Ostlund - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund to play next season in Sweden

Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund has decided to play in Sweden for another year.

Ostlund, the 16th overall pick in 2022, will be spending the 2023-24 season with Swedish Hockey League’s Vaxjo Lakers, the team announced Monday.

The center played 11 games in the SHL in 2021-22 with his former team, Djurgardens, before it was relegated to HockeyAllsvenskan, a second-division league.... Read the full article

In prized Sabres prospect Matt Savoie, Rochester Amerks add new weapon

ROCHESTER – Before the Americans can think about utilizing slick Buffalo Sabres prospect Matt Savoie in the Calder Cup Playoffs, coach Seth Appert joked he needs to learn his new teammates’ names.

Savoie, 19, has experienced a whirlwind few days, traveling from Seattle, where his junior team lost in the Western Hockey League final, back to Winnipeg. Following some emotional goodbyes with his Ice teammates, he arrived in Western New York on Sunday.

After practicing ... Read the full article

Sabres assign prospect Matt Savoie to Rochester Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday assigned center prospect Matt Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, to the Rochester Americans.

Savoie, 19, can join the Amerks, Buffalo’s AHL affiliate, because his junior campaign with the Winnipeg Ice ended Friday in the Western Hockey League championship. Teenagers who play for Canadian Hockey League teams aren’t eligible to play for AHL clubs until their season is over.

The Amerks begin the best-of-seven Eastern Conference final series ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund joins Amerks following Swedish season

Buffalo Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund, the 16th overall pick last year, has joined the Rochester Americans to practice and get a feel for the organization.

The Amerks play the fifth and decisive game of their AHL North Division semifinal series tonight on the road against the Syracuse Crunch. Ostlund, however, likely won’t be participating in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Ostlund, 19, has been battling a foot injury that forced him to miss playoff games ... Read the full article

Matt Savoie, Jiri Kulich and likely other Sabres prospects off limits in trades

BUFFALO – In his early days as general manager, Kevyn Adams began reshaping the Sabres by trading established assets.

Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen all fetched hefty returns and have helped the Sabres compile a deep and talented stable of prospects.

As the Sabres have developed into a playoff contender this season, Adams has learned how much other teams covet their young talent.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson reflective after NHL All-Star selection: ‘A tough journey’

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Tage Thompson learned he had earned his first selection to the NHL All-Star Game, he reflected on his long, arduous journey to one of hockey’s premier events.

While Thompson, 25, made his big league debut with the St. Louis Blues in 2017, he struggled for years to secure regular duty and reach his vast potential. He endured demotions, a season-ending injury and other setbacks before enjoying a 38-goal breakout campaign ... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen turning heads at World Juniors

Before Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen left Rochester to join their respective countries at the World Junior Championship, Americans coach Seth Appert challenged the youngsters to rely on more than their skill during the tournament.

He said the AHL rookies have evolved over the past three months, displaying a willingness to play on the inside and attack the net. Without the puck, they’ve learned how to forecheck and about the physicality needed ... Read the full article

Sabres reassign three prospects for World Junior Championship

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday reassigned three of their top forward prospects – Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund and Isak Rosen – to their respective national teams for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Kulich (Czech Republic) and Rosen (Sweden) have spent their first season in North America with the Rochester Americans, while Ostlund (Sweden) has played for Djurgardens, a pro team in HockeyAllsvenskan.

Kulich, 18, has scored six goals and 16 points in 24 games ... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Isak Rosen, Noah Ostlund named to World Junior roster

Buffalo Sabres forward prospects Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund have been named to Team Sweden’s preliminary roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Rosen, 19, has compiled three goals and 14 points in 20 games as a rookie with the Rochester Americans this season. He played in the most recent tournament in August, registering four goals and five points in seven contests as Sweden earned a bronze medal.

The Sabres must give Rosen, the 14th ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund turning heads in Sweden, scoring special goals

The night before Djurgardens’ recent exhibition game, Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund and his teammate, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, bet each other who would score the first “Michigan,” a lacrosse-style goal, this season.

The goal made famous by the Wolverines’ Mike Legg in the 1996 NCAA Tournament involves skill, timing and some luck. A player must lift the puck off the ice behind the net and quickly whip it over an unsuspecting goalie’s shoulder.

“(Ostlund) went out and ... Read the full article