Sabres assign Radim Mrtka to Rochester

[Jorcus]

Mrtka is minimum 2 years from playing on the Sabres and 5 to 7 years from getting meaningful power play time with the Sabres. There are a lot of chances to kill penalties in the AHL. I think the Sabres would rather keep him close by. Better to play 16-20 harder minutes and work your way up the ladder. 

[dudacek]

Mrtka's preseason stats with the Sabres:

• Games: 4
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 1
• Hits: 11
• Shots blocked: 3
• Penalties: 0
• Penalties drawn: 2
• SAF%: 40.51
• GF%: 60
• xGF%: 44.5
• ATOI: 17:45

[Weave]

Twas inevitable.

[The Jokeman]

Keep him as far away from Buffalo for at least two more seasons.

[K-9]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

I like this line of thought when it comes to Helenius types - players who have been the stars of their teams all through their formative years.

That’s not Mrtka. He’s a late-blooming poor kid, with not a lot of history as the bell cow. He needs time being leaned on as “the guy” if we want him to develop into “the guy”.

 

I understand, but imo he needs to learn hockey against superior competition more than being a leader at 18. His leadership will develop as his maturity and game develop, anyway. And it’s gonna be a while before he’s “the man” in the pros, regardless. Being a leader in juniors, while nice, still means he has to earn it at the next level as well. 

[Brawndo]

1 hour ago, dudacek said:

Mrtka's preseason stats with the Sabres:

• Games: 4
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 1
• Hits: 11
• Shots blocked: 3
• Penalties: 0
• Penalties drawn: 2
• SAF%: 40.51
• GF%: 60
• xGF%: 44.5
• ATOI: 17:45

The toughest game he had was on Wednesday against Pittsburgh’s AHL Squad. He was paired with Bryson, who should be in the AHL, and it was a disaster. 

An 18yo defenseman, who does not have the pedigree of a Dahlin or Makar, should probably return to his previous team.  He is going to be a good one, but let him develop properly 
 

My ideal path for him is WHL-play in the WJCs, then report to the Amerks if they are still playing at the end of his year. 
 

2026-27 Season

Amerks and WJCs 

 

2027-28

Amerks and the first call up to the Sabres. 

 

[FrenchConnection44]

3 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

The question is, would he be better served getting 20 minutes in Seattle? Or 16 in Rochester?

Personally, as long as he is getting a reasonable amount of minutes, I prefer him to face the highest level of competition. I think that would give him the most development and the fastest. He appears able to hold his own. 

[LGR4GM]

Mrtka basically played 1.5 good preseason games and here we are.