Buffalo Sabres Prospect Report

Detailing prospects in the Sabres system

There is not much to look forward to this year with all the losses coming in and a veteran roster struggling to not only score goals but keep the puck out of the net. Since this year is a write off, we will take a look at what's on the horizon for the club. We'll rank the prospects on the club and give an ETA for their BRHL pro debut. Let's not waste time with small talk, here is the list:

 

1. Thomas Chabot D 6'2" 190 lbs - Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Acquired: 2016 Entry Draft 14th Overall

2017-2018 Stats: NHL - 18GP 2G 5A 7P 2PIM +1, AHL - 13GP 2G 5A 7P 8PIM -10

Chabot remains the top prospect in the Sabres system. Management is drooling over the state of their young D coming up and Thomas is the headliner. He combines smooth skating with a high IQ which shows in his decision making on the ice. His ceiling is a top pairing two-way defender.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: May split time between the farm & pro teams next year.

 

2. Jack Roslovic C/RW 6'1" 192 lbs - Winnipeg Jets (NHL)

Acquired: 2016 Entry Draft 30th Overall

2017-2018 Stats: AHL - 31GP 15G 20A 35P 8PIM +17

Roslovic was called up to the Jets on Dec 31st and could make his NHL debut tonight. He was having himself a year in the AHL staying around a PPG on a much improved Moose team. His ceiling is 2nd line center but the safer bet is a #3 center.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: Will likely be in the bottom 6 next year.

 

3. Kale Clague D 6'0" 176 lbs - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL) *WJC Team Canada

Acquired: 2017 Entry Draft 42nd Overall

2017-2018 Stats: WHL - 28GP 10G 37A 47P 35PIM +31

Clague has been lighting up the WHL with Brandon and has made team Canada at the WJC for a second year. He loves to play the game with the puck on his stick but has shown improvement in his play without the puck this year. His ceiling is a #2 offensive Dman and QB on the PP. 

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 3 years away from competing for a pro roster spot.

 

4. Michael McLeod C/W 6'2" 194 lbs - Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) *WJC Team Canada

Acquired: 2017 Entry Draft 12th Overall

2017-2018 Stats: OHL - 11GP 8G 5A 13P 10PIM -1

McLeod was injured to start the year and that caused a slip in the rankings. He projects as a 3rd line guy so he'll need to show there is more offense to his game if he wants to surpass expectations. He has blazing speed and is good with the puck around the net.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 3 years away at least from being a pro.

 

5. Dennis Cholowski D 6'0" 194 lbs - Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Acquired: 2017 Entry Draft 16th Overall

2017-2018 Stats: WHL - 35GP 12G 23A 35P 14PIM +6

Stat watchers would tell you this was a terrible 1st round pick. If you actually watched Dennis in the NCAA last year you would've seen the upside this kid has and wouldn't be shocked by his great play thus far in the WHL. Still don't expect an offensive outburst at the next level, his ceiling is a top 4 two-way defender.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 3 years away but will likely be an injury call-up.

 

6. Filip Chlapik C 6'1" 196 lbs - Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Acquired: 2016 Entry Draft 51st Overall

2017-2018 Stats: NHL - 5GP 0G 1A 1P 0PIM -1, AHL - 27GP 6G 9A 15P 25PIM -6

Chlapik is on his second cup of coffee with the Sens this year but don't expect him to stick for the rest of the year. He'll benefit from time as a top 6 center in the AHL. He went from 30+ goals to only 12 then back up to 30+ in the Q so consistancy will be key going forward.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 2 years away, he has O'Regan & Roslovic ahead of him next year.

 

7. Patrick Harper C/W 5'9" 161 lbs - Boston University Terriers (NCAA) *WJC Team USA

Acquired: Traded To Buffalo: Patrick Harper & OTT 2019 6th To Ottawa: Alec Martinez

2017-2018 Stats: NCAA - 19GP 8G 13A 21P 6PIM +3

Turning a player leaving via UFA into a prospect like Harper is a big plus. The small forward has been playing both wings this season in BU and is poised to have another PPG season. His ceiling is 2nd line scoring winger at the next level.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 4+ years. He has 2 more years available at BU and could use that time to mature. Long term prospect.

 

8. Jordy Stallard C 6'2" 187 lbs - Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Acquired: 2017 Entry Draft 132nd Overall

2017-2018 Stats: WHL - 38GP 26G 23A 49P 20PIM -2

Gotta like the progression from Stallard who's showcasing his talent on a weak Raiders team. His ceiling is 3rd line two-way center but next year will go a long way in showing if there is any top 6 skill there.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 4 years. Probably will turn pro in 2 years and will take a few seasons on the farm.

 

9. Matthew Phillips C/RW 5'7" 141 lbs - Victoria Royals (WHL)

Acquired: 2017 Entry Draft 102nd Overall

2017-2018 Stats: WHL - 40GP 28G 31A 59P 18PIM +8

The small forward has been in the WHL's top 10 in scoring consistantly this year. He'll have an uphill battle due to his small stature but will get the chance to do that in the AHL next year. For now his ceiling remains a top 6 utility player.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 3 years away, his play as a pro next year in the AHL will go a long way in evaluating him.

 

10. Blake Speers C/RW 6'0" 185 lbs - Binghampton Devils (AHL)

Acquired: 2016 Entry Draft 60th Overall

2017-2018 Stats: AHL - 32GP 4G 4A 8P 12PIM -5

He'll need to find his scoring touch at the pro level but does project well as a bottom 6 untility player regardless. His ceiling is 3rd line RW Grinder/energy player.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 2 years. Look for him to spend a season or two on the farm.

 

11. Kevin Roy LW 5'9" 170 lbs - Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

Acquired: Traded To Buffalo: Kevin Roy, NSH 2nd 2017 (Nathan Noel), $750,000 To Ottawa: Ryan Kesler (UFA, 50% retianed)

2017-2018 Stats: NHL - 23GP 6A 1A 7P 6PIM +2, AHL - 10GP 4G 7A 11P 2PIM +0

Talks involving Kevin Roy had been ongoing since GM Mitchell entered the league back in 2014. Roy had been playing some good hockey with limited minutes for the Ducks this year prior to his injury. Ceiling is a 2nd line scoring winger.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: Next year should see Roy as at least an injury call-up. Boom or bust type so he may never make the Sabres full-time.

 

12. Ian McCoshen D 6'3" 218 lbs - Florida Panthers (NHL)

Acquired: Traded To Buffalo: Ian McCoshen To Calgary: BUF 2019 2nd

2017-2018 Stats: NHL - 27GP 3G 0A 3P 18PIM -9

He was acquired via trade as a long term project but surprisingly made the Panthers out of camp this year. The offensive numbers aren't great but his success won't be measured by offensive statistics. Ceiling is top 4 defensive Dman.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: Next season. With the expansion draft looming he will likely see a full-time job as a 6th/7th Dman.

 

13. Daniel O'Regan C/W 5'10" 176 lbs - San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

Acquired: 2013 Entry Draft 135th Overall

2017-2018 Stats: NHL - 10GP 0G 4A 4P 2PIM +0, AHL - 17GP 7G 7A 14P 8PIM -6

The first player on the list from the previous management. Expect him to stick in the NHL next season out of camp or he will have to be exposed to waivers. His ceiling is 2nd line playmaker but he's more likely to find success as a 3rd liner.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: Next year. He'll at least be a 13th forward next season as he'll need waivers to be sent down.

 

14. Ben Harpur D 6'6" 223 lbs - Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Acquired: Traded To Buffalo: David Perron, Ben Harpur, LA 2015 4th(traded to Avs) To Jets: Johnny Hockey, Tyler Myers, Colton Parayko

2017-2018 Stats: NHL - 16GP 0G 1A 1P 11PIM -7, AHL - 8GP 2G 2A 4P 25PIM -2

Part of a crazy lop-sided trade, Harpur has been developing slowly but is showing signs of carving out an NHL career as a shut down guy. His skating is what makes him intriguing due to his size.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: Could be a 7th Dman next year. 2 years away from a full-time spot.

 

15. Justin Kloos C/W 5'9" 179 lbs - Iowa Wild (AHL)

Acquired: 2017 Entry Draft 192nd Overall

2017-2018 Stats: AHL - 34GP 9G 15A 24P 22PIM -11

The small undrafted forward can play every forward position in any role, this versitility will be his key to the NHL. This was a real boom or bust pick but in the 7th round and so far it's looking like it will pay off. Due to his versitility nailing down a ceiling is quite difficult, 3rd line grinder is probably a fair assessment.

BRHL 2 pro ETA: 3 years. He'll need at least 2 years on the farm.

 

Next 5?

16. Jon Gillies G 6'6" 223 lbs - Stockton Flames (AHL)

17. Lukas Vejdemo C/W 6'2" 194 lbs - Djurgardens IF (SHL)

18. Matthew Spencer D 6'2" 205 lbs - Syracuse Crunch (SHL)

19. Spencer Martin G 6'3" 209 lbs - San Antonio Rampage (AHL)

20. Nathan Noel C/W 5'11" 174 lbs - Indy Fuel (ECHL)

 

The Sabres hold all their picks in the upcoming draft but could have a few more if some veterans get moved.

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