The TCB Prospect Notebook is back!
Prospect Analyst, Curtis Schwartzkopf, will be joining us on The Charge every week to provide in-depth updates on all of the Sabres Prospects.
Let’s jump into the last few weeks of play:
Stats Below From Games 11/7/2022 – 11/20/2022
NOTE: For recaps below, we are highlighting any prospects who contributed on the score sheet over the past week or did anything notable. For an overall view of Sabres Prospects and their stats, be sure to check The Charging Buffalo’s Prospect Stat Tracker which is updated daily here.
Premier Prospect - Matthew Savoie
5 GP | 4 Goals | 7 Assists | 11 Points
Matthew Savoie was extremely hot these past 2 weeks for Winnipeg, collecting 11 points (4 goals, and 7 assists) in 5 games. Savoie had not put up the gaudy numbers to start this season but the dynamic forward has changed that as of late and has been a major contributor to Winnipeg’s 20-2 record.
Savoie’s quick release makes him so dangerous when shooting the puck and his ability to find himself in the high-danger areas of the ice are a big reason why he’s seen an uptick in production. This uncanny ability by Savoie to find space gives him an edge when near the net front and when combined with his high-end puck skills, make him lethal at the junior level.
Prospect Updates
JJ Peterka has been extremely noticeable in Buffalo and has been one of the best forwards on the team from an xGF% perspective. Using his speed and excellent hockey acumen, Peterka is creating a ton of offense and is a big reason why Sabres hockey has been entertaining this year. The future is bright for the young German who seemingly gets better every night.
Quinn had been one of the Sabres’ most positive impact players in his limited action and arguably deserves much more playing time given how well he is generating chances. Finding himself on a line with Cozens and Peterka recently, Quinn is not seeing his shots go in at the moment but the floodgates are sure to open soon for the young sniper.
Josh Bloom was a favorite of The Charging Buffalo’s prospect group in 2021-22, entering the season with much higher expectations than the year prior. Prior to being traded to North Bay Bloom turned things up for Saginaw, picking up a game-winning OT goal on a breakaway with his trademark finishing move. Bloom picked up a few assists and even sealed another game with an empty netter for Saginaw. Bloom scored in his first game with the Battalion and figures to be a key piece on a team that is near the top of the standings in the OHL.
Aleksandr Kisakov collected his first 3 AHL goals, showing off his quick release and ability to beat goalies cleanly The young Russian was off to a slow start with Rochester, even sitting a few games but has since started to find the scoresheet. Kisakov has a long way to go in his development but the positive improvements to his game have started to come through.
Filip Cederqvist is one of the more mature Sabres prospects at 22 years of age and 115 games of SHL experience. Part of what allowed Cederqvist to develop into the player he is today was his play on the powerplay and in front of the net. That’s why it was not much surprise to see him score his 1st AHL goal in such a fashion after taking a pass down low and driving to the front of the net for a quick shot. While his impacts at even strength are just below average at this stage of the season, Cederqvist appears to be trending upward and becoming a prospect that Sabres fans should be keeping an eye on.
Isak Rosén has finally been given a chance to show what he can do when given the proper ice time. The speedy winger collected 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 5 games for the Amerks the past 2 weeks and has turned things around after a disappointing DY+1 season. The Sabres organization has preached patience so it would be surprising for Rosén to get a call up early on but it’s great to see him succeeding down in the AHL and developing his game in North America.
Lukas Rousek has been phenomenal for Rochester to start this season. The high energy player brings a speed element that makes him very difficult to play against. Rousek seems like the type of player who may earn a callup to Buffalo at some point this season. Rousek closed out a game for the Amerks with an empty net goal that was all effort and resulted in him taking a vicious hit that he was fortunate to walk away from unscathed.
Mats Lindgren picked up his first and second goals as a Red Deer Rebel and showed off what makes him a dynamic offensive force from the back end. Lindgren like a few other Sabres prospects has gotten off to a bit of a slow start but is hopefully rounding into form going forward.
Devon Levi has somehow continued his NCAA dominance from last season but did have a rough couple of outings for Northeastern by his standards, allowing 11 goals in just 4 games. Levi however continues to face a ton of shots on a nightly basis as even with giving up 11 goals, he had a 0.926 Save %.