Inside the Sabres scouting: Noah Östlund

[Doohickie]

On 7/27/2026 at 11:33 AM, Taro T said:

injury history.

I wonder how much last year's "injury" problems were really just managing the three goalie situation.  I suspect injured players were kept on the injured list longer than need be out of an abundance of caution, but really because they had too many roster players.

[dudacek]

How will this year's young trio of forwards compare to the trio in 2006?

• Vanek: Age 21, 48 points in 81 games (rookie)
• Pominville: Age 22, 30 points in 57 games (rookie)
• Roy: Age 22, 46 points in 70 games (started with 49 NHL games experience)

 

• Helenius: Age 20, ???, rookie
• Kulich: Age 22, ???, 75 NHL games experience
• Östlund: Age 22, ???, 68 NHL games experience

 

Edited August 5 by dudacek

[dudacek]

Östlund's 21-year-old season looked a lot like Pominville's 22-year-old season

Kulich's 20-year-old NHL production looked a lot like Roy's at the same age

Vanek had 68 points in 74 AHL games at 20, Helenius had 62 in 63 at 19

[Doohickie]

On 7/29/2026 at 5:56 AM, LGR4GM said:

Benson is 5'10" 

...in lifts.

😉 

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

I wonder how much last year's "injury" problems were really just managing the three goalie situation.  I suspect injured players were kept on the injured list longer than need be out of an abundance of caution, but really because they had too many roster players.

What does last season's player usage have to do with his prior years' injuries?  And what does it have to do with the injury he suffered in the playoffs?

Btw, his getting sent down to the A to let OTHER injured players back onto the roster is IMHO a significant factor in Adams' canning.

[nfreeman]

On 7/29/2026 at 1:32 AM, Huckleberry said:

I know when we drafted him, I read some swedish scout report comparing his hockey IQ and defense to Peter forsberg.  Even at just 70% that would be nice.

Whoa.

I like Östlund a lot, but Forsberg was one of the best players of all time.

He was also a physical force and a menace.  While Östlund doesn't play a soft game, he is never going to impose physicality on the game.

[JohnC]

24 minutes ago, nfreeman said:

Whoa.

I like Östlund a lot, but Forsberg was one of the best players of all time.

He was also a physical force and a menace.  While Östlund doesn't play a soft game, he is never going to impose physicality on the game.

I agree with your opinion that he's not the type of player whose physicality is going to be much of a factor in a game. However, what's noticeable about this young player is that he already plays a mature game. He's a young player a coach is more willing to trust on the ice in all situations compared to a lot of other younger players. His steadiness doesn't draw much attention when he plays, yet it is the best part of his game. 

Seeing how players such as Helenius, Kulich and Östlund play this season creates a lot of anticipation to get the season started. 

[Huckleberry]

1 hour ago, nfreeman said:

Whoa.

I like Östlund a lot, but Forsberg was one of the best players of all time.

He was also a physical force and a menace.  While Östlund doesn't play a soft game, he is never going to impose physicality on the game.

Yeah it came with an asterix from that scout, but certain things in his game are as good, like vision, passing, hockey IQ.

The kids have an important summer of workout and getting stronger.

[LTS]

Yeah.. you write an article on Noah Östlund, no one cares. You mention Peter Forsberg in that article and severely caveat the comparisons then people click on it.

It's really not surprising.

 

[thewookie1]

4 hours ago, Huckleberry said:

Yeah it came with an asterix from that scout, but certain things in his game are as good, like vision, passing, hockey IQ.

The kids have an important summer of workout and getting stronger.

I could see some of the Forsberg -esc IQ arguments but Östlund is nothing like Forsberg in style or strength. The only Forsberg inspired player we have is Dahlin who had named him as an inspiration ans a rookie and he certainly adopted his reverse hit. 
 

Now as I think about it, are there any players even close to Forsberg nowadays? Barkov probably comes the closest but lacks the aggression he had. Sam Bennett isn’t skilled enough, Byfield has flashes but also isn’t defensively sound or physical enough. I can’t think of anyone who would fill the shoes Forsberg used.

Edited August 5 by thewookie1