The Buffalo Sabres have split their training camp into two groups – one full of NHLers in Europe, and the other contrived of NHL hopefuls finishing out the preseason. The hopefuls will start the season in the AHL, ECHL, and WHL, but don’t tell them that. All they’ve done in the preseason is help keep the Sabres undefeated, winning 3-2 over the Pittsburgh Penguins and again on Thursday in overtime on a Noah Ostlund game-winner versus the Ottawa Senators.
Ostlund has improved every day since rookie camp, shining in both preseason games. He wasn’t the only one who played well on Thursday, as the Sabres peppered the Senators for 41 shots on goal while limiting Ottawa to only 16. Even more impressive is that the Senators played a mix of NHLers in their lineup, including starting goaltender Linus Ullmark.
To determine how well the Sabres’ prospects performed against the mix of Senators NHLers, let’s revert to the grading system implemented last season. That way, we can assign letter grades to each Buffalo player based on game performance. The letter grades are assigned based on statistical computation, taking into account the following factors:
- Production
- Quality of offense
- Quality of defense
- Volume of offense
- Volume of defense
- Powerplay performance
- Penalty kill performance
- Penalties drawn and taken
- Role
- Minutes played
| Grade | Lower Limit | Upper Limit |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 92% | 100% |
| A | 85% | 92% |
| A- | 77% | 85% |
| B+ | 69% | 77% |
| B | 62% | 69% |
| B- | 54% | 62% |
| C+ | 46% | 54% |
| C | 38% | 46% |
| C- | 31% | 38% |
| D+ | 23% | 31% |
| D | 15% | 23% |
| D- | 8% | 15% |
| F | 0% | 8% |
Studs
Noah Ostlund
Grade: A
Production: C+
Offense: A-
Defense: B+
Special Teams: A
The overtime scorer was fitting, as Ostlund was the best Sabres player throughout the night. He played mostly with Anton Wahlberg and Mason Jobst, and the trio project to be a featured line for the Rochester Americans this season. If Ostlund can continue to impress, it’s a good sign for the Sabres. Let’s not forget that Buffalo did select the Swedish forward 12 picks before Jiri Kulich, who is with the NHL group in Europe.
Nikita Novikov
Grade: A
Production: C+
Offense: B+
Defense: B-
Special Teams: A-
Nikita Novikov lasered a goal against the Penguins and followed that up with an active and effective game versus the Senators. The big Russian defender made his presence known last season with the Amerks and looks primed to be a key piece on the Rochester blueline this season.
If Novikov can be as comfortable offensively as he’s shown in the preseason with the Sabres, there’s another level to his game to support his NHL prospects.
Josh Dunne
Grade: B+
Production: B
Offense: C+
Defense: B-
Special Teams: A-
Josh Dunne notched the first goal of the game for Buffalo. He also stepped up in his teammate’s defense and fought Donovan Sebrango after a hit from behind in the first period. That left two-thirds of the game for Dunne to pick up an assist and complete the Gordie Howe hat trick, but the big forward came up just short.
Still, it was a great effort by the newcomer to the Sabres organization. Dunne brings size and NHL experience to the Amerks, who will rely on him as an all-situations player.
Duds
Colton Poolman
Grade: D+
Production: C
Offense: F
Defense: C+
Special Teams: D-
Colton Poolman is also a new face in the Sabres organization. He’s one of the few players who didn’t consistently drive offense in Ottawa, grading out as the worst Buffalo player in the game. Poolman is an AHL veteran who should provide quality minutes, but Thursday just wasn’t his night.
Noah Laaouan
Grade: D+
Production: D+
Offense: D
Defense: C+
Special Teams: D-
Noah Laaouan was Poolman’s defense partner most of the night and posted similar results. He’s a little more active than Poolman offensively, but it’s no surprise to see a player on an AHL contract end up slightly outmatched. In his time since rookie camp, Laaouan has shown the ability to make flash plays and is one of those heart-and-soul players. Should he stick with Rochester, he’ll provide value that way.
Olivier Nadeau
Grade: C
Production: C+
Offense: D+
Defense: C
Special Teams: N/A
Olivier Nadeau was a standout player in the Sabres Prospects Challenge, but he has his shortcomings. Nadeau is a shooter who will go to the front of the net, but puck skills and driving play aren’t really part of his game. That showed against the Senators, as Nadeau and his line failed to produce a lot of offensive zone time and generate shots.
Still, the shot quality was above average, and Nadeau’s defense was solid. He also played the least amount of minutes of any Sabres forward, without any special teams work to help improve his grade.
Sabres Grades
Here’s how the entire Sabres lineup graded out versus the Senators on Thursday:
| POS | TEAM | LETTER GRADE | GRADE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Ostlund | C | BUF | A | 88.0% |
| Nikita Novikov | D | BUF | A | 85.2% |
| Josh Dunne | C | BUF | B+ | 76.1% |
| Zach Metsa | D | BUF | B+ | 74.8% |
| Isak Rosen | R | BUF | B+ | 69.6% |
| Viktor Neuchev | L | BUF | B | 68.1% |
| Konsta Helenius | C | BUF | B | 62.5% |
| Brett Murray | L | BUF | B | 61.8% |
| Vsevolod Komarov | D | BUF | B- | 60.4% |
| Anton Wahlberg | C | BUF | B- | 60.1% |
| Brendan Warren | L | BUF | B- | 57.2% |
| Tyler Tullio | R | BUF | B- | 55.9% |
| Mason Jobst | C | BUF | C+ | 53.7% |
| Jack Rathbone | D | BUF | C+ | 49.6% |
| Felix Sandstrom | G | BUF | C+ | 47.0% |
| Graham Slaggert | C | BUF | C | 41.4% |
| Olivier Nadeau | R | BUF | C | 38.8% |
| Noah Laaouan | D | BUF | D+ | 28.6% |
| Colton Poolman | D | BUF | D+ | 24.0% |
