Combine Takeaways | Hamburg native Musty takes step toward NHL dream

Quentin Musty grew up going to Buffalo Sabres games with friends and family, dreaming of playing in the National Hockey League one day.

On Saturday, the Hamburg native came one step closer to achieving his lifelong dream as he joined 100 of his fellow top draft-eligible prospects for fitness testing on the final day of the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine at LECOM Harborcenter.

"Just being from here, I had season tickets growing up," Musty said. "It's great to be back in this building where I started my hockey career.

"…It's been my dream to play in the NHL, and this is a step towards that."

The experience has brought back memories for Musty of being at Sabres games and watching his childhood team clinch the playoffs.

"Those are just kind of the greatest memories of when Buffalo is really going. It gets full," Musty said. "You kind of saw it this year with their fans and stuff coming back. They have an exciting team and it's a great place to be a fan of and watch a game."

The former Buffalo Jr. Sabres player has developed into a highly skilled winger and is projected to go in the first round of the draft, which will be held on June 28 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

After recording 26 goals and 78 points in 53 games this season for the Sudbury Wolves (OHL), Musty's talent has also been recognized by other prospects, including defenseman Gavin McCarthy. McCarthy, a product of Clarence Center, was teammates with Musty on the Jr. Sabres.

"I've gotten to know him on and off the ice and kind of battle with him in practice over the years," McCarthy said. "…We've had our fair share of battles, and I've gotten to know him pretty well and how he plays. He's obviously super talented and will go high in the draft for a reason."

Here are more notes from testing day at the Combine.

Neighborhood ties

McCarthy also shared that he lives in the same neighborhood as general manager Kevyn Adams, which made for a more comfortable interview on his end.

"I know him well. I've known him since I was like 10," McCarthy said. "I think it's kind of a comfortable feeling there for sure, but at the same time, it's still an NHL interview and you have to take seriously."

McCarthy is committed to Boston University, joining his older brother Case, the captain of the Terriors for the 2023-24 season.

Learning from Dahlin

Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin is coming off of his most productive season offensively, tallying 15 goals and 58 assists in 78 games.

Swedish defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka said he tries to model his game after Dahlin, who has garnered further attention from fans in Sweden.

"He's always been an exceptional talent," Sandin Pellikka said.

"I know when he was my age for Frolunda, he pretty much tore up the SHL and just did whatever he wanted. He's a terrific player and it's fun to watch him. He's very skilled and, offensively, he's also one guy I look up to and try to steal some moves from."

Friendly competition

Forward Brayden Yager expressed what it was like going up against Sabres prospect Matt Savoie in the WHL playoffs this season.

"…He's super strong and he's really good on the faceoffs too," Yager said.

Working with the same faceoff coach as Savoie, Yager has received tips on going up against him, which makes it more fun for him each time they face off. Yager also looks forward to the challenge of defending a fast skater like Savoie.

"He's, like I said, one of the fastest guys in the league. So, if you can kind of stay above him and have a pretty good gap, I think for the most part you'll be fine."

Growth spurts

During his media availability on Friday, NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr compared University of Connecticut's Matthew Wood to Sabres forward Tage Thompson.

"We just started to see a lot of similarities to Tage Thompson here," Marr said. "A bigger guy who might take a little longer to get to his true top form, but the package is there, and the player is there."

Wood has looked up Thompson to as he learns to adjust to his size.

"He's obviously been through a lot of adversity and that show a lot," Wood said. "Credit to him for his character and being able to push through and develop and earn it. He's obviously a great role model and a great person and somebody I really look up to."

Fitness testing

The prospects debated which fitness test was the most difficult. To check out the results from the physical testing portion of the day, click here.