It's been about a year since we've ranked the prospects in the Sabres system, the previous ranking can be found here: http://new.brhl.net/article/view/823.

I'll be sticking to BRHL pro games played for graduation for the prospect list, this keeps someone like Dawson Mercer or Jamie Drysdale on this list even though they are now NHL regulars. I also wanted to do something a little bit different than just doing a straight up top 10, so this years ranking will be by position.

I'm not gonna ramble forever, let's just get straight to it.

Centers:

1. Alex Turcotte 5'11" 185 lbs - Ontario Reign (AHL)

2. Thomas Bordeleau 5'10" 174 lbs - San Jose Sharks (NHL)

3. Joseph Veleno 6'1" 205 lbs - Detriot Red Wings (NHL)

4. Jack McBain 6'4" 212 lbs - Arizona Coyotes (NHL) 

5. Nikita Alexandrov 6'1" 176 lbs - Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL)

Turcotte remains the top center prospect in the Sabres system. He's struggled to stay healthy due to his reckless style of play, but that high motor and willingness to engage is also what sets him aside from the rest of the pack. His 0.67 PPG in the AHL wasn't bad but will need to see improvement there if a top 6 role in the NHL is in his future. I suspect the next 3 on this list will all be NHL regulars next season. Bordeleau already looks way too good for the AHL and could end up the Sharks #2 center next season. Veleno & McBain are a step below, but have shown they belong in the NHL. Alexandrov I don't think gets talked about very often but is a guy who has shown he can play a variety of roles and is well on the Blues radar.

HM: Massimo Rizzo, Alexander Khovanov

Left Wing:

1. Ridly Greig 6'0" 174 lbs - Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

2. John Beecher 6'3" 209 lbs - Providence Bruins (AHL)

3. Jonathan Dahlen 5'11" 181 lbs - San Jose Sharks (NHL)

4. Drew O'Connor 6'3" 190 lbs - Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL)

5. Josiah Slavin 6'3" 190 lbs - Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

Greig tops the list of LW prospects on the back of his 1.62PPG season in the WHL, good for 3rd in the league. Brandon was a mess without him. Beecher struggled for icetime on a loaded Michigan team, but he showed good promise in his AHL stint after signing with the Bruins. During the NCAA playoffs which were held in Boston, the Bruins told him to "pick his stall" which is a good vote of confidence in the kid. Dahlen had a tremendous first half of the year but really cooled off in the last half. Rumours have him possibly returning to Sweden next year but San Jose has gone on record saying they'd like to have him back. O'Connor & Slavin both saw time in the NHL this past season and will be looking to earn roster spots out of camp next year.

HM: Ethan Keppen, Nicolas Porco

Right Wing:

1. Dawson Mercer 6'0" 179 lbs - New Jersey Devils (NHL)

2. Martin Chromiak 6'0" 187 lbs - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

3. Kole Lind 6'1" 179 lbs - Charlotte Checkers (AHL)

4. Robert Mastrosimone 5'10" 179 lbs - Boston University (NCAA)

5. Graeme Clarke 6'0" 174 lbs - Utica Comets (AHL)

Mercer surprised by making the Devils out of camp last year and made the most of his opportunity. He mainly played RW but also lined up at center filling in for injuries and didn't look out of place doing it. I heard the Devils view him as more of a center so he may end up the 3C in NJ going forward. Chromiak looked real good in camp with the Kings last year and put up good numbers with Kingston this year. There is a pretty big drop off at 3 on this list starting with Kole Lind, he appears to have limited offensive upside but does possess a good enough defensive game to stick in a bottom 6. Mastrosimone is listed as a C/LW but he can play every forward position and did line up at RW often in the NCAA. Clarke is a long shot, but if he can stay healthy he might have a shot to make it.

HM: Matthew Phillips

Defence:

1. Jamie Drysdale 5'11" 174 lbs - Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

2. Zachary Jones 5'10" 172 lbs - Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

3. Henry Thrun 6'2" 190 lbs - Harvard University (NCAA)

4. Lassi Thomson 6'0" 192 lbs - Belleville Senators (AHL)

5. Jack Thompson 6'1" 185 lbs - Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

Drysdale would be considered graduated as a prospect in the NHL, but here he has yet to make his pro debut so he remains on top of the prospect heap in Buffalo. Behind him we have Zac Jones, who got a cup of coffee and at times looked like the best Ranger Dman out there. Thrun was just acquired this off-season, he's got size and offensive instincts and will captain Harvard next year. Lassi also got a cup of coffee due to the amount of players in covid protocol and showed signs he has NHL upside still. Jack Thompson started the year on fire in the OHL but settled in just under a PPG and showed the same offensive instincts after being traded to the Soo. 

HM: Mattias Norlinder, Ian Mitchell, Hunter Skinner

Goaltenders:

1. Strauss Mann 6'0" 174 lbs - Skelleftea AIK (SHL)

2. Hugo Ollas 6'8" 235 lbs - Merrimack College (NCAA)

I'm only going to list the two goalies here. It's not that I feel the others aren't capable goalies, but ranking them is a tough chore as none are homerun can't miss prospects. That said, I do feel Strauss Mann is the top goalie in the system based on his play in the SHL and even in the world championships this year. He'll likely have the net in the AHL for the Sharks and does have a path to the NHL in sight. Ollas is not in the same position as Mann, he has some pretty talented goalies in his way in NY with the Rangers. But Hugo's size and calmness in net are very intriguing assets to have.

HM: Hunter Jones, Jacob Ingham

Thanks for reading and see you at the draft!