing Roch Amer players is does it translate to the NHL.

we desperately need Levi to be the real deal as UPL has been beyond disappointing this year and I think Levi has a good chance, as Goalie’s develop slowly.

whom I’m worried about are Östlund, Whalberg and Rosen. The two big Russian Dmen will be interesting to watch too

Why are you worried about Östlund, Rosen, and Wahlberg? Or maybe, what about them worries you? Just curious to know. 

[Jorcus]

23 hours ago, Brawndo said:

2. Östlund

3.Levi

4. Helenius

5. Wahlberg 

6. Rosen

7. Ziemer 

8. Poltapov

9. Novikov

10. Komarov

 

Next three

Leinonen, Kozak and Neuchev 

 

I guess the Ryan Johnson era is over?

[inkman]

14 minutes ago, Jorcus said:

 

I guess the Ryan Johnson era is over?

He’ll probably turn into Rob Neidermeyer with some other team 

[GASabresIUFAN]

9 minutes ago, Jorcus said:

 

I guess the Ryan Johnson era is over?

No not exactly, but at 23 (24 in July), most media members stop listing him as a 'prospect."

I use a broader definition of 24 years old and still waivers exempt, but writers like Lance, or the guys at the Athletic use a less expansive definition.  I use the broader definition because both TNT and Mitts spent considerable time in the NHL before going to Roch and finding their games.  

For example: This is Wheeler's definition from the Athletic  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5919859/2025/01/08/nhl-prospects-rankings-2025/

Quote

 

Criteria

Skaters: To be considered a prospect, a skater must be under 23 years old and not established as a full-time NHL player with their club. The latter qualifier is the arbitrary section of the criteria. 

 

 

[Flashsabre]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Östlund with 4g, 6a in his last 10 games. Dude needs that garbage plate diet still.

I don’t disagree with you but I read he packed on pounds while he was injured and he looks noticeably bigger.

Glad to see him playing so well. Him and Helenuis give them some good centre depth for the future. 
 

Wahlberg is the real wildcard. If he continues to develop he will give them a true power forward with skill.

I like Novikov, Komarov, Strabek and Kleber but they can’t wait for them to develop. They need to address the backed now at the NHL level.

Edited February 16 by Flashsabre

[inkman]

Just now, Flashsabre said:

I don’t disagree with you but I read he packed on pounds while he was injured and he looks noticeably bigger.

Glad to see him playing so well. Him and Helenuis give them some good centre depth for the future. 

What future?  Perennial last place contenders?  I can’t wait to see the future kids suck as much as the current kids.  

[GASabresIUFAN]

3 minutes ago, inkman said:

What future?  Perennial last place contenders?  I can’t wait to see the future kids suck as much as the current kids.  

...The sun will come out tomorrow....

 

[Crusader1969]

3 hours ago, inkman said:

What future?  Perennial last place contenders?  I can’t wait to see the future kids suck as much as the current kids.  

I know it sucks they've been bad for so long and it's hard to see them ever getting better but it's no reason to piss on every post that has a slight bit of optimism.   
 

let's remember its just hockey.  It really doesn't have any real impact on our lives , except maybe an escape from reality a few nights a week. 
 

 

[SabreFinn]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/buffalo-sabres-isak-rosen-strong-season-ahl-rochester-americans

[inkman]

On 2/16/2025 at 3:24 PM, Crusader1969 said:

You must be fun at parties. 

Dude ain’t coming until 2027.  It’s pretty hard to be optimistic about a guy we won’t even get a sniff of for 2.5 more years.  

[Flashsabre]

Leenders was OHL goalie of the month: 

“Goaltender of the Month – Ryerson Leenders (Brantford Bulldogs)
Buffalo Sabres prospect Ryerson Leenders of the Brantford Bulldogs has been named the OHL Goaltender of the Month for February, posting an impressive .921 save percentage. Leenders went 9-1-1-0 during the month, making 352 saves and recording four performances with 35+ saves. His standout moment came on February 14, when he made 43 saves in a 10-1 victory over the Niagara IceDogs. Leenders’ strong play was pivotal in keeping the Bulldogs at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, securing their spot in the 2025 OHL Playoffs.

Playing his third OHL season, the 18-year-old from Nanticoke, Ont., has compiled a record of 26-12-3-0 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .907 save percentage through 41 games. Originally selected by the Mississauga Steelheads in the second round of the 2022 OHL Priority Selection, Leenders was traded to Brantford ahead of the 2024-25 season. In 122 career regular-season games with both teams, he holds a 62-44-10-0 record with three shutouts, a 3.23 GAA, and a .901 save percentage. Leenders was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft (202nd overall).”

[Flashsabre]

Kid has great hands. Needs to improve feet a bit but the talent is there.

[Crusader1969]

Who's been watching the Amerks? Unfortunately I haven't with them moving to FLOtv

has Östlund moved into the #1 slot on the Sabres prospect rankings? 
 

[North Buffalo]

Watched UMass v Maine tonight... any guys on Maine in Sabres pipeline? UMass dominated... number of Big D on UMass that can skate and shoot but dont think any in Sabres system.. Maine ranked 2 in hockey East but not their night.

[Flashsabre]

30 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

Who's been watching the Amerks? Unfortunately I haven't with them moving to FLOtv

has Östlund moved into the #1 slot on the Sabres prospect rankings? 
 

Personally I would say Levi is their number 1 prospect because of the importance of the position and him excelling.

I would say Östlund is second. But Helenuis is 2 years younger and playing in the AHL too. Both are on a good track right now

[Crusader1969]

5 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Personally I would say Levi is their number 1 prospect because of the importance of the position and him excelling.

I would say Östlund is second. But Helenuis is 2 years younger and playing in the AHL too. Both are on a good track right now

And Rosen? Can't keep him in AHL forever.   
hopefully they play him the last 20 games and see what they have in hIm