Which Sabres’ 2022 First Rounder Makes the Team in 2024-25?

The Buffalo Sabres are in a very tough situation where they essentially need to win out the remainder of the season, while simultaneously needing about four other teams to lose more than half their games, in order to make the playoffs. With the odds being so slim, combined with this team’s poor track record this season, the likelihood of that is nearly impossible. With that being said, the Sabres need to start assessing their prospect pool, starting with their trio of first-round picks in 2022. While assessing them, a decision needs to be made on which of them should get an NHL roster position, which should end up in Rochester, and which can be used as a trade chip to improve the team.

The likelihood of all three making the Sabres roster is slim to none since so many young core players are already locked into long-term contracts, so that leaves only one real spot available since 2023 first-round selection Zach Benson has played so well. So the question is, which one plays, which other one stays, and which one gets moved? Between Matt Savoie, Noah Ostlund, and Jiri Kulich, the decision will be tough, so I will weigh the options one at a time.

Matthew Savoie, Center

Savoie has had an interesting start to his career, as he came into this season injured from the prospect tournament held by the Sabres prior to the preseason. Once he was healthy enough to return, he was sent to the Rochester Americans for a conditioning stint where he put up five points in six games. He was then called up to the NHL to play in his first NHL game, but that night was squandered by a lack of ice time, as he was limited to a measly four minutes in the entire game before being subsequently sent down to the Western Hockey League (WHL) the next day. With a limited debut, and a lot left in the tank to show, Savoie has been on the warpath since being sent back to juniors as he has posted a ridiculous 29 goals and 67 points in only 33 games. He has shown without a shadow of a doubt that he is ready for the next step, and that makes him one of the best contenders to be a full-time NHLer next season.

Savoie was the highest pick of the three being selected ninth overall, so it makes sense that he would appear to be the most NHL-ready. Some might say that his size (5-foot-9) is a limitation, but as the NHL continues to grow and show that smaller players are still supremely impactful, he is poised to be yet another example. Should the…