BUFFALO – Sometimes the NHL preseason must be analyzed appropriately. What kind of competition was that prospect who scored a nifty goal or enjoyed a standout night facing? Was he competing against top talent or minor leaguers and undersized youngsters?
If you dissect Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund’s recent exploits – the center scored one goal, an overtime winner, and four points in four exhibition outings – everything probably looks more impressive than first thought.
Ostlund, 20, dazzled throughout Saturday’s 6-3 road loss, recording three assists in a game in which the Columbus Blue Jackets dressed a regular NHL lineup.
In the first period, the Swedish rookie created center Josh Dunne’s power-play goal at the net by adroitly feeding him from the left circle. In the second period, he showcased his sublime hockey sense, barely looking to feed trailing defenseman Zach Metsa.
Ostlund saved arguably his best for the third period, grabbing defenseman Vsevolod Komarov’s pass and racing down the slot before slowing down and deftly backhanding the puck to linemate Mason Jobst. Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, the eight-year veteran caught in between, couldn’t stymie the goal.
Three assists on three slick plays by Ostlund, who on Tuesday was assigned to the Rochester Americans.
“His ability to make plays, like those two passes that he made, I mean, were highlight-reel, ESPN-type plays,” Amerks coach Mike Leone said following Sunday’s practice in KeyBank Center. “He had a bunch of others. He had a breakaway, he had a two-on-one in the third period he just missed on.”
Ostlund, the 16th overall pick in 2022, did not miss in Thursday’s overtime, clinching a 3-2 road victory against the Ottawa Senators by driving from the left circle to the net and backhanding the puck in. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound Ostlund had center Zack Ostapchuk, who’s three inches taller and 34 pounds heavier, shadowing him the entire time.
“Those are gifts you can’t teach,” Leone said. “Some kids have those. I mean, I like the fact that he’s a big defender that was on him, he pulled away, he protected it, took it to the net, went to a hard area. I really like his ability … of playing to the inside where he’s not playing perimeter hockey. He’s playing hard, he’s getting to the hard areas.”
Ostlund, 3-2 overtime winner #LetsGoBuffalo #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/vQbStxY4tb
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) September 27, 2024
Ostlund created perhaps more scoring chances than any Sabres player during the final four preseason games. He drew the overtime penalty that led to center Konsta Helenius’ power-play winner in Monday’s 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
But more than his offense caught Leone’s eye.
“Just his play away from the puck, he’s so smart, he’s on the right side of it, he’s got really good habits,” Leone said.
It’s no coincidence Ostlund showcased a mature, aggressive game throughout his first NHL training camp that complements his skill and hockey sense. He spent the last two seasons playing pro hockey at home. He played last year for Vaxjo HC in the Swedish Hockey League, one of the world’s best circuits.
He joined Rochester late in the campaign, playing his first five AHL games, including three in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Ostlund said his short stint playing the smaller North American ice surface made him “realize that it’s a different game over here.”
“It goes much more quicker and a little bit more (battling), too,” said Ostlund, who also joined Rochester during the playoffs in 2023 but did not play.
Amerks assistant coach Vinny Prospal said the few weeks Ostlund spent in Rochester last spring were “the best thing that ever happened to him.”
“He was practicing with us, he was observing,” he said. “He knew what he was going into this year. He was more prepared. It was a good opportunity to kind of come in, get used to the speed, get used to more of a physical play than what it is is Europe, get used to the different faceoff rules because he’s a centerman, get used to the smaller ice rinks.”
Ostlund said he feels quicker and stronger after packing on about nine pounds during the offseason.
“I had a good summer, (was) able to get some more weight, and that made me more confident, and I feel like I use it on the ice, too,” he said.
Ostlund played center throughout the preseason after skating as a winger during the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament. While it’s possible he could be used as a winger to ease his transition to the AHL, he likely projects as a center long-term.
“He’s faster,” Prospal said. “He still needs to get stronger. But to me, he’s a centerman, and when he plays the center position, he’s a lot more on the puck. His skating ability’s very good in my mind, and he’s a true center ice man.”