Games Below From 11/4/2019 – 11/10/2019

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 —-> TCB Sabres Prospect Stat Tracker 

Prospect of the Week:  N/A

With the European leagues not in action and some very average statistical performances by those who did play, the prospect of the week award goes unclaimed.

• Another week and another point per game effort by Dylan Cozens.  The hand injury he sustained in the offseason is clearly behind him as he is playing at a noticeably higher level than those around him.  Another goal and 2 assists in 3 games has him tied for 5th in WHL scoring with 28 points in 19 games.  His 13 goals are tied for 2nd in the league as well as his development continues to go as expected.
• As evidenced in the gif below, Tage Thompson showed off his offensive skill set and elite shot in a game against Binghamton.  Thompson made a nice breakout pass in his own zone to center ice and picked up a give and go pass from Scott Wilson that he promptly brought into the offensive zone and ripped a quick shot from the top of the circle.  With how much the Sabres are lacking secondary scoring, it’s surprising that he hasn’t gotten a call-up yet as the organization seems to be in no hurry to bring him up.  
• Vasily Glotov remains unsigned by the Sabres but continues to put up points in the VHL as he is now up to 6 goals and 4 assists in 15 games.  He’s definitely a long shot to ever get a real chance in the organization but we will continue to follow his progress due to the success he is currently having.
• It should be noted that RHD prospect Miska Kukkonen represented Finland in the U20 Four Nations tournament and appears to be on track to play for them at the World Junior Tournament coming up.  Jokke Nevalainen (@JokkeNevalainen on Twitter) had a nice write up about Kukkonen’s play in the tournament that can be read here and Jokke is also a great follow for European prospects.
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen continues to bounce back and forth between Rochester and Cincinnati with the latter being the only place he’s started over the last week.  UPL collected a 3-2 win for the Cyclones as he stopped 22 of 24 shots faced.  It’s assumed that the Sabres organization is easing him back into game shape after his off-season hip surgery but AHL action is in his future.
• Erik Portillo lost his only start for Dubuque in the USHL as he allowed 3 goals on 33 shots which improved his overall save % on the season to .896.  
• It appears that Oskari Laaksonen is ready to return to action for Ilves after being out for a few weeks due to injury.  The right handed defenseman has developed very nicely since being a surprise draft pick in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft and looks to build off of a solid start to his season that has seen him put up 1 goal and 4 assists in 11 games.
• Aaron Huglen remains the lone player in the prospect pool to have not seen any game action this year.  There are very few details about his injury and also how long he will be out for so hopefully the talented 4th round pick from 2019 will be in the lineup soon for Fargo of the USHL.

WHL

C Dylan Cozens – Lethbridge

3GP 2G 1A 3PTS

AHL – Rochester Americans

RW Tage Thompson

1GP 1G 0A 1PTS

C Rasmus Asplund

1GP 0G 1A 1PTS

LD Jacob Bryson

1GP 0G 1A 1PTS

NCAA

LW Linus Weissbach – Wisconsin

2GP 0G 1A 1PTS

LD Ryan Johnson – Minnesota

2GP 0G 1A 1PTS

VHL

LW Vasily Glotov – St. Petersberg

3GP 1G 0A 1PTS

USHL

G Erik Portillo – Dubuque

1GP – 0W – 3.00 GAA – .909 SV%

ECHL

G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Cincinnati

1GP – 1W – 2.00 GAA – .917 SV%

Not Active – Injured

• Aaron Huglen – Fargo (USHL)
• Oskari Laaksonen – Ilves (Liiga)

Continue to check in every Monday for a weekly prospect update from The Charging Buffalo Crew.

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Week Ahead Schedule