Sabres 2021 1st round Isak Rosen has been looking stellar through two games at the Sabres Prospects Challenge, scoring goals, making assists, and playing well in his own end. Is this the beginning of Rosen pushing for a Sabres roster spot?
Plus, other players performance’s at the tournament, like Zach Benson and Matt Savoie, as well as why Sneaky Joe is down on Ryan Johnson.
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8 Comments
I’m not worried about Ryan Johnson right now… he’s fresh from NCAA.. and right now.. you have Dahlin, Samualsson, Power, E. Johnson, Stillman, Jokiharju, Clifton, and maybe Bryson right now ahead of him for an NHL spot.. though I think Bryson might be better behind him.. That means, I think he’s our 8th best option for the NHL club… (9th if you put bryson ahead of him) I think if you give this guy 1 year at the AHL level.. and he’ll be what you are expecting to see.. NCAA is NOT AHL level.. it’s rather up and down.. given time against bigger guys.. I think he’ll be what we want to see..
Good points on Novikov.
I could see a different retention percentage for Gibson for sure. I also see that UPL isn’t going to win them a ton of games either, but Anaheim’s a few years away from a “Win now” mindset, which is why Gibson wants out. And UPL will decently fill that void till one of their prospects matures enough to take the reins.
Bryson is also a good defensive prospect, for a team hurting defensively. And I believe he would fulfill the same “bandaid” role Anaheim needs, like UPL would.
Why would Anaheim be insterested in UPL when they have Dostal and Clang? Dostal will be a NHLer this season and Clang should be soon. If they trade Gibson, they will need a veteran goalie, not UPL. Do you think that either Kulich or Rosen will get a look at Quinn's spot until Jack returns from his injury? I totally agree on Novikov, he has been the best defender in our end and more than decent offensively (he was the best skater against Pittsburgh). It is a shame that Komorov is injured as I have heard good things about his season in Quebec. Johnson is a year away from the Sabres at least. You are right that Johnson should have been our defensive leader. Novikov, Lindgren & Metsa have played better on the blue line this week. The other note from the prospects challenge is the Sabres played 11/7 against Pittsburgh, resting Kulich, Rosen, Kisakov & Neuchev (who has been good this week) and then lost Matt Savoie injured on the first shift. Lets hope it is a short term injury.
Agree with Everything you said. Rosen was the best player on the ice. Novikov looks like an NHL player. I also think that Kozak is a future 4th liner for us.
You are way off on Ryan Johnson. You said his skating didn't "stick out" to you?!?!? His skating is ELITE! Yes, he does need to get bigger, but he had dominated at this tourney and proved why he was a late 1st rd pick. He's never gonna be on the 1st PP unit, but he's an elite puck mover and defender, and all his skills are NHL translatable. What the heck are you watching??!!??
Ryan Johnson's skating is elite.
Yikes, the disrespect for Ryan Johnson dude. You're comparing a prospect with tremendous upside to TJ Brennan when said prospect is going to develop his game in the AHL this season. Johnson already has elite puck moving skills and is a great skater. Yes he needs to bulk up but he has a full year to do that before he possibly makes the Sabres roster next season. He will be a solid 3rd pair defensemen (hopefully with who could play on the 2nd pair if injuries happen.
Otherwise I agree with most of what you said Joe, especially regarding Novikov. Both him and Johnson are left shot d-men so it'll be interesting to see how that plays out in a couple of years