Levi shows veteran poise; Savoie, Kulich will vie for NHL roster spot
ByHeather Engel
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Buffalo Sabres, according to NHL.com.
Levi (6-foot, 184 pounds) for the second straight season led NCAA goalies in save percentage and won the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in men's college hockey, becoming the first two-time winner in history.
The 21-year-old joined the Sabres near the end of last season and showed the poise of a veteran during their push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"His foundation of his game is tremendous," general manager Kevyn Adams said. "His athleticism's tremendous. His mindset's tremendous. … No stage is too big for him. He thrives in this environment."
How acquired: Selected with No. 9 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Winnipeg (WHL): 62 GP, 38-57-95
Savoie (5-9, 179) set a career high and finished tied for sixth in the Western Hockey League in points and tied for second in the playoffs with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 19 games. He joined Rochester of the American Hockey League after his junior season ended, playing two Calder Cup Playoff games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 19-year-old got an extended look in training camp last season and will be in the mix of several young players looking to make the roster this season. If not, he'll head back to the WHL.
"If someone comes in and kicks the door open and just absolutely belongs on our team and is going to help us win hockey games, we're going to find a way to make room," Adams said.
Projected NHL arrival:2024-25
3. Jiri Kulich, F
How acquired:Selected with No. 28 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Rochester (AHL): 62 GP, 24-22-46
Kulich (5-11, 172) will be among those vying for the open roster spot in place of injured forward Jack Quinn. The 19-year-old played for Czechia in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship (nine points; seven goals, two assists in seven games) and had 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 12 playoff games for Rochester.
"Did I anticipate him being good? Yes," Rochester coach Seth Appert said. "Look at his second half of the season, look at the numbers he put up, how well he's played since World Juniors as his game has grown, as his habits have grown. The bright lights don't scare him. Not at all."
How acquired:Selected with No. 13 pick in 2023 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Winnipeg (WHL): 60 GP, 36-62-98
Benson (5-9, 163) is the latest addition of high-end skill to the Sabres' burgeoning prospect pool, bringing a relentless motor and strong two-way game to match. The 18-year-old finished third WHL scoring and had 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in the playoffs.
"He's a special hockey player," Adams said. "He's intelligent, he's extremely diligent on both sides of the puck. … We felt like this player has the upside that often you don't get at that spot at the draft."
How acquired: Selected with No. 14 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Rochester (AHL): 66 GP, 14-23-37
The 20-year-old improved over the course of his first season in North America. His confidence grew with six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games) for Sweden at World Juniors and 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 41 games for Rochester in the second half of last season.
Rosen (5-11, 156) will likely return to the AHL this season.
