Sabres Prospect Pool 2025-26

[Archie Lee]

20 hours ago, dudacek said:

I don’t think anyone perceived Leinonen as anything other than a fat, fragile colossal bust-in-the-making over his first 2 post-draft years.

There are probably a few fans like me on this one, who just see him as a decent goalie prospect who was probably taken a 1/2 rd early, and who think that patience is needed. 
 

[dudacek]

2 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

There are probably a few fans like me on this one, who just see him as a decent goalie prospect who was probably taken a 1/2 rd early, and who think that patience is needed. 
 

Thats the calm, rational way of looking at things 😁

[GASabresIUFAN]

I may be in the minority on this one, but I actually like the Sabres prospect pool.  I readily acknowledge the lack of huge star power, but there are a ton of solid players who will likely make the middle of our lineup better in the years to come on both offense and defense.

At forward I really like Helenius, Ziemer and Östlund.  I believe all 3 have solid NHL futures.  I also think Richard and Wahlberg could earn their way to the NHL.  Rosen also has NHL potential, but probably elsewhere.

Defense is chock full of D who I can see contributing in the NHL.  Novikov, Komarov, Strbak, Kleber, and Mrtka should make the NHL, with Strbak and Mrtka being top 4 players.  I also like Osburn and McCarthy as potential NHLers.  The most impressive thing about this D group is size, size and more size.  They kind of remind me of the Hajt, Korab, Schoenfeld, Guevremont era of the Sabres when teams had to skate throw those surprisingly mobile redwoods. All 4 guys were 6'2 or taller and well over 200 lbs.  

Edited July 31 by GASabresIUFAN

[tom webster]

4 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

I may be in the minority on this one, but I actually like the Sabres prospect pool.  I readily acknowledge the lack of huge star power, but there are a ton of solid players who will likely make the middle of our lineup better in the years to come on both offense and defense.

At forward I really like Helenius, Ziemer and Östlund.  I believe all 3 have solid NHL futures.  I also think Richard and Wahlberg could earn their way to the NHL.  Rosen also has NHL potential, but probably elsewhere.

Defense is chock full of D who I can see contributing in the NHL.  Novikov, Komarov, Strbak, Kleber, and Mrtka should make the NHL, with Strbak and Mrtka being top 4 players.  I also like Osburn and McCarthy as potential NHLers.  The most impressive thing about this D group is size, size and more size.  They kind of remind me of the Hajt, Korab, Schoenfeld, Guevremont era of the Sabres when teams had to skate throw those surprisingly mobile redwoods. All 4 guys were 6'2 or taller and well over 200 lbs.  

The problem with all that size is that the NHL is actually getting smaller, especially on defense. Florida was the third lightest team in the playoffs this year and only Tampa has won a cup recently with a heavy defense.

[ska-T Palmtown]

On 7/31/2025 at 2:46 PM, tom webster said:

The problem with all that size is that the NHL is actually getting smaller, especially on defense. Florida was the third lightest team in the playoffs this year and only Tampa has won a cup recently with a heavy defense.

Your facts and figures and logic are not welcome here. Please peddle elsewhere! 

[DarthEbriate]

On 7/31/2025 at 12:46 PM, tom webster said:

The problem with all that size is that the NHL is actually getting smaller, especially on defense. Florida was the third lightest team in the playoffs this year and only Tampa has won a cup recently with a heavy defense.

That's why it is so important to sign Bryson. The swap of JBD for Timmins needed to be counterbalanced.

[WhenWillItEnd66]

On 7/31/2025 at 3:46 PM, tom webster said:

The problem with all that size is that the NHL is actually getting smaller, especially on defense. Florida was the third lightest team in the playoffs this year and only Tampa has won a cup recently with a heavy defense.

But they play bigger then they are and they are very physical. They do not get pushed around and are not afraid to give their own bodies up. You are right, size is kinda relative, but physicality is not. We have a team with way too many purse swingers!!

[tom webster]

1 hour ago, WhenWillItEnd66 said:

But they play bigger then they are and they are very physical. They do not get pushed around and are not afraid to give their own bodies up. You are right, size is kinda relative, but physicality is not. We have a team with way too many purse swingers!!

There is no denying that but I think people would be surprised that the median weight of the NHL skaters has dropped dramatically since 2014 while the average height has stayed pretty much the same.

[GASabresIUFAN]

On 7/31/2025 at 3:46 PM, tom webster said:

The problem with all that size is that the NHL is actually getting smaller, especially on defense. Florida was the third lightest team in the playoffs this year and only Tampa has won a cup recently with a heavy defense.

You mean other than the 6 D 6'0 or taller all weighing 195 to 220 lbs with two of the top 3 6'4 or taller?  (and the entire top 4 6'1 or taller and all 200 to 220 lbs.  All of these D registered 82 or more hits with Kulikov at 114 and Mikkola at 137.  They also all block shots.

 

Edited August 2 by GASabresIUFAN

[tom webster]

48 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

You mean other than the 6 D 6'0 or taller all weighing 195 to 220 lbs with two of the top 3 6'4 or taller?  (and the entire top 4 6'1 or taller and all 200 to 220 lbs.  All of these D registered 82 or more hits with Kulikov at 114 and Mikkola at 137.  They also all block shots.

 

The league is getting smaller and teams with the bigger defense were 5-7 in the first two rounds of the playoffs. I don’t post other peoples work but I can point you in the right direction if you’d like to read for yourself.

[PerreaultForever]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

You mean other than the 6 D 6'0 or taller all weighing 195 to 220 lbs with two of the top 3 6'4 or taller?  (and the entire top 4 6'1 or taller and all 200 to 220 lbs.  All of these D registered 82 or more hits with Kulikov at 114 and Mikkola at 137.  They also all block shots.

 

D actually playing D instead of just trying to drive offense. What a concept. 

[DarthEbriate]

Pronman at the Athletic ranked the Sabres 13th in terms of prospect pool. This includes #1 overall Power at the top of the pool. Paywall article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6493709/2025/08/27/buffalo-sabres-nhl-pipeline-rankings-2025/

Having a 1st overall in the pool and already in the NHL, but outside the top 10 seems especially disheartening. 

1. Power, 2 Mrtka, 3 Benson, 4 Kulich, 5 Helenius

From my POV, I wouldn’t include Power in the pool. Too old! Too old (in NHL seasons) to be in the kiddie pool.  

Edited 9 hours ago by DarthEbriate

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Pronman at the Athletic ranked the Sabres 13th in terms of prospect pool. This includes #1 overall Power at the top of the pool. Paywall article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6493709/2025/08/27/buffalo-sabres-nhl-pipeline-rankings-2025/

Having a 1st overall in the pool and already in the NHL, but outside the top 10 seems especially disheartening. 

1. Power, 2 Mrtka, 3 Benson, 4 Kulich, Helenius

From my POV, I wouldn’t include Power in the pool. Too old! Too old (in NHL seasons) to be in the kiddie pool.  

Mrtka over Benson... man, Pronman really doesn't want to admit he's wrong. 

[DarthEbriate]

13 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Mrtka over Benson... man, Pronman really doesn't want to admit he's wrong. 

He’s taller. 

[LGR4GM]

15 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

He’s taller. 

Pronman might be taller than Benson, idk. 

 

 

😜

[Ctaeth]

50 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Pronman at the Athletic ranked the Sabres 13th in terms of prospect pool. This includes #1 overall Power at the top of the pool. Paywall article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6493709/2025/08/27/buffalo-sabres-nhl-pipeline-rankings-2025/

Having a 1st overall in the pool and already in the NHL, but outside the top 10 seems especially disheartening. 

1. Power, 2 Mrtka, 3 Benson, 4 Kulich, 5 Helenius

From my POV, I wouldn’t include Power in the pool. Too old! Too old (in NHL seasons) to be in the kiddie pool.  

He has pretty much everyone but Power/Mrtka as a middle of the lineup player.  I don't think I disagree with that... aside from potentially Benson

[dudacek]

Personally disagree with his take on Benson, but he's been consistent on that and Benson's done nothing to prove him wrong.

And overall I tend to agree with his big picture takeaway: quite a few likely NHLers, not many likely studs.

[Ctaeth]

34 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Personally disagree with his take on Benson, but he's been consistent on that and Benson's done nothing to prove him wrong.

And overall I tend to agree with his big picture takeaway: quite a few likely NHLers, not many likely studs.

and unfortunately, i don't think middle of the lineup players are what is going to ultimately move the needle.  

It is worth noting that Levi isn't accounted for on his list.. based on the age criterion.  He misses out on being considered by 1 year.  Regardless, I don't remember pronman being high on Levi anyways

[Taro T]

4 hours ago, dudacek said:

Personally disagree with his take on Benson, but he's been consistent on that and Benson's done nothing to prove him wrong.

And overall I tend to agree with his big picture takeaway: quite a few likely NHLers, not many likely studs.

But IF this team stays together, they have Dahlin, Thompson, Tuch as true 1st liners/pairing players.  And they have Byram, Power, and Kesselring as possible 1st pairing and at least 2nd pairing guys along with Norris should he actually finally become healthy.  They also have Benson and Kulich who by the time the prospects are coming up should be top 6 as well.  Quinn and Doan might become top 6 guys as well.

They have plenty of D prospects to be rounding out the 3rd pairing in the near future and at least one of Helenius or Östlund should be top 6 as well.

So rounding out the rest with 3rd and 4th liners, while not ideal, isn't horrible.  Provided, they finally figure out who's capable of being a stud in net and find a crew that can actually coach the whole bunch, am actually pretty high on where they can be 2 years from now.

The fear is that this season goes sideways so thoroughly, that they don't have all 3 of those top end guys when all is said and done.

[dudacek]

21 minutes ago, Taro T said:

But IF this team stays together, they have Dahlin, Thompson, Tuch as true 1st liners/pairing players.  And they have Byram, Power, and Kesselring as possible 1st pairing and at least 2nd pairing guys along with Norris should he actually finally become healthy.  They also have Benson and Kulich who by the time the prospects are coming up should be top 6 as well.  Quinn and Doan might become top 6 guys as well.

They have plenty of D prospects to be rounding out the 3rd pairing in the near future and at least one of Helenius or Östlund should be top 6 as well.

So rounding out the rest with 3rd and 4th liners, while not ideal, isn't horrible.  Provided, they finally figure out who's capable of being a stud in net and find a crew that can actually coach the whole bunch, am actually pretty high on where they can be 2 years from now.

The fear is that this season goes sideways so thoroughly, that they don't have all 3 of those top end guys when all is said and done.

I see In Benson, Quinn, Kulich, Helenius and Östlund, (outside chance Doan and Rosen) potential top six players, which is probably more than most teams.

The issue is more about whether any of those guys can be legitimate first-liners, because I think they're going to need at least one to make that jump.

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

I see In Benson, Quinn, Kulich, Helenius and Östlund, (outside chance Doan and Rosen) potential top six players, which is probably more than most teams.

The issue is more about whether any of those guys can be legitimate first-liners, because I think they're going to need at least one to make that jump.

Well, if they do need one more legit 1st liner, they appear to have a plethora of D to use as a centerpiece of a trade and though Adams doesn't seem able to really get into that pool too well, there is FA as well.

And if you really do have an excess of 2nd liners (enough to pretty much have 3 lines worth of 2nd liners) only having 1 or 2 true 1st liners is a surmountable issue.

Again, am pretty happy with the roster 2 years out.  Not exactly thrilled with it at present (at least under current direction).  But we're getting to the point in the program where this kid is getting mildly optimistic even though they still need at least 1 and likely 2 more good Fs and the GT is still  significant Q, and will likely have a pathetic PP.