Three Sabres Prospects Ranked In Top 50

In their summer rankings of the Top 50 NHL Prospects, the Athletic has three Buffalo Sabres first-round picks ranked. 2023 top pick Zach Benson (#12), and 2022 first-rounders Matthew Savoie(#24), and Jiri Kulich (#25) are all in the top 25 prospects.

Good Morning from your boy Matthew Savoie, who snuck behind the defender to knock in the quick pass last night in Winnipeg's 3-2 OT win over Moose Jaw. Series knotted 2-2.
Savoie playoffs: 8GP 8-7-15 pic.twitter.com/FcxUyfqs6v

— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) April 20, 2023

Five of the top 7 prospects in the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville (Connor Bedard, Matvei Michkov, Adam Fantilli, Will Smith, and Leo Carlsson) are at the top of the list.

Benson has “benefitted from playing with talented linemates, (but) he is a driver in every sense” and “plays one step ahead of the game in possession, supports the play effectively, problem-solves as well as anyone on this list, works hard off the puck to keep his energy up.”

Savoie has “an NHL shot…does an excellent job creating plays to the slot out of traffic”, and is “a burning skater with explosiveness and quick three-step acceleration that allows him to win races, separate in transition, and put defenders onto their heels.”

Kulich, who spent all of last season with Rochester in the American Hockey League and scored seven playoff goals, is a “sturdy, driven, hard-shooting player who can morph his game to his role. The 19-year-old has “got quick hands and flashes skill with the puck on a string one-on-one, supports play well”, has “strength, balance, and control of his skating stride”, and a” world-class one-timer”.

Pegula Taking Over As Bills Team President

Sabres owner Terry Pegula has taken over more responsibility in the wake of the health crisis of his wife Kim and the departure of Ron Raccula as COO and Executive Vice President of the Buffalo Bills announced on Wednesday.