This is the final installment of the mid-season Sabres prospect report. In the previous two parts, we’ve taken a look at some of the forwards and goaltenders who could make an impact for the Sabres in the coming years, and today it’s time to take a look at what Buffalo has coming on the blue line.
Before getting to that though, it’s worth mentioning some of the latest Covid-19 news as it pertains to the Sabres. The Sabres announced yesterday that Don Granato, Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski have all been placed on the league’s Covid protocol list. With Jeff Skinner, Vinnie Hinostroza and Zemgus Girgensons all on the list already, it seemed likely that Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils would be postponed. It doesn’t appear that will be the case.
The NHL says that the Sabres games Wednesday and Thursday will be played as scheduled
— Paul Hamilton (@pham1717) December 27, 2021
The Sabres will therefore need to play down half of their forwards with Casey Mittelstadt and Drake Caggiula on the shelf due to injury, not to mention they have to play without their coach. This makes zero sense now that the NHL has the entire month of February for makeup games with players no longer going to China for the Olympics. The league could easily reschedule contests. It seems like the league is set on maintaining the All-Star Game for monetary reasons, but shelving that pointless exhibition would buy them additional days as well. That the Sabres might need to play Mark Pysyk at center on Wednesday (just an idea for you, acting head coach Matt Ellis) in order to fill out a roster is absurd. The NHL also announced the reintroduction of taxi squads comprised of six players per team in order for teams to ice somewhat competent teams. That means the Sabres will be able to keep three goalies easily if-and-when Craig Anderson returns.
Enough of about Covid. Back to the defensemen.
Owen Power – University of Michigan (NCAA)
The timing of this blog couldn’t be more fortuitous as Owen Power dominated for Canada against Czechia during last night’s World Junior Championship game. The 6’6… defenseman scored a hat trick – the first time any Canadian defenseman achieved that feat – as the Canadians downed the Czechs by a 6-to-3 score.
OWEN POWER HATTY…¼ï¸ https://t.co/FVvA391Mm7
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) December 27, 2021
Power is having a very nice offensive season for Michigan with 23 points in 18 games with a +13 rating, a start that has generated considerable Hobey Baker Award buzz. It’s possible that both he and Sabres goaltending prospect Devon Levi could be finalists for the award which is certainly a positive indicator for a team that is in rebuilding mode. Power’s point totals put him 10th in the NCAA in scoring, and first in scoring for a defenseman. Prior to the draft in 2021,
Power was a number one overall pick for more than his scoring though (and his size for that matter). Power was seen as a prospect who played the defensive side of the game at a competent or good level, even if that has to be graded on a curve with many defensemen taking years to fully come into their own on the defensive side of the ice. Sabres will need to be patient with Power when he makes the transition to the Sabres, possibly as soon as this spring following the conclusion of his collegiate season.
Power’s career track could also take him to Beijing for the Olympics as NHL players are no longer participating. One would have to think that he’s a near-lock to make Canada’s roster as one of the NCAA’s top players, combined with his massive size that will help him play against men. 2021-22 is shaping up to be an incredible ride for Power.
Ryan Johnson – University of Minnesota (NCAA)
In some ways, Ryan Johnson has become the forgotten first-round pick. Selected by Jason Botterill 31st overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Johnson has quietly put together some solid seasons. This year, the 6’0… left-shot defenseman has 11 points in 18 games, along with a +4 rating. The California native could be a choice to join Team USA in China for the Olympics. Johnson is projected to be a smooth-skating, two-way defenseman who can contribute at both ends of the ice. It’s possible that he could turn pro following the season as well, although the Sabres would likely need to move some pieces out at the trade deadline to make room for him, in part because the Sabres currently have 46 of their 50 NHL-eligible contract spots filled. Trading Robert Hagg for a 4th or a 5th round pick and inserting Johnson in the lineup could make that work.
Mattias Samuelsson – Rochester Americans (AHL)
Mattias Samuelsson offers a lot of things to the Sabres that the current defensive group doesn’t have: defensive acuity, size and a little bit of nasty, too. Samuelsson had a good shot to make the Sabres roster following an excellent Prospect Showcase, but he was hurt in the preseason which derailed his chances to make the Sabres roster. Samuelsson has put up good offensive numbers in the AHL with 12 points in 16 games. Surprisingly, his +/- looks rough as he currently sits at a -6 for the year.
At 6’4… and 227 pounds, Samuelsson seems like a lock for the Sabres roster. Unfortunately for him, he’s a left-side defenseman, and so are Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Ryan Johnson. To a lesser extent of importance, Jacob Bryson plays on the left side, too. Perhaps Samuelsson could switch to the right side in order to free up the log jam. That said, one has to wonder what the Sabres could receive in return for Samuelsson or Johnson and one of their later first-round picks this season. The Sabres are looking fairly stout on the left side of the blueline, and they could really use another right winger or a center. The team should be open to trading one of either Johnson or Samuelsson.
Also in the system:
Oskari Laaksonen (Rochester Americans): 1+13 in 22 games, -5
Philip Nyberg (Lindlövens IF): 0+8 in 21 games, +9
Nakita V. Novikov (Dynamo Moskva): 1+3 in 30 games, +2
Linus Cronholm: (Linkoping HC) 0+0 in 27 games, -2
Miska Kukkonen (Lukko): 1+0 in 11 games, -2
Albert Lyckasen (BIK Karlskoga): 3+4 in 27 games, +6