Ranking NHL teams’ rookie prospects from the Buffalo Sabres Prospect Challenge - Pt. 2
Last weekend from Sept. 15 through the 18, six National Hockey League (NHL) teams traveled to Buffalo for the annual Buffalo Sabres Prospect Challenge at the LECOM Harborcenter. The teams in attendance included the Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Ottawa Senators. In the round-robin style tournament, rookie prospects were able to skate alongside their future teammates and show off their skills to coaches and fans.
The best way to analyze the event is to rank the six teams’ rookie prospects from this past weekend. This two-part list started at number six, the worst of the bunch, in last week’s edition of The Lamron and will count down to the best in this list.
3. Montreal Canadiens
After starting on the wrong foot on Friday against Boston, the Canadiens became a force to be reckoned with as they went 2-1 to round out the Prospect Challenge. Some notable names throughout this tournament for the Habs were defensemen Jayden Struble and David Reinbacher, wing/center Joshua Roy, and goalie Quentin Miller.
Roy led the team in goals over the weekend but had an offensive stick which needed to see more of the defensive side. Roy’s hockey IQ is one that sometimes goes unnoticed as he is constantly making moves that not many pick up on.
On the other hand, Struble was an enforcer on the ice, with his physical presence proving to be beneficial for the Habs.
Miller is likely not one many people think of when it comes to Montreal’s goalie prospects, but during his game against the Boston Bruins he forced everyone to learn and remember his name; he is smart in the posts and has a knack for puck tracking, giving him the upper hand in positioning.
One rookie who many expected more from, especially after the controversy regarding his Draft, was Reinbacher. Throughout every shift during the event, he seemed to have taken a backseat when it came to the mentality and physicality of the game at the NHL level.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
If the question was posed to fans as to which player revolutionized hockey in recent years, many would probably name Penguins center Sidney Crosby. As a result, it is no surprise that the Pittsburgh Penguins are building up their franchise with players who have the potential to be the next Crosby.
One player in particular, forward Brayden Yager, was drafted 11th overall by the Penguins this past draft in June and was a steal—plain and simple. He knows what he is doing when it comes to playmaking and will execute for years to come.
Another dynamic player that aided in the Penguins’ ranking on this list was goalie Joel Blomqvist, the 21-year-old from Finland who was Pittsburgh’s first pick in the 2020 Draft. Freshly returning from an injury endured during the 2022-2023 season, he proved himself to the organization and fans during the first game when he recorded 12 saves on 14 shots against the Boston Bruins. Blomqvist has a calm demeanor with a phenomenally talented skill set.
As a team this past weekend, the Pittsburgh Penguins were quick on the puck and had active, yet smart sticks, leaving them with a 2-1 record during the Challenge.
1. Buffalo Sabres
It is likely of no surprise here that the Buffalo Sabres are ranked number one on this list. Buffalo did a great job with their recent draft classes, picking up players like wing Zach Benson (first round, 13th overall pick in 2023) and center Matthew Savoie (first round, ninth overall pick in 2022). Players like these two are going to end up in highlight reels for the season down the line.
Benson has a sixth sense when it comes to the game of hockey, as he thinks and moves ahead of the game, proving to be valuable to the Sabres this past weekend. In their game against the New Jersey Devils, for example, Benson faked a pass to left wing/center Filip Cedeqvist in the right circle, then ripped a quick, low shot to the back of the net against the Devils’ goalie, Isaac Poulter.
Before an upper-body injury took place Monday, Sept. 18 against the Penguins, Savoie put together a legendary night against the Montreal Canadiens tallying two extremely impressive goals. Savoie’s first score was airborne as his linemate Benson flipped the puck up in the air before Savoie knocked it down to put it in the net. The second goal from Savoie was a backhand off his rebound, which found the back corner of the net.
There’s no doubt that Benson and Savoie have a dynamic as linemates that will be talked about for years to come; both players are quick to transition and use their speed and agility to capitalize on other teams’ mistakes.
Overall, the Buffalo Sabres prospects play a physical game and are aggressive on the puck while exhibiting the current Sabres’ style of play and will add depth that can fill Buffalo’s lineup shortly. This team and multiple others who played in the Prospect Challenge are going to be in great hands once their current stars hang up their skates.
Thumbnail Photo via Bruce Bennett/Getty Images