With the passing of the trade deadline, things have been relatively quiet for the Buffalo Sabres. With only one deadline day deal, in which the team gained another draft pick but no players, there hasn’t been much movement for the young Sabres.
With a bottom-ten finish all but guaranteed, it’s been another disappointing season, at least results wise. Still, there were flashes of hope, and glimmers of what this Sabres team will be in the near future, as general manager Tim Murray continues to build the team from scratch concentrating on their talented youth.
On Monday, the team announced that they’d signed goaltending prospect Jason Kasdorf to an entry level contract. Kasdorf’s signing marks the end of the NCAA hockey season for some players, while other Buffalo prospects will go on to compete in their respective conference and national tournaments. It seems like a good time to check in with Buffalo’s prospects and see how they’ve performed this season.
Kasdorf had just finished his final season at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). His individual stats standout from his record – at 12-12-5, he suffered a bit because of the team playing in front of him. His 0.931 save percentage is impressive, though, and fits him into the top ten in the country.
He will benefit from finishing his season in the pros, as Buffalo continues to evaluate their deep goaltending pool. Whether Kasdorf is around for the long haul is the question – one has to wonder if Murray made this move to showcase the young prospect and perhaps work him into an offseason deal.
7 game winners this year for #Gophers junior @Hfasching22.
1st in @B1GHockey.
T2nd in @NCAAIceHockey. pic.twitter.com/pr4ZLj0phO— Minnesota M Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 13, 2016
One of Buffalo’s most promising players is Minnesota’s Hudson Fasching. Fasching has 20 goals this season for the Golden Gophers, and has served as alternate captain for the team. The junior, a power forward with great hands for his size, has demonstrated a proficiency in the ‘dirty areas’ of the ice in the corners and behind the net.
He has proven he has a scoring touch, but more importantly, Fasching scores when it counts. He has seven game-winning goals in Minnesota’s 19 wins for the season. Aside from his scoring prowess, Fasching is a responsible two-way player, and with Buffalo’s possession issues, Fasching should be able to contribute off of the scoreboard as much as on it.
Sabres fans will be excited to know that Brendan Guhle is having a great season in the WHL for the Prince Albert Raiders. Perhaps his most significant feature is his resilience – Guhle played in each of PA’s 72 games last season and after an upper body injury suffered in Buffalo’s development camp, he’s played 61-straight games this season.
The big-bodied left handed defenseman has scored 28 points for the Raiders and is considered one of the top defensemen in the WHL. Guhle is a physical defender who is willing to mix it up in front of the net, but still has the ability to move the puck in transition, and even join the rush, without losing track of his defensive responsibilities.
Guhle may have one more year in juniors next season, but a good camp could net him a roster spot if some of Buffalo’s defenders fall off.
GAME DAY! The top two teams in the East Division meet up for their fifth match-up of the season. pic.twitter.com/ONhRhfRZ91
— PrinceAlbert Raiders (@PARaidersHockey) February 9, 2016
Hometown hero Justin Bailey has had a strong showing for the Rochester Americans of the AHL. With 31 points in 54 games, Bailey is a responsible forward – one of only a handful of Amerks with a positive plus-minus rating.
His strength is his biggest asset, and though he is not fast, he can be quick with the puck and is an adept finisher, which is something that Buffalo has lacked through the season. If Bailey continues his progress through the remainder of the season and into the offseason, he may contend for a roster spot this year, and given the right setup man, could contribute in the offensive end, even from a depth position.
Hailing from West Seneca, NY, which is just south of Buffalo, Harvard’s junior standout, Sean Malone, was just named the NCAA’s First Star of the Week for his incredible performance over the weekend. He finished with six points on three goals and three assists and a plus-5 rating.
His two-way play is Malone’s best feature – he’s got 19 points in 25 games for the Crimson, but his most impressive stat is his plus-12 rating on the season. There are many who discount this flawed stat, and while it is not a complete look at a player, a rating this high certainly reflects Malone’s awareness. He reads the play well and anticipates opportunities to create chances for his team, but also puts himself in a good position to prevent opposition passes or shots.
These five players are all making a big impact for their teams while they continue to work toward NHL careers. With only 12 games left in their less-than-stellar season, the Sabres are looking ahead to see what is in store for the young team. Hopefully, these young men can find a spot for themselves as Buffalo begins to climb out of mediocrity and realize their true potential.
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