Konsta Helenius (left) -- (Marc DesRosiers, USA TODAY Images)
The Buffalo Sabres are a team that's still a ways off from being a true Stanley Cup playoff frontrunner. However, in The Hockey News' 2025 Future Watch edition, writer Bill Hoppe broke down the talent that's in the Sabres' system. Below, you'll find our ranking of Buffalo's top-10 young prospects:
"The Wraparound"
BUFFALO SABRES
GRADE: B+
RANKING: 11TH
By Bill Hoppe
As he rebuilt the Sabres early in his tenure, GM Kevyn Adams refused to take any shortcuts and trade his top prospects for a quick fix. These days, Adams operates differently. The Sabres graduated to a new level in 2022-23, entering win-now mode when they missed the playoffs by one victory. As he illustrated in dealing Matt Savoie to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Ryan McLeod following last season’s disappointing 12th-place finish in the East, anyone could be in play. The Sabres need immediate help as Adams works to end the NHL-record 13-year playoff drought that hangs over the franchise.
FIVE-YEAR TREND
TOP SABRES PROSPECTS
C, 18, 5-11, 189
Rochester (AHL)
42–7–13–20–18
2024 draft, 14th overall
OVERALL: 15
Helenius arrived in Rochester this season as a polished youngster, having spent the past two years in Finland’s Liiga. “An all-around, good two-way center that’s probably benefited from playing with men in Europe because he’s not overwhelmed, and that’s pretty rare,” Adams said. Helenius put up huge numbers for a 17-year-old – 14 goals and 36 points in 51 games – with Jukurit last season. The Sabres want Helenius to play faster as he adapts to a different brand of hockey.
FUTURE WATCH 24 | new NHL | 2026-27
C, 20, 5-11, 171
Rochester (AHL)
27–5–9–14–12
2022 draft, 16th overall
OVERALL 60
Rochester coach Mike Leone said Ostlund, who’s in his first full season in the AHL, is as talented and detailed as anyone he has coached. In fact, he believes the Swede is perhaps the most responsible player in the defensive zone who has ever played under him. Ostlund possesses a maturity rarely seen in rookies. Still, it hasn’t translated into offense, with just five goals in his first 27 games this season. “If he learns how to finish, he’s going to be a really good player in the NHL,” Leone said.
FUTURE WATCH 24 | No. 2 NHL | 2025-26
C, 19, 6-4, 198
Rochester (AHL)
39–8–12–20–0
2023 draft, 39th overall
OVERALL 91
Wahlberg has quickly established himself as an aggressive and physical presence capable of parking himself around the net to score or disrupting plays by forechecking. “He has the ability to play with the top-line guys because he can see the ice and skate,” Leone said. “When he’s driving pucks to the net…he has an ability to protect pucks and extend plays in the O-zone because he doesn’t get hit and pinned a lot.” Leone wants Wahlberg to play with more urgency.
FUTURE WATCH 24 | No. 6 NHL | 2026-27
D, 18, 6-5, 210
Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
25–2–2–4–11
2024 draft, 42nd overall
OVERALL 97
When Adams watched Kleber at this year’s WJC, he noticed the youngster had taken “massive steps” over the last year. “He looks like a guy that is getting better and better with the puck,” Adams said. “He needs to work on his puck skills and work on his feet, but he has a big, long frame, and he handled himself really, really well at the world juniors.” Adams is also impressed with Kleber’s play in his first year at Minnesota-Duluth: “He’s done a really nice job in college as a true freshman.”
FUTURE WATCH 24 | new NHL | 2028-29
RW, 21, 6-0, 180
Rochester (AHL)
45–25–18–43–8
2021 draft, 14th overall
The exploits of Jiri Kulich and other recent first-round picks have overshadowed Rosen, who has morphed into one of the AHL’s top goal-scorers in his third season. “He’s attacking the game and getting to the middle of the rink,” Leone said. “He has the ability to strip guys because he’s tenacious on the puck. He’s not going to overpower you with physicality, but he can get there quick and use his stick.” Leone said Rosen’s wall play – winning battles and advancing pucks – will help him get back to the NHL.
FUTURE WATCH 24 | No. 4 NHL | 2025-26
G, 23, 6-0, 192
Rochester (AHL)
16–6–2, 2.36, .911
Trade (Fla), July 24, 2021
After early struggles in Buffalo, the agile Levi has become the Amerks’ backbone.
D, 21, 6-4, 208 Rochester (AHL)
45–2–10–12–69
2022 draft, 134th overall
Seeing about 18 minutes a game in AHL. Has offensive skills but also plays physically.
D, 19, 6-2, 200
Michigan State (Big Ten)
26–1–14–15–16
2023 draft, 45th overall
Adams said the Slovak teen projects to be a hardnosed two-way defender.
RW, 19, 5-11, 190
Minnesota (Big Ten)
30–11–8–19–21
2024 draft, 71st overall
Ziemer is an intelligent, reliable player who’s a “coach’s dream,” according to Adams.
D, 23, 6-1, 195
Rochester (AHL)
43–0–7–7–26
2019 draft, 31st overall
Leone said the puck-mover has been perhaps the Amerks’ most consistent player.
21-AND-UNDER NHLERS | ZACH BENSON, LW, 19; JIRI KULICH, C, 20
