With 2021 coming to a close shortly, let's take a look at who's trending in which direction. Here is a look at the BRHL Buffalo Sabres risers & fallers this season in the NHL:

Risers:

Ivan Barbashev C/W – 31GP – 11G – 14A – 25P - +4 – 16PIM

Barbashev started the season as the Blues 4^th line LW but has worked his way up into the teams top 6, playing their last game against Winnipeg as the teams 2^nd line center. He’s already doubled last seasons assist total and has more than doubled his goal and point totals. He’s been getting reps on the teams top PP unit and is even killing penalties. Look for his ratings to make a jump next season.

Jonathan Drouin LW – 25GP – 5G – 11A – 16P - -6 – 8PIM

When Drouin stepped away last season he was having an abysmal year scoring only 2 goals and 23 points through 50 games. Nobody knew if he would even come back to play let alone be an effective top 6 player again, but stepping away to work on mental health issues has Jonathan reinvigorated. 13 of his 16 points this season have come at even strength, so he still needs to up his game on the PP.

Evan Bouchard RHD – 29GP – 5G – 13A – 18P - +8 – 10PIM

I’m still not really sure why Edmonton used Bouchard so sparingly last season, when he did play he looked like one of Edmonton’s better defencemen. This season he’s over 21 minutes per game and is Edmonton’s best defenceman…okay, maybe that’s a stretch but you get the gist. The puck moving is elite, the vision is elite, the shot is elite. The skating issues don’t seem to be holding him back, he doesn’t play the type of game that requires blazing speed.

Massimo Rizzo C – 16GP – 9G – 12A – 21P - +12 – 20PIM

Rizzo didn’t play last season, so maybe this is just me pimping my late pick here. The offensive talent was noticeable when he was over a PPG two straight seasons in the BCHL, but even with that I don’t think he was expected to take off this year like he has with Denver in the NCAA. He’s second on the team in scoring behind standout Carter Savoie and looking like another steal of a pick for Carolina in the NHL.

Fallers:

Gabriel Vilardi C/RW – 7GP – 1G – 0A – 1P - -4 – 4PIM

Vilardi started the year as the Kings 4^th line C, maybe not the best role for him but he didn’t show much that suggested he should be playing higher in the lineup. After 7 mediocre games he was sent down to the AHL where he looks to be getting his game back on track. Unfortunately he has some pretty talented players coming up at the center position. He may need to move over to the wing to get better minutes with the Kings when/if he gets recalled.

Ty Smith LHD – 25GP – 1G – 7A – 8P - -12 – 4PIM

Last year was a good rookie season for Smith, he didn’t light the league on fire by any means but was seeing 20 minutes a game and providing steady defense on a pretty bad NJ team. This season he missed the first few games with an injury and took time to re-adjust. He’s been looking better and better as the season drags on so hopefully he’s still not on the “fallers” list by seasons end.

Carey Price G – HAS NOT PLAYED

The big signing for the Sabres this off-season was Price, signed to a big 5 year deal in the hopes he could carry over last seasons playoff success into this season. Well instead he shocked the hockey world by announcing he was enrolling himself in the NHL’s substance abuse program. It might be a blessing that he stays away from the tire fire happening in Montreal this season. It’s been hinted he might return to the lineup in 2022 but time will tell.

Arttu Ruotsalainen C/W – 16GP – 2G – 2A – 4P – -1 – 6PIM

Ruotsalainen looked really good last season, earning a call-up to the Sabres after putting up 13 points in 13 games in the AHL. This season I had expected him to land on the wing in Buffalo’s top 9, but instead he was getting 10 minutes a night as the 4^th line center. Not an ideal role for the scoring winger. This year as well he’s stuck behind some veteran AHLers and playing in a bottom 6 role in the AHL.

Honourable mentions (risers):

Drew O'Connor - Looks to be full time with the Pens

Josiah Slavin - Making the most of his call-up, trying to stick

Jonathan Dahlen - emerged as a top 6 player this year

Honourable mentions (fallers):

Dennis Cholowski - Running out of time to be an NHLer

John Beecher - Stuck behind some talented players in Michigan

Mattias Norlinder - Finally returned to SHL after doing a lot of sitting around in NA.