BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon sent rookie forward Jiri Kulich to the Rochester Americans, creating a roster spot for winger Zach Benson.
Coach Lindy Ruff said following this morning’s skate he would talk to Benson, who has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, to see how he felt.
Kulich, 20, compiled one goal in eight games as he moved in and out of the lineup over the last month. In Rochester, where he has scored 51 goals over the last two seasons with the Amerks, he has developed into one of the AHL’s most talented prospects.
If the Czech, the 28th overall pick in 2022, performs well in Rochester, he should return to the NHL in the near future.
“He’s on the cusp of becoming the player everybody thinks he can be,” Ruff said after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators in KeyBank Center.
Kulich, a natural center the Sabres utilized as a winger, impressed Ruff, showcasing growth during his longest stint in Buffalo.
“Like a lot of young players, there’s a lot of good stuff,” Ruff said. “His game, I think even from the camp until now, has come around. I think ideally for a guy like Kuli, his shot is his weapon, he needs to be on a first power-play unit and be over on that right side, and his threat is shooting the puck, his biggest weapon.
“But I do think his five-on-five play has been very good. Like, he’s determined, he’s been able to skate with it, he’s been able to defend well. Everybody says he’s a lot stronger this year than he was last year.”