At the beginning of the season we released a very quick look at the prospects in the Buffalo Sabres system. This was done without any research or preparation and was lacking in detail, but now that the players have settled into their 2016-2017 campaigns we will take a closer look and rank the teams top 10 young assets. This will include players 24 and under on the farm team who have no NHL experience.

 

#1

Thomas Chabot D 6'2" 190 lbs

QMJHL Saint John Sea Dogs

2GP 1G 2A 3P 2PIM -1

 

The Sabres top pick in this past draft, Chabot got only 1 game in the NHL this season and spent the rest of the time in the press box. He was finally returned to junior where he got of to a quick start in game 1 picking up 3 points. Chabot is a two-way defenseman known for his quick decision making, great foot speed, and can surprise the opposition with an offensive flair. His ceiling is a top pairing Dman.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a lot of Alex Pietrangelo. He looks to be at least two years away from making an impact in the BRHL"

 

#2

Jon Gillies G 6'6" 223 lbs

AHL Stockton Heat

7GP 2.98GAA .901SV% 4W 1L 1OTL

 

Gillies had a hip injury last year that limited him to only 7 games, but he did shine in those 7 games and gave everyone a glimpse of what to expect. Now that he is healthy he's back on track and ready to prove he can handle the rigors of a full pro schedule. He has very good technique to go with his size and can also make the odd highlight reel save with his big reach. He projects as a #1 goalie and barring any further set backs he may not be that far away.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a bit of a more athletic Devan Dubnyk. He could step onto the pro team as early as next season as a back-up."

 

#3

Jack Roslovic C/RW 6'1" 183 lbs

AHL Manitoba Moose

10GP 3G 7A 10P 2PIM +2

 

 

Jack was considered a raw prospect when he was drafted out of the US development program back in 2015, he quickly turned some heads while attending Miami University in Ohio and has continued his impressive run going a PPG through his first 10 games as a pro leading all Moose players in points. He's a good skater and has amazing vision which is why he is currently being developed as a center rather than a winger. He owns a pretty good shot but the knock on him is he doesn't use that shot nearly enough and looks for the pass first. He projects as a 2nd line playmaker.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a bit of Derick Brassard. He'll be on the BRHL farm team next year and will require at least one full year before challenging for a pro spot."

 

#4

Ivan Barbashev C/LW 6'0" 181 lbs

AHL Chicago Wolves

10GP 5G 4A 9P 0PIM +3

 

 

Ivan showed consistency issues last season as he'd disappear for games at a time before showing flashes of his skill. He's got good speed and has excellent vision but so far this year he seems to be shooting the puck more which is a good sign. He needs to iron out his consistency issues before he'll get a shot at playing in the pros, but looks like a good bet to make it to the NHL. His ceiling is top 6 scoring forward, he may need to play wing to excel in a top 6 though.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a bit of Artem Anisimov. His ETA in the BRHL pros is a bit of a mystery still, he looks at least 2 seasons away from competing for a spot."

 

#5

Filip Chlapik C 6'1" 196 lbs

QMJHL Charlottetown Islanders

16GP 16G 13A 29P 39PIM +6

 

 

He's been on a tear this year which is a great sign because there were questions swirling around him after a bit of a disappointing season. This is his last year of junior eligibility so he'll need to keep up the pace in order to continue to turn heads. He's a pretty good blend of sniper and playmaker seemingly depending on what year you look at, but he's always leading the rush and making the players around him better. His ceiling right now is top 6 playmaking center.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a lot of David Krejci without the playoff acumen. He's at least 2 or 3 years away from making the BRHL pros."

 

#6

Riley Barber RW 6'0" 194 lbs

AHL Hershey Bears

10GP 3G 4A 7P 4PIM +4

 

 

Barber made his pro debut last season and posted a great rookie campaign tallying 26 goals and 55 points in 74 games. Barber's ceiling is still a bit of an unknown at this point, but it looks like 2nd line two-way winger may be it. He's the type of player who can play up and down the line-up in a variety of roles from PP to PK. He'll likely get a call-up this season as an injury replacement but ultimately will get his shot to stick full-time in next seasons training camp.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me of Garry Valk with a bit more offense to his game. His ETA in the BRHL is maybe next year in a bottom 6 role."

 

#7

Blake Speers C/RW 6'0" 183 lbs

OHL Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

1GP 0G 0A 0P 0PIM -1

 

He got a cup of coffee in the NHL this season before being returned to the OHL. He's a great playmaker and plays a strong possession game, he's also not afraid to put his body on the line and put in the work along the boards. He's not small but he looks small on the ice and tends to get knocked off the puck easily. He'll need to continue to grow and bulk up if he is going to have success against men. There are big expectations on him going into his 4th year in the OHL as his ceiling is a top 6 playmaker. Whether he suits up at center or on the wing will be determined by his growth going forward.

 

GM Says: "Comparison is hard for Speers, I think his game reminds me a bit of Bryan Little maybe. He is at least 3 years away from making any kind of an impact in the BRHL"

 

#8

Daniel O'Regan C/LW 5'10" 176 lbs

AHL San Jose Barracuda

6GP 4G 1A 5P 0PIM +/-0

 

Danny saw a large spike in his stats when he was playing beside Eichel in BU but quickly proved his doubters wrong the next season posting over a PPG without the young phenom. He's a great skater with good offensive instincts and has proven that he can play well and develop chemistry with good players. His ceiling is currently a top line scorer though he will most likely feature on a secondary scoring line.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me of Tyler Bozak, here's hoping he can develop his defensive game the same way. His ETA in the BRHL pros is at least 2 years."

 

#9

Matt Spencer D 6'2" 205 lbs

OHL Peterborough Petes

8GP 1G 2A 3P 8PIM -3

 

Matt has been stuck on some poor Pete's teams the last 3 years and this year may be no different. He was selected high at 3rd overall in the OHL Priority draft and was thought to have some big offensive upside, but in his 3 years with the Pete's he hasn't shown a lot of that upside. Still, even without living up to his offensive expectations he's been brilliant defensively and transitions the puck well. If he continues to move the puck well and make smart decisions with the puck the offensive numbers should improve. He does still have a very high ceiling and we won't know how likely he is to reach it until he gets his feet wet as a pro. Ceiling is #2/3 two-way Dman.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a bit of Johnny Boychuk. His BRHL ETA could be as far away as 4 years."

 

#10

Lukas Vejdemo C 6'2" 194 lbs

SHL Djurgardens IF

9GP 0G 1A 1P 2PIM -3

 

Lukas was passed over his first year eligible for the draft but made his mark playing on Djurgardens U20 team the next season and put himself on the map. He's known as a hard worker and used his size to his advantage. Nothing about his offensive game stands out above his peers but his work ethic is second to none. He has the ability to adapt to different roles and can play up and down a line-up. He projects currently as a 3rd line grinding center but does have the ability to provide some offense.

 

GM Says: "He reminds me a bit of Dean McAmmond...a bit obscure I know. ETA in the BRHL is likely 5 years away, he's a bit of a project at the moment."

 

We'll revisit this list again and update in the spring.

Cheers!