With the 2019-2020 season well underway, it's time to rank the top prospects in the Sabres system. We haven't put out a prospect ranking article in about a year, so this is long overdue. There will be plenty of changes as there is a full season and a draft between the two rankings. Last year Gabe Vilardi headlined the list, he's still on our list but there is a new #1 prospect in Buffalo's system.

*All stats accurate as of Nov 12/19

1. Evan Bouchard RHD 6'3" 194 lbs - Bakersfield Condors (AHL)

Stats: 13GP - 3G - 4A - 7P - 8PIM - -4

A lot of people, myself included, expected Bouchard to grab a roster spot with Edmonton out of camp this year. The fact he didn't earn the spot isn't terrible for his development though, he'll get a better opportunity in the AHL to get top pairing minutes and time on the teams top PP as the QB.

Acquired: 11th overall 2019 draft

Expectation: #2 Dman, top PP QB. Will need a season on the farm when he gets to the BRHL. Needs to work on play in his own end to reach potential.

2. Gabriel Vilardi C/RW 6'3" 201 lbs - Ontario Reign (AHL)

Stats: N/A

Vilardi has struggled with back issues since his serious back injury and has only played 4 AHL games over the last year and a bit. This is definately concerning but the news that he was cleared to practice yesterday is a good sign. He's still far away from playing in games but he is progressing. What to expect when he is healthy is a bit of a question mark, but the hockey IQ and skill is there to keep him high on our list.

Acquired: 8th overall 2018 draft

Expectation: Top 6 playmaking C. BRHL debut could be as early as next season, but could struggle getting minutes on the farm. Currently just trying to get healthy.

3. Joseph Veleno C 6'1" 194 lbs - Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Stats: 15GP - 3A - 1A - 4P - 6PIM - -14

Veleno was granted exceptional status in the QMJHL but was often injured and left people wanting more. He ended up slipping in the NHL draft before exploding offensively on a strong team, putting up 42 goals and 105 points. He's had a slow start to his pro career and rumours are swurling that he could be lent to Team Canada at the world juniors this year.

Acquired: 19th overall 2018 draft

Expectation: Middle 6 two-way C. He's expected to be on the farm team next season but could have quite a few young players to climb over.

4. Alexander Khovanov C 5'11" 198 lbs - Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

Stats: 16GP - 14G - 20A - 34P - 29PIM - +20

If Khovanov wasn't injured in his draft year, it wouldn't be a shock if he went in round 1. He's definately a first round talent, he controls the pace of games and likes playing with the puck on his stick. His skating has been a knock on him but that hasn't seemed to slow him down as he's on fire currently in the QMJHL.

Acquired: 80th overall 2019 draft

Expectation: Top 9 C. Wouldn't be shocked if he makes it to a #2C, will be joining a Minnesota team in need of a rebuild.

5. Jesse Ylonen RW 6'1" 172 lbs - Pelicans (Liiga)

Stats: 18GP - 4G - 6A - 10P - 4PIM - -3

The Sabres reached on Ylonen on draft day, time will tell if this gamble will pay off. He's currently 5th in team scoring on a terrible Pelicans team playing against men in Finland. His best assets are his skating and his puck handling. He's not small but he's a slight player who can get away with it on the big ice, so he'll need to adapt to the smaller NA ice size.

Acquired: 23rd overall 2019 draft

Expectation: Middle 6 offensive RW. Rumoured to be making his way over to NA next season, so BRHL debut could be two seasons away.

6. Dennis Cholowski LHD 6'0" 194 lbs - Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

Stats: 17GP - 2G - 4A - 6P - 4PIM - -10

Cholowski has yet to play a BRHL pro game, so this will qualify him as a prospect. He made the Wings out of camp last season due in large part to injuries and quickly fell out of the coaches favor when those players returned. It looks like this year they can't ignore the offense he brings to the table and should be solitified on the pro team.

Acquired: 16th overall 2017 draft

Expectation: 4th/5th offensive Dman. Should be a lock to make the rebuilding Sabres next season, in a limited role.

7. Kale Clague LHD 6'0" 176 lbs - Ontario Reign (AHL)

Stats: 14GP - 2G - 4A - 6P - 8PIM - +3

It seems like forever ago I was talking about this kids great offensive numbers in the WHL, but he's now in his second pro season. His offensive numbers have improved so far in this young season and he's been reliable defensively so far too. He's kept an active stick in his own zone and makes good outlet passes. He'll need to continue to put on muscle to not look out of place in the NHL.

Acquired: 42nd overall 2017 draft

Expectations: 2nd/3rd pair two-way Dman. He was viewed as an offensive Dman but he's been sacrificing offensive production for defensive reliability. Should compete for a pro spot next year.

8. Michael McLeod C/W 6'2" 188 lbs - Binghamton Devils (AHL)

Stats: 15GP - 3G - 4A - 7P - 25PIM - +2

I tried to make the "safe" pick back in 2017 on McLeod, which left some good prospects on the table. While McLeod is by no means a bust, he's not giving anyone any reason to look at him as a future top 6 player. Really, drafting a guy with #3C upside outside the top 10 picks isn't terrible. He's a speedy center who can also play both wings, defensively responsible and has a good shot he needs to use more.

Acquired: 12th overall 2017 draft

Expectation: Bottom 6 two-way C/W. There still is a chance he finds his offensive game, but it's not expected.

9. Kole Lind RW 6'1" 179 lbs - Utica Comets (AHL)

Stats: 14GP - 3G - 7A - 10P - 14PIM - 0

Lind had a terrible first pro season on a terrible Comets team. He was often injured and struggled to find a role on the team. This year he's found his groove and is off to a hot start. He's got good size, sees the ice well, and is versitile enough to be able to play any forward position in any role given. Needs to continue to get stronger so he's not a push over in the corners.

Acquired: 38th overall 2018 draft

Expectation: Bottom 6 two-way RW. He does have 2nd line upside, but that's not expected.

10. Jonathan Gruden LW 6'0" 170 lbs - London Knights (OHL)

Stats: 16GP - 7G - 13A - 20P - 7PIM - +14

If the name sounds familiar, he's the son of NYI assistant coach John Gruden. He played well in his first NCAA season with Miami and has looked really good so far after switching to the OHL in the off-season. I had big expectations for Gruden joining the Knights, and being 2nd in team scoring is a good showing.

Acquired: 93rd overall 2019 draft

Expectation: Middle 6 LW. Gruden's work ethic and skill should be a good combo to get him to his full potential.

11. Joachim Blichfeld W 6'2" 187 lbs - San Jose Barracuda (AHL)

Stats: 10GP - 4G - 3A - 7P - 4PIM - +5

There were some who questioned the Sharks sending Blichfeld back to the WHL for a 3rd season, but it doesn't appear to have hindered his development. He was awarded with WHL player of the year last season on the back of a 53 goal 114 point performance. The big Dane has an NHL calibre shot already and is off to a good start to his pro career.

Acquired: Trade - To Ottawa Senators: Cal Clutterbuck / To Buffalo Sabres: Jaycob Megna & Joachim Blichfeld

Expectation: Top 6 scoring winger. He'll be making his pro debut next year in the BRHL but will need seasoning on the farm team.

12. Matthew Phillips C/RW 5'7" 154 lbs - Stockton Heat (AHL)

Stats: 13GP - 5G - 10A - 15P - 2PIM - -1

Size is become less of a concern these days in the NHL, which is good for the diminutive Phillips. He did nothing but produce in the WHL going at atleast a PPG clip in every season. Don't expect a small soft player either, he's not afraid to go into the dirty areas, take a hit to make the play, and dig in the corners against much bigger opponents.

Acquired: 102nd overall 2017 draft

Expectation: Middle 6 RW. Phillips can drive the play on a line and probably isn't too far away from an NHL debut.

13. Allan McShane C 5'11" 190 lbs - Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Stats: 18GP - 5G - 15A - 20P - 2PIM - -4

We've seen multiple versions of McShane over his OHL career so far. When he broke into the OHL he showed off a goal scorers touch. Then in his draft year he showed off a good passing game, finding good chemistry with his linemates. And last year he posted nearly as many goals as assists. Which version will we see when he turns pro next year isn't yet known, he's throwing more curveballs into the mix this year.

Acquired: 92nd overall 2019 draft

Expectation: Bottom 6 playmaking C. He has #2C upside, but he's a hard player to gauge. Will be 2 years away from a BRHL debut.

14. Patrick Harper C/W 5'7" 150 lbs - Boston University (NCAA)

Stats: 7GP - 4G - 9A - 13P - 2PIM - +8

Another small skill player, Harper was named captain of the Terriers this season and is looking to rebound from an injury plagued sophmore year and an off junior year that saw him drop below a PPG. So far so good as he's currently tied for 10th in NCAA scoring this year. His best asset is his high hockey IQ and edge work when skating with the puck. He'll obviously need to add some bulk to his slight frame.

Acquired: Trade - To Ottawa Senators: Alec Martinez / To Buffalo Sabres: Patrick Harper & Ott 6th 2019 (Josiah Slavin)

Ecxpectation: Top 6 playmaker or bust. Should be able to play AHL after his NCAA year, but has opportunity to sign elsewhere if he chooses.

15. Nicolas Roy C 6'4" 207 lbs - Chicago Wolves (AHL)

Stats: 7GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 8PIM - -5

The big center has been called up and down this year due to injuries and Vegas's cap situation. It's not ideal to be jumping around for a developing player but he hasn't looked out of place in the NHL. Roy actually has more points in less games in the NHL this year than in the AHL. Roy has good vision on the ice and makes some spectacular passes, he'll need to work on his shot release to be a more dangerous player going forward.

Acquired: Trade - To Calgary Flames: Nick Bjugstad / To Buffalo Sabres: Nicolas Roy & Cal 6th 2020

Honourable Mentions:

Arttu Ruotsalainen LW 5'8" 181 lbs - Ilves (Liiga)

Filip Chlapik C 6'1" 196 lbs - Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Jonathan Dahlen LW 5'11" 181 lbs - Timra IK (Allsvenskan)