1. Biro had played 15 games with the Amerks in 2020-21, though that season was dramatically shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year was the first full pro season for the forward, who signed with the Sabres as an undrafted free agent in 2020 after four years at Penn State.
Biro caught fire early, tallying 36 points (9+27) in 39 games to begin the season. His production earned him a look with the Sabres in Montreal in February, but he was injured in his very next game with Rochester. He did not return until mid-April.
Still, the season provided Biro with experience that is proving valuable in his third camp.
"I think it was just getting used to the speed and kind of getting the flow," he said. "I dealt with some injuries a little bit the last two years, so kind of once I got my footing under me and played a good stretch of games, kind of got a bit more used to it and felt more confident. I was able to kind of play my game and do what I've always done."
In Granato's words, that includes playing with persistence and intelligence.
"He works well with people around him," Granato said. "He has really, really good vision on the ice. And a couple of goals were very nice goals, obviously, nice shots."
2. Biro returned to the Amerks on April 13. Rousek followed a few weeks later, making his AHL debut on May 4 after missing most of his rookie season with a knee injury.
He still managed to make a splash, tallying six points (2+4) in 10 games during Rochester's playoff run. The 23-year-old has continued to impress early in camp, having strung together a productive three games in the Prospects Challenge followed by his assist on Tuesday.
"He's very intelligent as a player with many respects, but situational awareness, he's efficient and effective," Granato said. "If he needs to block a shot, he reads it. If you need a good stick, good angle, he reads it if a guy's open after he steals the puck.
"So, he's got a knack and a feel for the game combined with a competitiveness that just keep him in it. And he makes the job easier for other guys, for linemates. A lot of detail in his game."
3. Biro joined the Sabres as an undrafted free agent. Rousek was a sixth-round pick in 2019. The third player mentioned up top, Weissbach, was drafted during the seventh round in 2017.
Weissbach played four years at the University of Wisconsin before joining Rochester last season. He tied for sixth on the team with 37 points.
The 24-year-old made it a point to stand out as a veteran during the Prospects Challenge, and his performance has carried into main camp. He was rewarded with a role on the top line alongside Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson against the Flyers.
"Weissbach looked very comfortable with Thompson and Skinner and created a lot, showed skill, showed vision, and there was some chemistry there between the three of them," Granato said. "So that was a real bonus, plus for Linus. He played a really solid game."
4. The Sabres went undefeated in three games at the Prospects Challenge and have now won both preseason games despite icing two very different lineups.
One constant through each of those games: 19-year-old forward Matt Savoie, the ninth-overall pick in this summer's draft.
"I'm going to throw Matty Savoie under the bus, he said he was 5-0 in a Sabres uniform," Tuch said. "I think he's got the record right now. I'm kind of jealous."
