THE CHART

PLAYER RANKINGS



3 - Brendan Guhle - LHD, 6'3", 194 lbs., Rochester Americans (AHL)



In the last rankings, I referenced how we often measure a player's readiness by time, but with Guhle I measure him as being X pounds away. The magic number now sits at 10. Based on his fluid stride, he can continue to add that mass up top and not lose a lick of his skating ability, all the while generating more power to fuel his evolving physical dimension.



Guhle covers a ton of ice. He received loads of opportunity at the junior level to tune up his shutdown responsibilities in the defensive zone, but the ultimate projection is that of a top-four puck-mover/rush-joiner who can survey the play at an elevated pace and simply take chances deep in the offensive zone that others can't due to his excellent recovery.



Entering this third NHL camp, Guhle is penciled in to start the year in Rochester where he'll be relied upon to kickstart the Amerks' attack from the back end. Defensively, he needs to maintain his mental composure in a big-minute role and play instinctive hockey. Chase less, maintain his position around the net, clog lanes and seal off the back door.



He is in a spot where he can quickly force upward pressure in the pipeline, but in reality, earning spot recalls while serving as a full-time AHLer could be best for the long run considering his resume includes just 17 WHL playoff contests.



Fans always want the shiny new toy in the lineup right away, but the days of on-the-job NHL training should be a thing of the past if you want to be a playoff team. Let him develop.





4 - Rasmus Asplund - C, 5'11, 176 lbs., Farjestad BK (SHL)



While Mittelstadt and Nylander will reap the accolades with their high-end offensive skill sets, Asplund simply pays attention to detail as a consistent worker who can smartly use his stick, separate guys from the puck and help drive the team's possession metrics. His wits on both sides of the puck will provide a lot of value when he is physically ready for prime time.



It's rare to see a player so highly developed at a young age. That's what makes him special. It's clear that Asplund has put the work in to truly understand how to play the center ice position.



He's the not the biggest guy nor is he the fastest, but Asplund has the well-balanced blend of skill and peskiness that could see him become unsung rock in the middle of a championship lineup. He does everything with precision, and he possesses sneaky vision with the puck on his stick. He's an astute penalty killer and he's very efficient at the faceoff circle.



If he appears to be ahead of Nylander in terms of NHL development, it could be because he has nearly a full season's more of professional experience than his countryman.



Asplund, who is not eligible to play in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, will finish out his contract with FBK in 2017-18 with 2018-19 as the target for his North American arrival. He'll be polished and ready to compete for a big league job right away, but the expectation is that he starts his journey in Rochester.















5 - Marcus Davidsson - LW/C, 6'0", 192 lbs., Djurgarden IF (SHL)



The Sabres lost William Carrier to Vegas and went out and essentially drafted his replacement early in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft.



Much like fellow countryman Asplund, Davidsson is a smart two-way worker who has the look of an opportunistic middle-line NHL forward that can thrive in a tight checking scheme and produce offense via hard work. The difference between the two is that Davidsson is more focused on the slot, whereas Asplund is more of a creative player that can find him there.



When on his game, Davidsson brings loads of speed and energy. Davidsson parlayed a nice showing last August at the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp into a solid year with Djurgardens IF. He played 45 games with DIF’s top club, scoring five goals and nine points while averaging 11:12 of time on ice. He also received work with the J20 team, scoring six goals and 10 points in nine games.



A lower-line contributor as a junior-aged SHL player, Davidsson is expected to up his production this season. He is focused on the details away from the puck. He likes to buzz all over the ice, applying pressure with a desire to hit and battle in the trenches. He must continue to work on his offensive skills, but no one questions Davidsson’s ability to play with an edge and take on defenders near the edge of the crease.



Buffalo fans will get an up-close look at Davidsson this season as he is expected to play for Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.



All signs point to Davidsson being a responsible low-risk pick. He will agitate, get to the net and get you some goals. Davidsson has one year left on his current deal, and could arrive in Rochester in 2018-19 a more mature player.





6 - Will Borgen - RHD, 6'2", 190 lbs., St. Cloud State University Huskies (NCHC)



A rugged, rock-solid NCAA defender, Borgen totes a smart stick and picks his spots well when activating on the rush. Where he differs from Guhle defensively is in the sandpaper element that he brings in the corners and when protecting his goal. Borgen has some nastiness to him. He doesn't mind initiating with a big hit, and he certainly won't back down when poked. Moving forward, coaches may ask him to check his discipline some, but it is a positive not a negative.



The expectations of Borgen moving forward have remained fairly straight forward. Lock it down by quickly closing his gaps and pushing the play away from the middle of the ice. Get sticks on pucks. Execute with the calmness and mobility to skate into space and make clean passes out of the zone. Keep his shots low from the point on the power play. While being a good skater, the Sabres would like to see him add a little more speed.



The odd turnover has popped up here and there, but for the most part Borgen has proven alarmingly consistent since joining the collegiate ranks. As he learns from those limited unforced errors, it is safe to say he is earning passing grades with flying colors while providing strong leadership to the Huskies' defensive corps.



The Sabres will likely offer the steady defender a contract following the upcoming collegiate season, with the future target as a guy that can ride shotgun with a defenseman like Jake McCabe.





7 - Ukko-Pekka Luukkonnen - G, 6'4", 198 lbs., HPK (Liiga)



Luukkonen offers the Sabres a huge, athletic netminder with long limbs that, with more coaching and technique refinements, has all the signs of developing into a legitimate No. 1 NHL goaltender. He takes away a ton of net both down low and up high, but has the footwork and quickness to arrive at shots on his feet and thwart rebound attempts. He reads the play well, but I want to see him have to scramble less as he develops.



Luukkonen, who was named to the IIHF 2016 Under-18 Championship All-Star Team after helping Finland earn the gold medal, was set back to start the 2016-17 campaign with pneumonia. While having a solid season with his Jr. A club team (1.78 GAA, .917 save%) that saw him backstop HPK to a league championship, Luukkonen didn't perform as dominantly at the 2017 event behind a much younger and inexperienced Finnish squad, but he was still able to maintain his position as the top European goaltender in the 2017 draft class.



With two years remaining on his Finnish contract, Luukkonen will have plenty of time to grow his game. Immediate goals prior to his North American arrival are to lock down the No. 1 role in the HPK organization and be the man for Finland at the next two IIHF World Junior Championships. There isn't any pressure to accelerate his developmental timeline, but it is imperative that he plays the most minutes against the highest level of competition to maximize the key years ahead.





8 - Cliff Pu - C, 6'1", 187 lbs., London Knights (OHL)



With excellent wheels and a keen offensive knack, Pu is in the same bucket as Asplund as far as I'm concerned, making him a valuable prospect thanks to his two-way smarts and versatility. Along the lines of Asplund's development plan, the OHL superstar should be considered a lock to play for Canada when the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship kicks off in Buffalo.



So yes, Pu's offensive numbers are certainly spiking given the elevated OHL role. He understands how to use his linemates while possessing an ability to strip pucks and make things happen on his own. His quick shot from the hash marks down remains an underrated and vastly improved part of his game, and he is very strong at the dot.



With that said, though, much of Pu's long-range value as a centerman will be inversely related to his awareness and intensity level. He must continue to show smarts when supporting his defensemen. The points are great and are certainly a requirement to get his game in order for the next level, but I'm looking more at his 200-foot consistency and all of the little tasks a pivot must master as the keys to his NHL future as a centerman. Pu is going to need to be a blazer up and down the middle of the ice in a do-it-all capacity.



Keep in mind, I wouldn't at all be opposed to easing him along as a winger when he breaks in as a pro. It may actually make the most sense when building a balanced attack in Rochester over the course of the next few seasons.













9 - Justin Bailey - RW, 6'3", 210 lbs., Rochester Americans (AHL)



The Amerks' 2015-16 Rookie of the Year, Bailey continued his development in year two of his entry-level contract as a speedy, athletic winger that can score even-strength goals.



Now entering the final year of his deal, Bailey stands out as a player who may benefit the most from new coaches and a new system if the bosses simplify things and ask him to "just play"



You can argue that continuing to pile up goals will be the primary factor in him becoming a full-time NHLer, but the process ultimately boils down to consistently showing hockey sense, processing NHL game speed and playing to his size. Just play...hard.



You want to see him do less thinking in the defensive zone and be a more fluid read/react player. You want to see him peel off fewer checks and finish his man. You want him to package his excellent wheels with his size and drive with power. In the last rankings, I referenced how we often measure a player's readiness by time, but with Guhle I measure him as being X pounds away. The magic number now sits at 10. Based on his fluid stride, he can continue to add that mass up top and not lose a lick of his skating ability, all the while generating more power to fuel his evolving physical dimension.Guhle covers a ton of ice. He received loads of opportunity at the junior level to tune up his shutdown responsibilities in the defensive zone, but the ultimate projection is that of a top-four puck-mover/rush-joiner who can survey the play at an elevated pace and simply take chances deep in the offensive zone that others can't due to his excellent recovery.Entering this third NHL camp, Guhle is penciled in to start the year in Rochester where he'll be relied upon to kickstart the Amerks' attack from the back end. Defensively, he needs to maintain his mental composure in a big-minute role and play instinctive hockey. Chase less, maintain his position around the net, clog lanes and seal off the back door.He is in a spot where he can quickly force upward pressure in the pipeline, but in reality, earning spot recalls while serving as a full-time AHLer could be best for the long run considering his resume includes just 17 WHL playoff contests.Fans always want the shiny new toy in the lineup right away, but the days of on-the-job NHL training should be a thing of the past if you want to be a playoff team. Let him develop.While Mittelstadt and Nylander will reap the accolades with their high-end offensive skill sets, Asplund simply pays attention to detail as a consistent worker who can smartly use his stick, separate guys from the puck and help drive the team's possession metrics. His wits on both sides of the puck will provide a lot of value when he is physically ready for prime time.It's rare to see a player so highly developed at a young age. That's what makes him special. It's clear that Asplund has put the work in to truly understand how to play the center ice position.He's the not the biggest guy nor is he the fastest, but Asplund has the well-balanced blend of skill and peskiness that could see him become unsung rock in the middle of a championship lineup. He does everything with precision, and he possesses sneaky vision with the puck on his stick. He's an astute penalty killer and he's very efficient at the faceoff circle.If he appears to be ahead of Nylander in terms of NHL development, it could be because he has nearly a full season's more of professional experience than his countryman.Asplund, who is not eligible to play in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship, will finish out his contract with FBK in 2017-18 with 2018-19 as the target for his North American arrival. He'll be polished and ready to compete for a big league job right away, but the expectation is that he starts his journey in Rochester.The Sabres lost William Carrier to Vegas and went out and essentially drafted his replacement early in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft.Much like fellow countryman Asplund, Davidsson is a smart two-way worker who has the look of an opportunistic middle-line NHL forward that can thrive in a tight checking scheme and produce offense via hard work. The difference between the two is that Davidsson is more focused on the slot, whereas Asplund is more of a creative player that can find him there.When on his game, Davidsson brings loads of speed and energy. Davidsson parlayed a nice showing last August at the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp into a solid year with Djurgardens IF. He played 45 games with DIF’s top club, scoring five goals and nine points while averaging 11:12 of time on ice. He also received work with the J20 team, scoring six goals and 10 points in nine games.A lower-line contributor as a junior-aged SHL player, Davidsson is expected to up his production this season. He is focused on the details away from the puck. He likes to buzz all over the ice, applying pressure with a desire to hit and battle in the trenches. He must continue to work on his offensive skills, but no one questions Davidsson’s ability to play with an edge and take on defenders near the edge of the crease.Buffalo fans will get an up-close look at Davidsson this season as he is expected to play for Sweden at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.All signs point to Davidsson being a responsible low-risk pick. He will agitate, get to the net and get you some goals. Davidsson has one year left on his current deal, and could arrive in Rochester in 2018-19 a more mature player.A rugged, rock-solid NCAA defender, Borgen totes a smart stick and picks his spots well when activating on the rush. Where he differs from Guhle defensively is in the sandpaper element that he brings in the corners and when protecting his goal. Borgen has some nastiness to him. He doesn't mind initiating with a big hit, and he certainly won't back down when poked. Moving forward, coaches may ask him to check his discipline some, but it is a positive not a negative.The expectations of Borgen moving forward have remained fairly straight forward. Lock it down by quickly closing his gaps and pushing the play away from the middle of the ice. Get sticks on pucks. Execute with the calmness and mobility to skate into space and make clean passes out of the zone. Keep his shots low from the point on the power play. While being a good skater, the Sabres would like to see him add a little more speed.The odd turnover has popped up here and there, but for the most part Borgen has proven alarmingly consistent since joining the collegiate ranks. As he learns from those limited unforced errors, it is safe to say he is earning passing grades with flying colors while providing strong leadership to the Huskies' defensive corps.The Sabres will likely offer the steady defender a contract following the upcoming collegiate season, with the future target as a guy that can ride shotgun with a defenseman like Jake McCabe.Luukkonen offers the Sabres a huge, athletic netminder with long limbs that, with more coaching and technique refinements, has all the signs of developing into a legitimate No. 1 NHL goaltender. He takes away a ton of net both down low and up high, but has the footwork and quickness to arrive at shots on his feet and thwart rebound attempts. He reads the play well, but I want to see him have to scramble less as he develops.Luukkonen, who was named to the IIHF 2016 Under-18 Championship All-Star Team after helping Finland earn the gold medal, was set back to start the 2016-17 campaign with pneumonia. While having a solid season with his Jr. A club team (1.78 GAA, .917 save%) that saw him backstop HPK to a league championship, Luukkonen didn't perform as dominantly at the 2017 event behind a much younger and inexperienced Finnish squad, but he was still able to maintain his position as the top European goaltender in the 2017 draft class.With two years remaining on his Finnish contract, Luukkonen will have plenty of time to grow his game. Immediate goals prior to his North American arrival are to lock down the No. 1 role in the HPK organization and be the man for Finland at the next two IIHF World Junior Championships. There isn't any pressure to accelerate his developmental timeline, but it is imperative that he plays the most minutes against the highest level of competition to maximize the key years ahead.With excellent wheels and a keen offensive knack, Pu is in the same bucket as Asplund as far as I'm concerned, making him a valuable prospect thanks to his two-way smarts and versatility. Along the lines of Asplund's development plan, the OHL superstar should be considered a lock to play for Canada when the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship kicks off in Buffalo.So yes, Pu's offensive numbers are certainly spiking given the elevated OHL role. He understands how to use his linemates while possessing an ability to strip pucks and make things happen on his own. His quick shot from the hash marks down remains an underrated and vastly improved part of his game, and he is very strong at the dot.With that said, though, much of Pu's long-range value as a centerman will be inversely related to his awareness and intensity level. He must continue to show smarts when supporting his defensemen. The points are great and are certainly a requirement to get his game in order for the next level, but I'm looking more at his 200-foot consistency and all of the little tasks a pivot must master as the keys to his NHL future as a centerman. Pu is going to need to be a blazer up and down the middle of the ice in a do-it-all capacity.Keep in mind, I wouldn't at all be opposed to easing him along as a winger when he breaks in as a pro. It may actually make the most sense when building a balanced attack in Rochester over the course of the next few seasons.The Amerks' 2015-16 Rookie of the Year, Bailey continued his development in year two of his entry-level contract as a speedy, athletic winger that can score even-strength goals.Now entering the final year of his deal, Bailey stands out as a player who may benefit the most from new coaches and a new system if the bosses simplify things and ask him to "just play"You can argue that continuing to pile up goals will be the primary factor in him becoming a full-time NHLer, but the process ultimately boils down to consistently showing hockey sense, processing NHL game speed and playing to his size. Just play...hard.You want to see him do less thinking in the defensive zone and be a more fluid read/react player. You want to see him peel off fewer checks and finish his man. You want him to package his excellent wheels with his size and drive with power.



The raw skating skills are certainly in play. Bailey is very determined on the forecheck, and he can take defenders on the rush. The Darryl Belfry-led work regimen that resulted in a more explosive skater was an excellent first step to elevating his game last season. Now the next stages involve improved anticipation and finding the spot spots to use his shooting skills. And of course, he needs to hit the net with his shot.



With the work plan laid out, Bailey has the chance to leapfrog some bodies. The key is maintaining the right attitude (I cannot stress enough how important this is), forget about the depth chart and simply focus on the process that is designed to make him a better hockey player. He's always shown that he knows what it takes to improve.









10 - Hudson Fasching - RW, 6'2", 207 lbs., Rochester Americans (AHL)



A right wing who makes a lot of plays from the left side of the ice, Fasching made the Sabres roster out of camp last season, playing with greater quickness and maintaining his projection as a winger who competes hard, helps drive a puck possession offense and efficiently kills penalties.



We've referenced in the past how the Olympic-sized rink at the University of Minnesota forced Fasching to improve his footwork and overall skating game by honing in on more explosive stops and starts. This is the first thing I thought of when Fasching suffered a major groin injury last season.



I oddly wonder if the injury was actually a blessing in disguise. Groin injuries are never easy to deal with, but the reality is that he was probably best-served by more time on the farm. Having the game slow down and having a less to deal with on your plate is never a bad way to get acclimated, even if it is just for a brief tour. Fasching himself may not agree, but he just might when someday looking back at his career.



Regardless, I always have room for a big, hard-working effort player on my roster. He's a smart one, too, mixing in outstanding positioning and correct plays with the puck per the situation. Fasching won't over-handle the puck, but his size and reach can make him a beast beneath the goal line and a major goal-area presence. He has all the right traits to become a regular 12-15-goal, 30-point guy given the Sabres' skilled group of forwards that should be able find him with his stick down. It's just going to take proper seasoning to make it happen -- even if he isn't that far off to begin with. The raw skating skills are certainly in play. Bailey is very determined on the forecheck, and he can take defenders on the rush. The Darryl Belfry-led work regimen that resulted in a more explosive skater was an excellent first step to elevating his game last season. Now the next stages involve improved anticipation and finding the spot spots to use his shooting skills. And of course, he needs to hit the net with his shot.With the work plan laid out, Bailey has the chance to leapfrog some bodies. The key is maintaining the right attitude (I cannot stress enough how important this is), forget about the depth chart and simply focus on the process that is designed to make him a better hockey player. He's always shown that he knows what it takes to improve.A right wing who makes a lot of plays from the left side of the ice, Fasching made the Sabres roster out of camp last season, playing with greater quickness and maintaining his projection as a winger who competes hard, helps drive a puck possession offense and efficiently kills penalties.We've referenced in the past how the Olympic-sized rink at the University of Minnesota forced Fasching to improve his footwork and overall skating game by honing in on more explosive stops and starts. This is the first thing I thought of when Fasching suffered a major groin injury last season.I oddly wonder if the injury was actually a blessing in disguise. Groin injuries are never easy to deal with, but the reality is that he was probably best-served by more time on the farm. Having the game slow down and having a less to deal with on your plate is never a bad way to get acclimated, even if it is just for a brief tour. Fasching himself may not agree, but he just might when someday looking back at his career.Regardless, I always have room for a big, hard-working effort player on my roster. He's a smart one, too, mixing in outstanding positioning and correct plays with the puck per the situation. Fasching won't over-handle the puck, but his size and reach can make him a beast beneath the goal line and a major goal-area presence. He has all the right traits to become a regular 12-15-goal, 30-point guy given the Sabres' skilled group of forwards that should be able find him with his stick down. It's just going to take proper seasoning to make it happen -- even if he isn't that far off to begin with.









11 - Nick Baptiste - RW, 6'1", 205 lbs., Rochester Americans (AHL)



Baptiste has, unequivocally, been the most challenging player to place in the past few editions of these rankings. This isn't to say I have had negative things to say about him (I haven't) or I have been too critical of his game (I have always liked him for what he is as natural goal scorer and sharp-shooter).



Let's face it. All Baptiste has done, going back to every development camp and Traverse City/Prospects Challenge tournament since being drafted, is score goals. He hasn't exactly been given the greatest support on the farm to develop his all-around game, and yet he still produces.



And still, despite being an energetic scorer in junior and a 25-goal man last season as a second-year pro, I can't kick the feeling that Baptiste ultimately projects better as a speedy middle-of-the-lineup, dare I say "role" player, when he settles in at the NHL level. I understand he played with Connor McDavid, but maybe he's that valuable support worker that you can move up and down the lineup to spark the offense and throw him over the boards on the power play, where he excelled last season with 11 of his 25 markers.



The Ottawa product brings versatility to the right side with his acceleration and willingness to fly into the corners on the forecheck. An upright skater, Baptiste is most effective when he keeps his game in a straight line offensively and comes back to his zone with equal gusto. That's one of the reasons why his ideal role (to me) could be one who can force the play deep, apply back pressure and, since he is more finisher than creator, use his excellent release of the puck to capitalize in open space, especially at the left circle with the man advantage.



Trust me, I would love to be incorrect in this thinking and see Baptiste develop into a top-line NHL forward. There's no question the Sabres need a winger to step up, maintain a positive attitude with a clean slate, and force their way into the top of the lineup.



However it shakes out, Baptiste illustrates a classic case of patience being required when developing players. Despite a small AHL sample size, some hockey watchers looked at his first-year body of work, and made immediate judgement on his long term probability for success as a professional. Let's just remember that adjustment periods are needed even for players that potted 45 in junior.



12 - Sean Malone - C, 6'0", 190 lbs, Rochester Americans (AHL)



When JT Compher was traded in June of 2015, one of the underlying thoughts was that the Sabres still had an unheralded effort player in the ranks with Malone. Two years and two surgically repaired hips later, Malone enters the pro ranks with loads of NHL upside.



Malone packs similar vision and playmaking skill to that of Compher, but his impact is made with a pesky no-quit attitude that often sees him being the first man in on the forecheck. He can make plays at a high rate of speed, using his feet around the edge to open up defender and his vision to connect with streaking linemates, but his modus operandi has been getting to the net and finishing plays in traffic.



His goals aren't easy tap-ins. They're scored with defenders draped on him. To illustrate the effort, you need more than one hand to count the number of goals he scored as he was being shoved to the ice. Of his 18 markers last season, just one was scored on the power play while two came short-handed.



When he was on his game, a healthy Malone was among the most effective collegiate forwards. The past few years have seen thickness added to his frame that, when packaged with his massive heart, help him absorb and initiate contact to make plays all over the ice. He has all of the tools to play in the NHL, so this season is all about getting the reps in as an AHL rookie before making a serious push in 2018-19.





13 - Jonas Johansson - G, 6'3", 193 lbs., Rochester Americans (AHL) Baptiste has, unequivocally, been the most challenging player to place in the past few editions of these rankings. This isn't to say I have had negative things to say about him (I haven't) or I have been too critical of his game (I have always liked him for what he is as natural goal scorer and sharp-shooter).Let's face it. All Baptiste has done, going back to every development camp and Traverse City/Prospects Challenge tournament since being drafted, is score goals. He hasn't exactly been given the greatest support on the farm to develop his all-around game, and yet he still produces.And still, despite being an energetic scorer in junior and a 25-goal man last season as a second-year pro, I can't kick the feeling that Baptiste ultimately projects better as a speedy middle-of-the-lineup, dare I say "role" player, when he settles in at the NHL level. I understand he played with Connor McDavid, but maybe he's that valuable support worker that you can move up and down the lineup to spark the offense and throw him over the boards on the power play, where he excelled last season with 11 of his 25 markers.The Ottawa product brings versatility to the right side with his acceleration and willingness to fly into the corners on the forecheck. An upright skater, Baptiste is most effective when he keeps his game in a straight line offensively and comes back to his zone with equal gusto. That's one of the reasons why his ideal role (to me) could be one who can force the play deep, apply back pressure and, since he is more finisher than creator, use his excellent release of the puck to capitalize in open space, especially at the left circle with the man advantage.Trust me, I would love to be incorrect in this thinking and see Baptiste develop into a top-line NHL forward. There's no question the Sabres need a winger to step up, maintain a positive attitude with a clean slate, and force their way into the top of the lineup.However it shakes out, Baptiste illustrates a classic case of patience being required when developing players. Despite a small AHL sample size, some hockey watchers looked at his first-year body of work, and made immediate judgement on his long term probability for success as a professional. Let's just remember that adjustment periods are needed even for players that potted 45 in junior.When JT Compher was traded in June of 2015, one of the underlying thoughts was that the Sabres still had an unheralded effort player in the ranks with Malone. Two years and two surgically repaired hips later, Malone enters the pro ranks with loads of NHL upside.Malone packs similar vision and playmaking skill to that of Compher, but his impact is made with a pesky no-quit attitude that often sees him being the first man in on the forecheck.When he was on his game, a healthy Malone was among the most effective collegiate forwards.to his frame that, when packaged with his massive heart, help him absorb and initiate contact to make plays all over the ice. He has all of the tools to play in the NHL, so this season is all about getting the reps in as an AHL rookie before making a serious push in 2018-19.



After logging over 80 per cent of the starts the last two seasons for Almtuna IS of Sweden's second-tier division, Johansson is set to begin his full-time North American quest.



A bulky Swedish backstop, Johansson is surprisingly agile and flexible. The big stopper has performed with consistency since being drafted, quietly working on his quickness and puck tracking to his prepare him for the jump to North America. He's patient, waiting to drop into his butterfly, and doesn't spend a lot of time playing on his knees, instead relying on his footwork to maintain his positioning for second and third chances.



In seven starts on an amateur tryout last season, Johansson went 3-3-1 with a 2.85 GAA and .892 save%. One of six contracted goalies playing in North America, the 2017-18 season likely sees Johansson applying his craft in Cincinnati of the ECHL with a plan to get him some AHL action as the season progresses both due to injuries and merit. Goalies need reps. If he does well with the Cyclones, he'll get his looks with the Amerks.









14 - Casey Fitzgerald - RHD, 5'11", 185 lbs., Boston College Eagles (Hockey East)



A steady puck-moving defenseman with clear edginess in his game, Fitzgerald has the look of No. 6 defender with power play acumen. He likes to move the puck around and step into big shots from the point when given a look.



Fitzgerald has average speed that sometimes sees him challenged in 50/50 situations, but overall he's able to stay in plays with his positioning and active stick. Most importantly, Fitzgerald likes to toss his body around. His willingness to engage by meeting the rush and launching himself into guys along the boards shows the fearless, disruptive attitude that gives you positive signs for an NHL future when combined with his ability to add even-strength offense (just four of his 22 points last season came on the power play).



A clear determining factor with Fitzgerald as it relates to his potential is the great amount of confidence he plays with. Some players will make a poor play and it stays with them with for a few shifts. Not Fitzgerald. If he gets beat on a play, Fitzgerald has consistently demonstrated the ability to bounce right back with a string of good shifts. This tells a story about his competitiveness, but also the mental toughness that will often make or break players when they hit the pros.



I expect Fitzgerald to be a major force this season at Boston College and have the Sabres come calling for a contract as soon as his season ends.













15 - Brandon Hagel - LW, 6'1", 165 lbs., Red Deer Rebels (WHL)



A tenacious bulldog who stood out at the 2016 Development Camp with his willingness to launch into corners and battle beneath the goal line with his stick on the ice, Hagel enjoyed a breakout 2016-17 campaign on the Rebels' top line. He put up a load of points. He scored clutch goals with eight of his 31 markers being game-winners. He engaged in plenty of post-whistle scrums and even dropped the mitts for three scraps.



A great sign of encouragement was the upward trend in his game all season long. He went without a point in his first three games of the season, but never went more than two-straight without one the rest of the way. He connected for a two-goal, four-assist game in January. He posted four-point nights in three of his last four regular season games. He stayed hot in the playoffs, with seven goals in as many games.



Hagel's sparkplug mentality around the net could be a very useful NHL resource once he adds mass to his body. Think of a less obnoxious Andrew Shaw type of player using speed and peskiness and he goes up and down the wing and bulldozes into corners.





