Games Below From 1/27/2020 – 2/2/2020

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 or clicking the image below.

Prospect of the Week:  LW – Lukas Rousek

Sparta Praha (Czech) – 3 GP – 0 G – 5 A – 5 PTS

Known more for his goal scoring abilities, Rousek showed that he can be a playmaker this week, picking up 5 assists for Sparta Praha. An overage 6th round pick in 2019, Rousek has refined his game quite a bit this season and has been surprisingly productive. Leading up to this week, his anticipation and execution have led to his high goal total but as of late, his vision with the puck has helped create chances and goals for his team. The patience he displays while in possession of the puck shows there’s some sneaky playmaker potential to his game, which added to his goal scoring abilities, make him a solid all around player.

Weekly Prospect Updates:

• It was a down week by Cozens’ standards as he managed only 1 assist in 2 games played and snapped a season high 7 game point streak in which he tallied 9 goals and 8 assists. Sitting 2nd place in the Division, Cozens will gear up for a long playoff run with Lethbridge which ultimately ends with a berth in the Memorial Cup.
• Mittelstadt continues to find his offensive game in Rochester, registering points in 5 of his last 7 and 1 goal and 1 assist in 2 games last week. The former 1st round pick in 2017 has continued to adapt to the style of play the AHL has and is giving the fanbase hope that he can still turn into the player who wowed us all at KeyBank Center during the World Junior Tournament. I remain bearish on his overall ceiling but if Cozens can lock down 2C duties then Mittelstadt can operate as a very skilled 2nd line winger or 3rd line center which would lessen the burden on him and allow him to be a more effective contributor in the NHL.
• The Laaksonen assist below shows great offensive zone awareness and anticipation as he saw open ice and made himself available for a pass.  The slight hesitation as he approached the high slot helped to freeze the goaltender and open up a lane for him to pass to the front of the net.  This type of play forces the opponent to react to him and in turn gives him an advantage over what plays are available to him.  Having the understanding that his forward needed support and to find open ice to offer that support is an instinctive play which is why some are high on the unsigned Finnish defender.
• Brett Murray made a challenge for prospect of the week with a few great performances.  The power forward continues to produce at an unexpected rate and has found quite a niche in Rochester.  He is great in front of the net and has the size to make a living there in the AHL and while his foot speed is lacking, the progress he has made from last year in the USHL to this year shows he could be deserving of an ELC this summer.
• The Sabres have an opening on the left D side in the coming years and Jacob Bryson figures to be a part of the battle to earn that role.  His passing and play making abilities give him some offensive upside that could make him a sneaky good 3rd pair defender.  He is positionally sound which helps offset his lack of size and I am very optimistic about his vision with the puck as evidenced by the 3 assists he picked up this past week.  He will be competing with the likes of Ryan Johnson and Mattias Samuelsson to be considered the top left handed D prospect outside of Dahlin and Pilut.
• Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the only goaltending prospect in action this past week and he only appeared in one game for Rochester with Johansson up with Buffalo and Portillo sidelined for unknown reasons at this point in time. UPL was spectacular for the Amerks in his lone start, turning away 31 of 33 shots and showing he can put the poor 2 starts prior to this behind him.

WHL

C Dylan Cozens – Lethbridge
2 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 PTS

AHL – Rochester Americans

C Casey Mittelstadt
2 GP – 1 G – 1 A – 2 PTS

LW Brett Murray
4 GP – 2 G – 2 A – 4 PTS

C Andrew Oglevie
2 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 PTS

LD Jacob Bryson
2 GP – 0 G – 3 A – 3 PTS

NCAA

LW Linus Weissbach – Wisconsin
2 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 PTS

LD Ryan Johnson – Minnesota
2 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 PTS

Liiga

C Arttu Ruotsalainen – Ilves
3 GP – 0 G – 3 A – 3 PTS

RD Oskari Laaksonen – Ilves
3 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 PTS

Czech

LW Lukas Rousek – Sparta Praha
3 GP – 0 G – 5 A – 5 PTS

Allsvenskan

LD Linus Cronholm – Karlskrona
2 GP – 0 G – 2 A – 2 PTS

SuperElit U20

LD William Worge – Linkoping
1 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 PTS

Goaltenders

USHL

G Erik Portillo – Dubuque
0 GP – 0 W – N/A GAA – N/A SV%

AHL

G Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen – Rochester
2 GP – 0 W – 1 L –  3.00 GAA – .852 SV% (23/26)

NHL

G Jonas Johansson – Buffalo
0 GP – 0 W – N/A GAA – N/A SV%

Not Active – Injured

• Aaron Huglen – Fargo (USHL) – TBD
• Tage Thompson – Rochester (AHL) – Out for Season
• Marcus Davidsson – Vaxjo (SHL) – Week to Week
• Miska Kukkonen – Lukko (Liiga and Jr. A) – 5-6 Months

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

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Week Ahead Schedule