The Sabres Prospect Pool 2024 Edition

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

Also, you missed Benson

I didn’t miss Benson. I was comparing the first 3 years of Adams reign of destruction.  I also mentioned him in the sentence about the last 2 drafts.

Edited January 11 by GASabresIUFAN

[DarthEbriate]

12 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Then there is Adams.  He has 5 drafts so far.  He had 27 picks in his 1st 3 drafts (including 6 1st rd picks and 4 2nd rd picks).  So far we have just 3 NHLers (Quinn, JJP and Power).  Kulich also looks like an NHLer, but not quite there yet.  There are other possibilities like Novikov (6th rd in 2021), Rosen (1st rd in 2021), and maybe Kozak (7th round in 2021).  But there are major disappointments like Östlund (1st rd in 2022) and Savoie (1st rd 9th overall in 2022 - traded for McLeod) and the 3 2rd picks from 2021 & 22 (Leinonen, Poltapov, and Kisakov).  This doesn't mean others won't emerge from these 3 classes, but I'm not expecting anyone to make a major impact.  

I think it's too soon to judge the Adams picks. Admittedly, some are big swings at the same skinny guy (Kisakov, Sardarian, Neuchev). It is not too soon the dump on Adams for all manner of other things, including no blockers.

We've gotten accustomed to seeing the Sabres picks have immediate (good/ill) impacts in the NHL. And that is Adams' fault. Right back to Cozens. COVID provided a reason, but Cozens shouldn't have been on the opening night roster at age 19 (he wouldn't have been in non-COVID circumstances on a real team). He also got no AHL time. Benson likewise.

Savoie, Östlund, and Kulich are on proper NHL dev timelines. They should each get a little taste this season to show them the speed. Edmonton has a contending lineup, they'll probably still give Savoie 4-5 games down the stretch once they've got a playoff berth wrapped up to see what he's got.

[Archie Lee]

11 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

No, not yet.

But! Rosen should have been Wallstedt (or Cossa, but I'd have taken Wallstedt); Östlund should've been Kulich (according to my silly rankings), which would've allowed Kulich to be anyone, and Leinonen to be Del Bel Belluz.

Leinonen is currently in D+3 and is having a solid year in SWE-1, which, unless I'm mistaken, would be similar to the ECHL.  In Luukkonen's D+3 he was having a similar year in the ECHL. Cossa and Wallstedt are both late birthdays. By birth year, their D+2 is equal to Leinonen's D+3 (this can be hard to judge, they were drafted a year before Lainonen, but were born two years earlier; they are both 14 months older than Leinonen).  Neither has come close to establishing themselves as NHL players yet. In his D+2 Cossa was having a similar ECHL season to Leinonen's current season in SWE-1.  Wallstedt, now in D+4, appeared to be on a trajectory to the NHL by now, but has posted terrible #'s in the AHL (I'm not sure if he was injured for a period). 

The Sabres have been pretty steadfast under Adams in picking their BPA.  Leinonen appears to be the one acknowledged exception where they felt they wanted a goalie, identified the kid who they thought was the best in class, and decided they were taking him at #41 as they did not think he would be there at #74.  It is hard for me to conclude right now, that this was a draft-day mistake. There are only 2 players picked after Leinonen who have established themselves as NHL players, and pretty much every NHL team passed on them as well.  

[GASabresIUFAN]

@DarthEbriate Really?  Östlund is in his D3 season and had 2 points in 13 AHL games.  Helenius in his D1 season, who is also in his 1st NA season and is the same height as Östlund, has 17 pts in 28 games.  By the way, Östlund was taken 16th and Helenius 14th.  Who do you think will make an impact on the Sabres?

The truth is by D3 we should already have a pretty good idea who has an NHL future and who doesn’t. It’s why I really only discussed Adams first 3 drafts.  Take Novikov for example.  In his D3 season he came to NA and made an immediate positive impact on the Amerks.  He showed more offense than expected, was excellent defensively and has continued that this season.  IMHO he has a great shot at the NHL next season.  Kulich is D3 and is already carving out a role in the NHL.  Rosen, who is D4, is stuck in Rochester, isn’t even a point a game player in the AHL despite being in his 3rd AHL season as a 1st rd pick.  Does he have an NHL future? Possibly but likely only as a depth forward.  Think Joel Armia.  
 

 

Edited January 11 by GASabresIUFAN

[Archie Lee]

43 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I didn’t miss Benson. I was comparing the first 3 years of Adams reign of destruction.  I also mentioned him on the sentence about the last 2 years.

My mistake. 

[DarthEbriate]

16 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

Leinonen is currently in D+3 and is having a solid year in SWE-1, which, unless I'm mistaken, would be similar to the ECHL.  In Luukkonen's D+3 he was having a similar year in the ECHL. Cossa and Wallstedt are both late birthdays. By birth year, their D+2 is equal to Leinonen's D+3 (this can be hard to judge, they were drafted a year before Lainonen, but were born two years earlier; they are both 14 months older than Leinonen).  Neither has come close to establishing themselves as NHL players yet. In his D+2 Cossa was having a similar ECHL season to Leinonen's current season in SWE-1.  Wallstedt, now in D+4, appeared to be on a trajectory to the NHL by now, but has posted terrible #'s in the AHL (I'm not sure if he was injured for a period). 

To be fair, my biggest gripe with Leinonen is his name. It's right there spelled out for us! Don't draft him. 

Wallstedt was looking just fine in each of his first 2 AHL seasons and fully on future NHLer track with .908 and .910 (age 20 and 21 seasons as a goalie). This year he had an awful start to the season and it was in his head: https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-wild-jesper-wallstedt-goalie-called-up-john-hynes/601195310 , which accounts for the stats. Then, he got his game back together and earned a callup. However, he is now out with an "undisclosed" injury, which... could be alarming.

[DarthEbriate]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

@DarthEbriate Really?  Östlund is in his D3 season and had 2 points in 13 AHL games.  Helenius in his D1 season, who is also in his 1st NA season and is the same height as Östlund, has 17 pts in 28 games.  By the way, Östlund was taken 16th and Helenius 14th.  Who do you think will make an impact on the Sabres?

The truth is by D3 we should already have a pretty good idea who has an NHL future and who doesn’t. It’s why I really only discussed Adams first 3 drafts.  Take Novikov for example.  In his D3 season he came to NA and made an immediate positive impact on the Amerks.  He showed more offense than expected, was excellent defensively and has continued that this season.  IMHO he has a great shot at the NHL next season.  Kulich is D3 and is already carving out a role in the NHL.  Rosen, who is D4, is stuck in Rochester, isn’t even a point a game player in the AHL despite being in his 3rd AHL season as a 1st rd pick.  Does he have an NHL future? Possibly but likely only as a depth forward.  Think Joel Armia.  

Really. I'm not too worried about a 20 year-old not playing in the NHL, especially if he's smaller-framed and needs to fill out just for the AHL/NA ice surface, or could still be acclimatizing to living in the States. Specifically for Östlund, he has missed 20 games this season and I don't know if he was playing through anythingbefore it or if he's had a consistent line and role on the team as a result of the injury. I also wouldn't have picked Östlund; I had him behind Kulich, Ohgren, Miroshnichenko, probably even Yurov, especially since they had just drafted another small-framed guy in Savoie.

Rosén, I agree, but for him it's more that he's shown me nothing in the NHL, not even a glimmer. (Now, Kulich also didn't show much in his first handful of NHL games, either, but he did have a great shot as his calling card and he really did look solid in camp when he couldn't be taken off the puck.) Armia is a good comp, and honestly, getting a bottom 6 forward after the 15th pick is fine (though, I'd rather have Kucherov from that draft).

And I do agree, Helenius has a future in the NHL. Will either of them be with the Sabres? Too soon to say.

[Archie Lee]

42 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Really. I'm not too worried about a 20 year-old not playing in the NHL, especially if he's smaller-framed and needs to fill out just for the AHL/NA ice surface, or could still be acclimatizing to living in the States. Specifically for Östlund, he has missed 20 games this season and I don't know if he was playing through anythingbefore it or if he's had a consistent line and role on the team as a result of the injury. I also wouldn't have picked Östlund; I had him behind Kulich, Ohgren, Miroshnichenko, probably even Yurov, especially since they had just drafted another small-framed guy in Savoie.

Rosén, I agree, but for him it's more that he's shown me nothing in the NHL, not even a glimmer. (Now, Kulich also didn't show much in his first handful of NHL games, either, but he did have a great shot as his calling card and he really did look solid in camp when he couldn't be taken off the puck.) Armia is a good comp, and honestly, getting a bottom 6 forward after the 15th pick is fine (though, I'd rather have Kucherov from that draft).

And I do agree, Helenius has a future in the NHL. Will either of them be with the Sabres? Too soon to say.

On Rosen, it might be that he is not in the NHL because he is with an org that has a lot of young forwards on the NHL team and that has no need for his ELC. Had he been drafted closer to his consensus draft position, then maybe he is with an org that is closer to the cap, has fewer prospects, and needs his ELC. Perhaps then he is playing on a 3rd line with a couple of solid vets and generating acceptable stats. 

Rosen only got into one game so far this year. Last year he played 7. These are his most common linemates: Olofsson, Jost, Biro. That’s how we support our 1st rd, 20 year old call-up. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 hour ago, DarthEbriate said:

Really. I'm not too worried about a 20 year-old not playing in the NHL, especially if he's smaller-framed and needs to fill out just for the AHL/NA ice surface, or could still be acclimatizing to living in the States. Specifically for Östlund, he has missed 20 games this season and I don't know if he was playing through anythingbefore it or if he's had a consistent line and role on the team as a result of the injury. I also wouldn't have picked Östlund; I had him behind Kulich, Ohgren, Miroshnichenko, probably even Yurov, especially since they had just drafted another small-framed guy in Savoie.

Rosén, I agree, but for him it's more that he's shown me nothing in the NHL, not even a glimmer. (Now, Kulich also didn't show much in his first handful of NHL games, either, but he did have a great shot as his calling card and he really did look solid in camp when he couldn't be taken off the puck.) Armia is a good comp, and honestly, getting a bottom 6 forward after the 15th pick is fine (though, I'd rather have Kucherov from that draft).

And I do agree, Helenius has a future in the NHL. Will either of them be with the Sabres? Too soon to say.

The problem for Östlund is that he may already be down the center depth chart behind Helenius and Wahlberg.  Helenius will likely be on the callup list sometime next season and in the NHL the season after that.  The Amerks are actually listing him at LW.  That might give him a better shot than center strangely enough, but how many under 6' forwards do we really want or need?

[GASabresIUFAN]

Top 20 (plus 1) prospects at mid-season.  Rules: 24 and under with less than 100 NHL games (50 for goalies)[Still waivers exempt] and has spent time in the AHL or lower this season or finished in the AHL or lower last season.  Benson graduates with 107 NHL games now under his belt.  Quick note; I tend to look at time to the NHL as a tiebreaking factor in the ratings.  The closer a player is to contributing at the NHL level the higher their rating all else being equal.    

1. Helenius - C - 14th over all 2024 draft - 17 points in 28 AHL games at 18 is impressive.  Looked good at the U20s.

2. Levi - G - 212th pick in 2020 - Tearing up the AHL again (15-2-2 with a .918 save % and 2.12 Gaa).  Hopefully will translate to NHL soon

3. Kulich - C/W - 28th pick in 2022 - 9 pts in 31 NHL games this season, but was much improved until his recent injury.

4. Rosen - C/W - 14th overall in 2021 - 28 pts in 31 AHL games this season.  Likely will earn another callup soon.  

5. Wahlberg - C - 39th overall in 2023 - 11 pts in 26 AHL games in first NA season.  Was very good at the U20's with 8 pts (4 goals) in 7 games.

6. Östlund - C/W - 16th overall in 2022 - 2 pts in 13 AHL games in first AHL season.  Has been injured.  

7. Novikov - D - pick 188 in the 2021 draft - Continues to improve in the AHL.  13 pts in 34 games including 4 goals and a +21.  I expect a callup this season.

8. Neuchev - LW - 74th in the 2022 draft - Like Novikov, he continues to improve in the A with 19pts in 31 AHL games.  2 way play still needs work

9. R Johnson - D - 31st pick in 2019 - Has played 44 NHL games the last two years.  Not showing much pro offense in AHL or NHL.  

10. Kozak - C - 193rd pick in 2021 draft - Has earned 2 callups this seasons.  12 pts in 24 AHL games for the grinding forward.  Looked solid as a depth NHLer.

11. Poltapov - LW  - 33rd in 2021 - 26 pts in 43 KHL games.  Scoring has slowed after a hot start.  Could be good 3rd line forward if he ever comes to NA.

12. Ziemer - RW - 71st in 2024 - 11 pts in 21 NCAA games for Minn.  Strong contribution to the US's Gold medal at the 2025 U20s with 7 pts (3g) in 7 games.

13. Komarov - D - 134th in 2022 - Solid start to 1st AHL reason with 8 pts in 32 games with a +4 for the big defender. 

14. Sardarian - RW - 88th in 2021 - Game exploding with move to Mich Tech.  27 pts (9g) in 21 NCAA games.  Great to see for a reportedly really good kid.

15. Strbak - D - 45th in 2023 - Improving big physical D with 9 pts in 17 NCAA games and a strong showing at the U20s with 6 pts in 6 games. 

16. Miedema - LW - 109th in 2023 - Blossoming big forward has 41 pts (16g) in 38 OHL games. 

17. Richard - 170th in 2022 - 13 pts in 14 games for UConn.  Had 18 in 36 last year.  

18. Kleber - 42nd in 2024 - Another huge defender in the NCAA playing for Minn Duluth.  16 games (1 pt) so far his freshman year.

19. McCarthy - 86th in 2023 - Another solid NCAA defender with size - 5 pts in 18 games.  

20. Kisakov - 53rd in 2021 - 3 pts in 6 AHL games.  Not sure he has a NHL future at this point

21. Marjala - 159th in 2021 - 33pts in 33 Liiga games.  Has improved dramatically over the last 3 seasons in Finland.  Are the Sabres still interested? Is he interested in returning to NA?  No idea.

Other Goalies - (I'm not sure any of these 3 have an NHL future, but who really knows with goalies

Leinonen - 41st in 2022 - Seems to have found his game by moving to Sweden.  .915 save% and a 2.13 Gaa for Mora in the 2nd level league in Sweden.

Ratzlaff - 141st in 2023 - 3.84 gaa and .892 save% for Seattle in the WHL.  This is further backsliding.

Leenders  - 219th in the 2024 draft - posting mediocre numbers in the OHL with a .900 save % and a 3.43 gaa

Just a quick insight into the prospect pool.  The forwards tend to be 6' or smaller, while the defenders are big to huge.  Wahlberg and Miedema are really our only legit forwards prospects over 6'2.  On defense Novikov, Komarov, Strbak, Kleber, Osburn and McCarthy are all 6'2 or taller.

Edited January 11 by GASabresIUFAN

[DarthEbriate]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The problem for Östlund is that he may already be down the center depth chart behind Helenius and Wahlberg.  Helenius will likely be on the callup list sometime next season and in the NHL the season after that.  The Amerks are actually listing him at LW.  That might give him a better shot than center strangely enough, but how many under 6' forwards do we really want or need?

I don't know that Wahlberg is playing center yet, either. At least, not before the WJC. But they have some veteran centers in Jobst and Dunne (and Kulich/Kozak when they're there). 

[Crusader1969]

7 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

What good is any of that doing the Sabres?  

Sorry didn't realize you wanted a team of 21 year olds who were drafted 3 years ago.   
1) when he comes over he will be able to contribute right away 

2) he's trade value could help them too, if they go that road.  Hoping they don't cause he's a player built for tough hockey 
 

[Crusader1969]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Top 20 (plus 1) prospects at mid-season.  Rules: 24 and under with less than 100 NHL games (50 for goalies)[Still waivers exempt] and has spent time in the AHL or lower this season or finished in the AHL or lower last season.  Benson graduates with 107 NHL games now under his belt.  Quick note; I tend to look at time to the NHL as a tiebreaking factor in the ratings.  The closer a player is to contributing at the NHL level the higher their rating all else being equal.    

1. Helenius - C - 14th over all 2024 draft - 17 points in 28 AHL games at 18 is impressive.  Looked good at the U20s.

2. Levi - G - 212th pick in 2020 - Tearing up the AHL again (15-2-2 with a .918 save % and 2.12 Gaa).  Hopefully will translate to NHL soon

3. Kulich - C/W - 28th pick in 2022 - 9 pts in 31 NHL games this season, but was much improved until his recent injury.

4. Rosen - C/W - 14th overall in 2021 - 28 pts in 31 AHL games this season.  Likely will earn another callup soon.  

5. Wahlberg - C - 39th overall in 2023 - 11 pts in 26 AHL games in first NA season.  Was very good at the U20's with 8 pts (4 goals) in 7 games.

6. Östlund - C/W - 16th overall in 2022 - 2 pts in 13 AHL games in first AHL season.  Has been injured.  

7. Novikov - D - pick 188 in the 2021 draft - Continues to improve in the AHL.  13 pts in 34 games including 4 goals and a +21.  I expect a callup this season.

8. Neuchev - LW - 74th in the 2022 draft - Like Novikov, he continues to improve in the A with 19pts in 31 AHL games.  2 way play still needs work

9. R Johnson - D - 31st pick in 2019 - Has played 44 NHL games the last two years.  Not showing much pro offense in AHL or NHL.  

10. Kozak - C - 193rd pick in 2021 draft - Has earned 2 callups this seasons.  12 pts in 24 AHL games for the grinding forward.  Looked solid as a depth NHLer.

11. Poltapov - LW  - 33rd in 2021 - 26 pts in 43 KHL games.  Scoring has slowed after a hot start.  Could be good 3rd line forward if he ever comes to NA.

12. Ziemer - RW - 71st in 2024 - 11 pts in 21 NCAA games for Minn.  Strong contribution to the US's Gold medal at the 2025 U20s with 7 pts (3g) in 7 games.

13. Komarov - D - 134th in 2022 - Solid start to 1st AHL reason with 8 pts in 32 games with a +4 for the big defender. 

14. Sardarian - RW - 88th in 2021 - Game exploding with move to Mich Tech.  27 pts (9g) in 21 NCAA games.  Great to see for a reportedly really good kid.

15. Strbak - D - 45th in 2023 - Improving big physical D with 9 pts in 17 NCAA games and a strong showing at the U20s with 6 pts in 6 games. 

16. Miedema - LW - 109th in 2023 - Blossoming big forward has 41 pts (16g) in 38 OHL games. 

17. Richard - 170th in 2022 - 13 pts in 14 games for UConn.  Had 18 in 36 last year.  

18. Kleber - 42nd in 2024 - Another huge defender in the NCAA playing for Minn Duluth.  16 games (1 pt) so far his freshman year.

19. McCarthy - 86th in 2023 - Another solid NCAA defender with size - 5 pts in 18 games.  

20. Kisakov - 53rd in 2021 - 3 pts in 6 AHL games.  Not sure he has a NHL future at this point

21. Marjala - 159th in 2021 - 33pts in 33 Liiga games.  Has improved dramatically over the last 3 seasons in Finland.  Are the Sabres still interested? Is he interested in returning to NA?  No idea.

Other Goalies - (I'm not sure any of these 3 have an NHL future, but who really knows with goalies

Leinonen - 41st in 2022 - Seems to have found his game by moving to Sweden.  .915 save% and a 2.13 Gaa for Mora in the 2nd level league in Sweden.

Ratzlaff - 141st in 2023 - 3.84 gaa and .892 save% for Seattle in the WHL.  This is further backsliding.

Leenders  - 219th in the 2024 draft - posting mediocre numbers in the OHL with a .900 save % and a 3.43 gaa

Just a quick insight into the prospect pool.  The forwards tend to be 6' or smaller, while the defenders are big to huge.  Wahlberg and Miedema are really our only legit forwards prospects over 6'2.  On defense Novikov, Komarov, Strbak, Kleber, Osburn and McCarthy are all 6'2 or taller.

Should have Poltapov at #4.  Otherwise it's a good list 

[Flashsabre]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Top 20 (plus 1) prospects at mid-season.  Rules: 24 and under with less than 100 NHL games (50 for goalies)[Still waivers exempt] and has spent time in the AHL or lower this season or finished in the AHL or lower last season.  Benson graduates with 107 NHL games now under his belt.  Quick note; I tend to look at time to the NHL as a tiebreaking factor in the ratings.  The closer a player is to contributing at the NHL level the higher their rating all else being equal.    

1. Helenius - C - 14th over all 2024 draft - 17 points in 28 AHL games at 18 is impressive.  Looked good at the U20s.

2. Levi - G - 212th pick in 2020 - Tearing up the AHL again (15-2-2 with a .918 save % and 2.12 Gaa).  Hopefully will translate to NHL soon

3. Kulich - C/W - 28th pick in 2022 - 9 pts in 31 NHL games this season, but was much improved until his recent injury.

4. Rosen - C/W - 14th overall in 2021 - 28 pts in 31 AHL games this season.  Likely will earn another callup soon.  

5. Wahlberg - C - 39th overall in 2023 - 11 pts in 26 AHL games in first NA season.  Was very good at the U20's with 8 pts (4 goals) in 7 games.

6. Östlund - C/W - 16th overall in 2022 - 2 pts in 13 AHL games in first AHL season.  Has been injured.  

7. Novikov - D - pick 188 in the 2021 draft - Continues to improve in the AHL.  13 pts in 34 games including 4 goals and a +21.  I expect a callup this season.

8. Neuchev - LW - 74th in the 2022 draft - Like Novikov, he continues to improve in the A with 19pts in 31 AHL games.  2 way play still needs work

9. R Johnson - D - 31st pick in 2019 - Has played 44 NHL games the last two years.  Not showing much pro offense in AHL or NHL.  

10. Kozak - C - 193rd pick in 2021 draft - Has earned 2 callups this seasons.  12 pts in 24 AHL games for the grinding forward.  Looked solid as a depth NHLer.

11. Poltapov - LW  - 33rd in 2021 - 26 pts in 43 KHL games.  Scoring has slowed after a hot start.  Could be good 3rd line forward if he ever comes to NA.

12. Ziemer - RW - 71st in 2024 - 11 pts in 21 NCAA games for Minn.  Strong contribution to the US's Gold medal at the 2025 U20s with 7 pts (3g) in 7 games.

13. Komarov - D - 134th in 2022 - Solid start to 1st AHL reason with 8 pts in 32 games with a +4 for the big defender. 

14. Sardarian - RW - 88th in 2021 - Game exploding with move to Mich Tech.  27 pts (9g) in 21 NCAA games.  Great to see for a reportedly really good kid.

15. Strbak - D - 45th in 2023 - Improving big physical D with 9 pts in 17 NCAA games and a strong showing at the U20s with 6 pts in 6 games. 

16. Miedema - LW - 109th in 2023 - Blossoming big forward has 41 pts (16g) in 38 OHL games. 

17. Richard - 170th in 2022 - 13 pts in 14 games for UConn.  Had 18 in 36 last year.  

18. Kleber - 42nd in 2024 - Another huge defender in the NCAA playing for Minn Duluth.  16 games (1 pt) so far his freshman year.

19. McCarthy - 86th in 2023 - Another solid NCAA defender with size - 5 pts in 18 games.  

20. Kisakov - 53rd in 2021 - 3 pts in 6 AHL games.  Not sure he has a NHL future at this point

21. Marjala - 159th in 2021 - 33pts in 33 Liiga games.  Has improved dramatically over the last 3 seasons in Finland.  Are the Sabres still interested? Is he interested in returning to NA?  No idea.

Other Goalies - (I'm not sure any of these 3 have an NHL future, but who really knows with goalies

Leinonen - 41st in 2022 - Seems to have found his game by moving to Sweden.  .915 save% and a 2.13 Gaa for Mora in the 2nd level league in Sweden.

Ratzlaff - 141st in 2023 - 3.84 gaa and .892 save% for Seattle in the WHL.  This is further backsliding.

Leenders  - 219th in the 2024 draft - posting mediocre numbers in the OHL with a .900 save % and a 3.43 gaa

Just a quick insight into the prospect pool.  The forwards tend to be 6' or smaller, while the defenders are big to huge.  Wahlberg and Miedema are really our only legit forwards prospects over 6'2.  On defense Novikov, Komarov, Strbak, Kleber, Osburn and McCarthy are all 6'2 or taller.

I wouldn’t read too much into Ratzlaff. He is on a terrible junior team

[DarthEbriate]

7 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

I wouldn’t read too much into Ratzlaff. He is on a terrible junior team

^ This. Ratzlaff and Milic were both fantastic in 22-23 when the T-Birds went to the Memorial Cup (winning the WHL championship over an outmatched Benson/Savoie) with a team of over-18ers and stockpiled talent. Last year and this year, the T-Birds have been a bunch of messy kids and he's been hung out to dry.

[LGR4GM]

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6037690/2025/01/14/nhl-prospects-rankings-under-23-2025/  (139 players rated)

Power 18th.  

Quote

Power was a big minutes player for Buffalo last season and he provides significant offense despite playing on the same team as Rasmus Dahlin. Power is a super-intelligent defenseman. He sees the ice and has the skills of a 5-foot-10 defenseman while being 6-6. He can hit seams at a high rate and has the hands, patience and vision to run a power play and create off the blue line. Power is quite mobile for a big man, and although he's not that physical, he projects to shut down top forwards due to that reach and mobility. He has the potential to be a premier matchup defenseman who can provide decent offense, although he may never be an elite scorer.

JJP 43rd

Quote

Power was a big minutes player for Buffalo last season and he provides significant offense despite playing on the same team as Rasmus Dahlin. Power is a super-intelligent defenseman. He sees the ice and has the skills of a 5-foot-10 defenseman while being 6-6. He can hit seams at a high rate and has the hands, patience and vision to run a power play and create off the blue line. Power is quite mobile for a big man, and although he's not that physical, he projects to shut down top forwards due to that reach and mobility. He has the potential to be a premier matchup defenseman who can provide decent offense, although he may never be an elite scorer.

Kulich 79th

Benson 83rd

Helenius 85th

Östlund 87th

Wahlberg 101st

Kleber 125th

Edited Thursday at 03:02 AM by GASabresIUFAN