Sabres Prospects 2015-2016

[Hoss]

Vlad always does this thread, but he asked me to put together the list this year. Here is an update using his template from last year. I didn't put too much thought into the rankings yet, but I can reorder some with board opinions and some more time. I removed a few players that have clearly established themselves as AHLers/injury callups at best. Please let me know if there are any age/contract errors.

 

Prospect Information
Updated 6/29/2015

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.



(1) Jack Eichel
Center, 18, 6-2 196, American

Player Type: Two-Way/Playmaker (RH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 years left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2015 Rd.1 (Pick 2)

 

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

Player Type: Two-Way/Playmaker (RH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2014 Rd.1 (Pick 2)

(3) Hudson Fasching
Right Winger, 19, 6-2 207, American

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

(4) Jake McCabe
Defenseman, 21, 6-1 205, American

Player Type: Two-way Defenseman (LH)
Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = RFA after this season
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.2 (Pick 44)

(5) Nicholas Baptiste
Right Winger, 19, 6-1 189, Canadian

Player Type: Scorer/Physical Two-Way Forward (RH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.3 (Pick 69)

 

(6) Justin Bailey
Right Winger, 20, 6-3 202, American

Player Type: Scorer/Power-Forward (RH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 52)
 

(7) Brendan Guhle
Defenseman, 17, 6-2 182, Canadian

Player Type: Physical Two-Way Defenseman (LH)
Current League: WHL - Prince Albert Raiders (AHL Eligible = 2017 - 2018 season)
Contract: Entry Level = 3 years left, then RFA

Acquired: Drafted 2015 Rd. 2 (Pick 51)

 

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

Current League: NHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
​Acquired: Draft 2012 Rd.6 (Pick 163)

 

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

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

 

(10) Brycen Martin
Defenseman, 19, 6-2 188, Canadian

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (LH)
Current League: WHL - Everett Silvertips (AHL Eligible = 2016 - 2017 season)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in WHL
Acquired: Drafted 2014 Rd.3 (Pick 74)

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

Player Type: Grinder (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Free Agent (2014)

 

(14) Eric Cornel
Center, 19, 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) William Carrier
Left Winger, 20, 6-2 196, Canadian

Player Type: Playmaker/Two-Way Forward (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: Trade with Blues (Drafted 2013 - Rd.2)

 

(16) Will Borgen
Defenseman, 18, 6-2 180, American

Player Type: Puck-moving defenseman (RH)
Current League: NCAA - St. Cloud State (may not attend until 2016-17)
Contract: Unsigned
Acquired: Draft 2015 Rd.4 (Pick 92)

 

(17) Vaclav Karabacek
Left Winger, 19, 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)

 

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

Player Type: Scorer (LH)
Current League: SHL - MODO
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 2 more years
Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 130)

 

(19) Andrey Makarov
Goalie, 22, 6-1 193, Russian

Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA
Acquired: 2012 Free Agent

 

(20) Sean Malone
Center, 20, 5-11 180, American

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

 

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

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

 

(22) Tim Schaller
Center, 24, 6-2 209, American

Player Type: Defensive forward (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: RFA at end of season
Acquired: Free Agent (2013)

 

(23) Dan Catenacci
Left Winger, 22, 5-10 180, Canadian

Player Type: Scorer (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: RFA at end of season
Acquired: Draft 2011 Rd.3 (Pick 77)

 

(24) Devante Stephens
Defenseman, 18, 6-2 171, Canadian

Player Type: Two-Way Defenseman (LH)
Current League: WHL - Kelowna Rockets (AHL Eligible = 2017 - 2018 season)
Contract: Unsigned
Acquired: Drafted 2015 Rd.5 (Pick 122)

 

(25) Giorgio Estephan
Center, 18, 6-0 188, Canadian

Player Type: Playmaking center (RH)
Current League: WHL - Lethbridge Hurricanes (AHL Eligible 2017 - 2018 season)
Contract: Unsigned
Acquired: Draft 2015 Rd. 6 (Pick 152)

 

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

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

 

(27) Christopher Brown
Center, 19, 6-0 183, American

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

 

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

Player Type: Grinder/Two Way Forward (LH)
Current League: AHL/ECHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.3 (Pick 73)

 

(29) Jason Kasdorf
Goaltender, 23, 6-4 201, Canadian

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

 

(30) Brady Austin
Defenseman, 21, 6-4 230, Canadian

Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (LH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA
Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.7 (Pick 193)

 

(31) Max Willman

Left Winger, 20, 6-0 183, American

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

 

(32) Ivan Chukarov

Defenseman, 20, 6-3 200, American

Player Type: Offensive defenseman (LH)
Current League: NCAA – UMass (Freshman)
Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA
Acquired: Drafted 2015 Rd.7 (Pick 182)

 

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

Current League: AHL
Contract: RFA at end of season
Acquired: Drafted 2009 Rd.6 (pick 167)

(34) Jerome Leduc

Defensemen, 22, 6-2 196, Canadian

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH)
Current League: AHL
Contract: RFA at end of season
Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 68)

 

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

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH)
Current League: ECHL
Contract: Entry Level = RFA at end of season
Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.4 (Pick 107)

Edited December 19, 2015 by Hoss

[Two or less]

Im not a fan of where you placed some of the guys, such as Dupuy above Cornel?

 

Also, wheres Will Borgen?

[dudacek]

Thanks for the update.

 

Feedback, off the top of my head:

• Sundher is not being offered a contract and should be dropped
• Schaller, Catenacci and Ruhwedel are third-year pros. I know they are old, but I'd still include them for one more year.
• The rankings of recent 2nd-rounders Guhle, Cornel, Karabacek, and Hurley plus Carrier are probably worthy of discussion. I don't see a lot of separation between them on the ice, but there is lots on the list.

Also, the list is going to look a lot less exciting next year, compared to last year. Fortunately the NHL team will make up for that.

Edited June 28, 2015 by dudacek

[Hoss]

Im not a fan of where you placed some of the guys, such as Dupuy above Cornel?

 

Also, wheres Will Borgen?

Thanks for pointing out Borgen. I added him. I had him up in a tab but forgot to add him.

 

 

Also, I think Dupuy showed he belongs as a legit prospect. Had a great year for a great team. We'll see if he follows up on that season this year. If there is a large opinion that he's too high I will move him down.

[Crusader1969]

Only bad thing about the list is there is only 1 Sabres prospect in the OHL next year.

[Thorny]

Great job, Hoss!

 

One correction: You listed Giorgio Estephan as "Estaphan". Small thing, but it's such a great name, we gotta get it listed right.

[Hoss]

Updated the list. Karabacek moves up a bit after I dropped him a bit too far earlier. Put Ruhwedel, Schaller and Catenacci back on the list per request. Ruhwedel is 25 which breaks the definition of prospect from above, but he can be an exception since he could still factor in to the team's defense long-term.

 

Also: HockeyWriters (nothing but a bunch of fans writing so take it for what it is) has two Sabres in their top five prospects: http://thehockeywriters.com/the-nhls-top-30-prospects-post-draft-part-3/

 

I think we've easily got two of hockey's top five prospects, but our next prospect might not show up until the 30s/40s after that.

 

 

It'll be fun paying attention to Rochester this year. Bailey and Baptiste get their first crack at pro seasons. Makarov's growth or lack there of. Does Carrier finally hit his stride and make himself a top prospect? If Linus Ullmark gets healthy does he have an impact in Rochester? If McCabe isn't in Buffalo then hopefully he has his first solid season as a pro.

[inkman]

I think ruhwedel is exactly where he should be. Not on the radar.

[Hoss]

I think ruhwedel is exactly where he should be. Not on the radar.

Agreed. I'm fine with him being an emergency call up type. I don't want to rely on him in a bottom pairing or even in the 7th dman role.

[Johnny DangerFace]

Thanks for putting it together!

 

Once eichel, reinhart, and pysyk graduate this year (hopefully), it's going to start looking like an average prospect pool. We need this draft and next year to produce some decent prospects

[Hoss]

Eichel and Reinhart are 2 & 3 in Pronman's prospect rankings.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/13409426/nhl-connor-mcdavid-jack-eichel-lead-list-top-100-prospects

 

Next Sabres doesn't appear until McCabe at 78. Fasching at 92. Four Sabres in the top 100.

[inkman]

Eichel and Reinhart are 2 & 3 in Pronman's prospect rankings.

 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/13409426/nhl-connor-mcdavid-jack-eichel-lead-list-top-100-prospects

 

Next Sabres doesn't appear until McCabe at 78. Fasching at 92. Four Sabres in the top 100.

Interesting that Bailey and Baptiste aren't in there

[Ogre]

I appreciate you putting this together, Hoss. I had high hopes for Carrier last year. His performance didn't match my hopes. I won't aim as high his year. Can't wait to see Bailey and Baptiste play. As for McCabe. I really hope he starts out this year like he ended last season. I really thought he looked lost half the year. And Rudy. I'd take him as a call up any day. I don't consider him to be a prospect at this point. Solid AHL player though IMO. I'm a faithful Amerk fan so I may have drank a bit of kool aid along the way. Mmmmm.

[inkman]

And Rudy.

Garbage

[Ogre]

Garbage

Holy schnikies. I knew you didn't like Rudy but even as our AHL dman? I saw far too many crappy Amerks' games last year and he never seemed like the problem. I've seen him get beat down low a few times but he also won most of those battles. Skated hard to get back when pinching. Good shot on the PP. He is worth two Leducs and a Pelech to me. Will he get as many minutes with Randy? My guess is yes. I know very little though.

[inkman]

Holy schnikies. I knew you didn't like Rudy but even as our AHL dman? I saw far too many crappy Amerks' games last year and he never seemed like the problem. I've seen him get beat down low a few times but he also won most of those battles. Skated hard to get back when pinching. Good shot on the PP. He is worth two Leducs and a Pelech to me. Will he get as many minutes with Randy? My guess is yes. I know very little though.

Your post alluded to him getting time with the Sabres. Hence my response.

[Ogre]

Your post alluded to him getting time with the Sabres. Hence my response.

I don't mind him as an emergency call up. I see his time with the Sabres much like Varone's. A couple games to fill a gap. Play like hell a few games and then fade away. He has enough in the tank for that. I'll agree though(if this is what you're saying) his chance for a full time NHL roster spot is all but gone. As far as the Sabres go. That's as far as I'm willing to speculate.

[Hoss]

Pronman ranked the Sabres top 10 prospects:

 

Top 10 Sabres Prospects

Note: Number in parentheses is overall prospect rank

RANK NAME, POS

1 Jack Eichel, C (2)

2 Sam Reinhart, C (3)

3 Jake McCabe, D (78)

4 Hudson Fasching, RW (92)

5 Nick Baptiste, RW

6 Gustav Possler, LW

7 Vaclav Karabacek, RW

8 Justin Bailey, RW

9 William Carrier, LW

10 Andrey Makarov, G

 

http://espn.go.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/13456048/top-10-buffalo-sabres-prospects-2015-16

[3putt]

Carrier behind Possler? Interesting.

And no Ulmark...also curious.

[Derrico]

Do they really have Karabacek above Bailey?!

[Hoss]

A quick update on some guys:

 

Victor Olofsson is doing very well for MODO so far this year with 3-7-10 in 13 games. Leads the team in points and assists. Second in goals.

Hudson Fasching has 3-1-4 in five games for Minnesota (all four points have come in the last two games). Good start for him.

Connor Hurley has an assist in four games with Notre Dame.

Judd Peterson has 5-1-6 in six games with St. Cloud State.

Jean Dupuy has four assists in seven games for Rochester.

Nick Baptiste has a goal and an assist in seven games for Rochester.

Justin Bailey has two assists in seven games for Rochester.

Vaclav Karabacek has 4-1-5 in 11 games for Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL.

Gustav Possler has 3-3-6 in 13 games for MODO.

Brendan Guhle has 1-4-5 in six games for Prince Albert (WHL).

Brycen Martin has 2-8-10 in 12 games for Saskatoon (WHL).

[Thorny]

Eric Cornel has 3-8-11 in 12 games for Peterborough (OHL)

[French Collection]

D-man Anthony Florentino has 4 pts in 5 games with Providence Friars.

Edited October 26, 2015 by French Collection

[dudacek]

 I continue to scratch my head about the Hurley pick.

[Hoss]

I continue to scratch my head about the Hurley pick.

High risk, high reward. Youngest kid in the draft. Still has time.