Gone are the days of accumulating draft picks and young players for the Buffalo Sabres organization. These days the team is trying to make the playoffs and fill out the roster with established supporting players. This means shipping out young players and draft picks to stay competitive here and now. The good news is there are still some intriguing players remaining in the system and today we will take a look into who is still on the horizon.

1. Liam Öhgren (LW)

• Height/Weight: 6'1", 201 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Öhgren split his time between the NHL and AHL. In 19 NHL games with Minnesota, he recorded 1 goal and 4 points. In the AHL with Iowa, he tallied 12 goals and 23 points in 25 games.​

• Strengths: Strong skating, offensive instincts, and adaptability.​

• Weaknesses: Needs to improve consistency at the NHL level.​

• Grade: B+​

• 2025–26 Projection: Potential to secure a full-time NHL role​

2. Joakim Kemell (RW)

• Height/Weight: 5'11", 182 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Kemell played 38 games in the AHL with Milwaukee, posting 9 goals and 25 points. He was recalled to the NHL and made his debut with Nashville.​

• Strengths: Elite shot, offensive creativity, and high hockey IQ.​

• Weaknesses: Defensive play and physicality need refinement.​

• Grade: A-​

• 2025–26 Projection: Full-time NHL role

3. Alex Turcotte (C)

• Height/Weight: 5'11", 185 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Turcotte appeared in 26 NHL games, recording 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points.​

• Strengths: Playmaking abilities and two-way play.​

• Weaknesses: Injury history and consistency.​

• Grade: B​

• 2025–26 Projection: Potential for 25–30 points if healthy.​

4. Carter Mazur (LW)

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 173 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Mazur contributed consistently on both ends of the ice, earning recognition for his two-way play.​

• Strengths: High motor, defensive responsibility, and offensive upside.​

• Weaknesses: Needs to improve puck handling under pressure.​

• Grade: B​

• 2025–26 Projection: Potential for 20–25 points in a bottom-six NHL role.​

5. Martin Chromiak (RW)

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 187 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Chromiak's offensive production remained steady, and he took on a leadership role within his team.​

• Strengths: Goal-scoring ability and leadership qualities.​

• Weaknesses: Defensive play and physical engagement.​

• Grade: B-​

• 2025–26 Projection: Potential for 15–20 points in a depth NHL role.​

6. Jorian Donovan (LHD)

• Height/Weight: 6'1", 190 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Donovan showcased his defensive reliability and contributed offensively, solidifying his status as a promising blueliner.​

• Strengths: Defensive positioning and puck-moving abilities.​

• Weaknesses: Physicality and offensive consistency.​

• Grade: B​

• 2025–26 Projection: Continued development in the AHL with potential NHL call-ups.​

7. Trent Miner (G)

• Height/Weight: 6'1", 185 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Miner posted impressive numbers in the AHL, with a 2.07 GAA and .921 SV% over 36 games.​

• Strengths: Composure, rebound control, and consistency.​

• Weaknesses: Limited NHL experience.​

• Grade: A​

• 2025–26 Projection: Potential NHL backup with 15–20 starts.​

8. David Spacek (RHD)

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 190 lbs​

• 2024–25 Season: Spacek demonstrated strong puck-moving abilities and defensive awareness, contributing to his team's success.​

• Strengths: Transition game and hockey IQ.​

• Weaknesses: Physical play and strength.​

• Grade: B​

• 2025–26 Projection: Continued development in the AHL with potential NHL appearances.

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  9. Amadeus Lombardi (C)

  • Height/Weight: 5'10", 165 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Lombardi had a productive AHL season with Grand Rapids, showcasing his offensive instincts and speed. He finished the season with 18 goals and 45 points in 68 games.

  • Strengths: Agile skater, great puck control, and high offensive awareness.

  • Weaknesses: Undersized for NHL centers, needs to bulk up and improve faceoff efficiency.

  • Grade: B+

  • 2025–26 Projection: Should push for an NHL depth role; projected 20–25 points if he cracks the lineup.

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  10. Jack Thompson (RHD)

  • Height/Weight: 6'1", 185 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Thompson was solid in the AHL with Syracuse, recording 6 goals and 24 assists (30 points) over 70 games, while logging top-four minutes and special teams time.

  • Strengths: Offensive instincts, strong first pass, reliable on the power play.

  • Weaknesses: Lateral foot speed and decision-making under pressure.

  • Grade: B

  • 2025–26 Projection: Could be an NHL 3rd-pair D; 20–25 points in a sheltered role.

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  11. Cam Allen (RHD)

  • Height/Weight: 6'0", 190 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Allen rebounded after a difficult draft-eligible year, posting 35 points in 58 games with the Guelph Storm (OHL), while improving his defensive play.

  • Strengths: Physicality, shot from the point, leadership traits.

  • Weaknesses: Still working on puck decision-making and discipline.

  • Grade: B

  • 2025–26 Projection: One more OHL or AHL year; NHL arrival in 2026–27.

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  12. Aaron Poink (LHD)

  • Height/Weight: 6'2", 200 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Poink had a steady year in the NCAA, anchoring his team’s top pair and chipping in 22 points in 36 games while playing tough minutes.

  • Strengths: Size, physical play, defensive zone awareness.

  • Weaknesses: Limited offensive upside and breakout ability.

  • Grade: B-

  • 2025–26 Projection: One more year of NCAA; NHL projection is as a 3rd-pair shutdown guy.

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  13. Thomas Bordeleau (C/LW)

  • Height/Weight: 5'10", 175 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Split time between the NHL and AHL. In the AHL, he scored 38 points in 52 games; he struggled to earn consistent NHL time but had a short stint.

  • Strengths: Playmaker, great hands, and vision in the offensive zone.

  • Weaknesses: Defensive consistency, gets pushed around in tight areas.

  • Grade: C+

  • 2025–26 Projection: Fringe NHLer; 15–20 points if he sticks on a bottom-six line.

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  14. Ivan Ivan (C/W)

  • Height/Weight: 5'11", 185 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Ivan put up a quietly strong season in the AHL, producing 40 points in 66 games. He played up and down the lineup, showing good versatility.

  • Strengths: Versatility, work ethic, and sneaky offensive upside.

  • Weaknesses: Average tools; may lack one standout skill to lock down an NHL spot.

  • Grade: B

  • 2025–26 Projection: Dark horse for a call-up; could produce 10–15 points as an NHL depth forward.

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  15. Henry Thrun (LHD)

  • Height/Weight: 6'2", 190 lbs

  • 2024–25 Season: Played 4 NHL games, but spent most of the year in the AHL with Calgary’s affiliate, putting up 26 points in 63 games. Looked more comfortable in a top-four role.

  • Strengths: Smart, calm under pressure, poised with the puck.

  • Weaknesses: Lacks elite speed or offensive flash; safe but unspectacular.

  • Grade: B

  • 2025–26 Projection: Likely NHL-ready as a third-pair LHD; projected 15–20 points.

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  Honorable Mentions

  Xavier Parent (C/W)

  • 2024–25 Season: Struggled to maintain AHL consistency; 21 points in 58 games.

  • Grade: C

  • Projection: Long shot for NHL time; may cap out as AHL top-sixer.

  Travis Mitchell (LHD)

  • 2024–25 Season: Defensive standout in the ECHL with brief AHL call-up.

  • Grade: C-

  • Projection: Depth organizational piece; NHL unlikely.

  Cedrick Guindon (C)

  • 2024–25 Season: 60 points in 62 OHL games; showed strong growth.

  • Grade: B+

  • Projection: NCAA-bound next season

  Francesco Arcuri (C/W)

  • 2024–25 Season: 48 points in 66 AHL games; consistent and versatile.

  • Grade: B

  • Projection: Fringe NHL call-up option; potential 4th liner.

  Massimo Rizzo (C)

  • 2024–25 Season: Solid NCAA season; 33 points in 34 games.

  • Grade: B

  • Projection: Development project. Depth AHL role

  Ethan Hay (C)

  • 2024–25 Season: Defensive specialist in OHL; limited offensive output.

  • Grade: C

  • Projection: Depth AHL role in future.

  David Klee (C/W)

  • 2024–25 Season: Showed flashes in junior; 35 points in 60 games.

  • Grade: C+

  • Projection: Development project