2023 Prospect Poll #8

[tsujimoto74]

Sorry for the slight delay in getting this one posted @Dingo44

RESULTS SO FAR:

1. Devon Levi, G (+4)
2. Zach Benson, W (NR)
3. Jiri Kulich, W (+3)
4. Matthew Savoie, W/C (--)
5. Noah Ostlund, C (+2)
6. Isak Rosen, W (+3)
7. Ryan Johnson, D (+3)

RULES: Each poll will remain open for 2 days. In the case of a tie within the top 10, I'll create a 1-day runoff poll to decide the winner. Ties outside of the top 10 will be let stand as ties. For each additional poll, I will add the most commented next to add prospect.


ELIGIBILITY: All players whose rights are held by the Buffalo Sabres and who are eligible to win the Calder Trophy for the 2023-24 season are eligible inclusion. That means a prospect is eligible if--

• He is under age 26 (as of September 15, 2023);
• He has played no more than 25 games in any single preceding season; and
• He has not played 6 or more games in each of any two or more preceding seasons.

NEXT TO ADD: Comment the player you want to see added to the next poll. The following players are eligible:

• Forwards: Ethan Miedema, Filip Cederqvist, Linus Sjodin, Brandon Biro, Linus Weissbach, Aaron Huglen, Matteo Costantini, Gustav Karlsson, Jake Richard, Joel Berndtsson, Stiven Sardaryan, Viljami Marjala, William von Barnekow, Jakub Konecny, Justin Richards, Brett Murray
• Defensemen: Mats Lindgren, Vsemolod Komarov, Shane Keohane, Albert Lyckasen, Norwin Panocha
• Goalies: Scott Ratzlaff, Topias Leinonen

Click to read more...

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I went with Rousek but should've went with Wahlberg. Add Komarov

 

[TheMistyStranger]

I feel like this is where we hit the upside vs. likelihood argument

 

[HOOats]

Wahlberg a third time. Long, skilled, strong, mean, fast, and the youngest player invited to Sweden's current WJC camp.

Add Komarov

I feel like this is where we hit the upside vs. likelihood argument

I think that started with Johnson vs Wahlberg. I'm curious if people are voting for the D earlier than I would because of position need in the org (which I don't consider at all for these votes) or positional scarcity (only really applies to RHD).

 

[Der Jaeger]

Wahlberg, add Komarov

Wahlberg is the big body power forward the Sabres desperately need.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Wahlberg a third time. Long, skilled, strong, mean, fast, and the youngest player invited to Sweden's current WJC camp.

Add Komarov


I think that started with Johnson vs Wahlberg. I'm curious if people are voting for the D earlier than I would because of position need in the org (which I don't consider at all for these votes) or positional scarcity (only really applies to RHD).

I voted for who I think is closer to making it starting with Johnson. Sure it penalizes younger players like Wahlberg, but we’re starting to get into semantics.

Voted Kisakov because I didn’t see Rousek.

Add Murray, Weissbach or Biro.

 

[old kummelweck]

Went with Nadeau here. Add Richard.

Wahlberg is a big swing for the Sabres, no doubt, and has the most intriging upside, but I think he's still a little lower in my personal rankings. By next year, we'll know for sure.

 

[Reddawg]

Novikov, add Komarov

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

Wahlberg, add Lindgren.

 

[Chainshot]

Still have Wahlberg here, a smidge ahead of Neuchev and Novikov.

 

[Chainshot]

Oh, and add Komarov.

 

[Rastin]

Wahlberg, add Lindgren

 

[Jim Bob]

Wahlberg + Lindgren

 

[Chainshot]

So after using the old rules and spending some time thinking about how I would rank where some of these guys are:

Rank	Player	Position
1​	Matthew Savoie	C/RW
2​	Devon Levi	G
3​	Jiri Kulich	C
4​	Zach Benson	LW
5​	Isak Rosen	RW
6​	Noah Ostlund	C
7​	Anton Wahlberg	C/LW
8​	Ryan Johnson	LD
9​	Viktor Neuchev	LW
10​	Nikita Novikov	LD
11​	Lukas Rousek	LW/RW
12​	Tyson Kozak	C
13​	Vsevolod Komarov	RD
14​	Alexander Kisakov	F
15​	Prokhor Poltapov	RW
16​	Olivier Nadeau	RW
17​	Zach Metsa	RD
18​	Maxim Strbak	RD
19​	Ethan Miedema	LW
20​	Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson	RW
21​	Aaron Huglen	C
22​	Gavin McCarthy	RD
23​	Jakub Konecny	C
24​	Sean Keohane	LD
25​	Filip Cederqvist	LW
26​	Mats Lindgren	LD
27​	Jake Richard	RW
28​	Scott Ratzlaff	G
29​	Viljama Marjala	LW
30​	Norwin Panocha	LD
31​	William Von Barneknow	LW
32​	Matteo Costantini	C
33​	Stiven Sardarian	C
34​	Topias Leinonen	G
35​	Gustav Karlsson	C
36​	Linus Sjodin	C
37​	Albert Lyckashen	RD

 

[Dingo44]

Kozak, add Richard

I just think Kozak is a sure fire 4C NHL'er for years.

 

[Zman5778]

Wahlberg, add Komarov

 

[HOOats]

So after using the old rules and spending some time thinking about how I would rank where some of these guys are:

Rank	Player	Position
1​	Matthew Savoie	C/RW
2​	Devon Levi	G
3​	Jiri Kulich	C
4​	Zach Benson	LW
5​	Isak Rosen	RW
6​	Noah Ostlund	C
7​	Anton Wahlberg	C/LW
8​	Ryan Johnson	LD
9​	Viktor Neuchev	LW
10​	Nikita Novikov	LD
11​	Lukas Rousek	LW/RW
12​	Tyson Kozak	C
13​	Vsevolod Komarov	RD
14​	Alexander Kisakov	F
15​	Prokhor Poltapov	RW
16​	Olivier Nadeau	RW
17​	Zach Metsa	RD
18​	Maxim Strbak	RD
19​	Ethan Miedema	LW
20​	Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson	RW
21​	Aaron Huglen	C
22​	Gavin McCarthy	RD
23​	Jakub Konecny	C
24​	Sean Keohane	LD
25​	Filip Cederqvist	LW
26​	Mats Lindgren	LD
27​	Jake Richard	RW
28​	Scott Ratzlaff	G
29​	Viljama Marjala	LW
30​	Norwin Panocha	LD
31​	William Von Barneknow	LW
32​	Matteo Costantini	C
33​	Stiven Sardarian	C
34​	Topias Leinonen	G
35​	Gustav Karlsson	C
36​	Linus Sjodin	C
37​	Albert Lyckashen	RD

Nice list. Wondering what changed from voting for Benson #1 a few weeks ago to having him #4 now?

 

[Chainshot]

Nice list. Wondering what changed from voting for Benson #1 a few weeks ago to having him #4 now?

Doing it with the numbers, the bump is proximity to being in the NHL.

 

[Chainshot]

Adding to that other post -

Rank	Player	Position	Total	Talent Celiing (50%)	Talent Floor (15%)	Development (20%)	Projection (15%)
1​	Matthew Savoie	C/RW	4.275​	4.5​	3​	4.5​	4.5​
2​	Devon Levi	G	4.225​	4.5​	2​	5​	4.5​
3​	Jiri Kulich	C	4.175​	4.5​	3.5​	4​	4​
4​	Zach Benson	LW	4.150​	4.5​	3.5​	3.5​	4.5​
5​	Isak Rosen	RW	3.700​	4​	3​	4​	3​
6​	Noah Ostlund	C	3.575​	4​	3.5​	3​	3​
7​	Anton Wahlberg	C/LW	3.575​	4​	3​	3​	3.5​
8​	Ryan Johnson	LD	3.550​	3.5​	3​	4.5​	3​
9​	Viktor Neuchev	LW	3.450​	4​	2​	3.5​	3​
10​	Nikita Novikov	LD	3.425​	3.5​	3​	3.5​	3.5​
11​	Lukas Rousek	LW/RW	3.375​	3​	2.5​	4.5​	4​
12​	Tyson Kozak	C	3.275​	3​	2.5​	4​	4​
13​	Vsevolod Komarov	RD	3.200​	3.5​	2​	3.5​	3​

 

[truthbluth]

Whalberg add Komarov

 

[nanook17]

Neuchev, add Komarov

 

[Bendium]

Novikov add Lindgren

 

[Fezzy126]

Went with the dangle snipe celly upside of Neuchev

add Lindgren

 

[Butt Ox]

Discounting last year, ranking prospects in the last few seasons felt like a zugzwang battle with no entertainment value in participating. Kudos Kevs and staff. I like these guys.

I feel like RD today. Add Komarov

 

[Caser]

It is interesting for me to see Novikov clearly ahead of Poltapov. I mean so far Novikov hasn't been an impact player on the KHL level like at all, while Poltapov at least in some way was (inconsistently though, but still and, what is particularly impressive, including the playoffs). Obviously size matters, but such a big difference in the poll doesn't make sense to me.