Top prospects for Buffalo Sabres

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Buffalo Sabres, according to NHL.com.

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1. Owen Power, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 1 pick in 2021 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:University of Michigan (NCAA): 33 GP, 3-29-32; Buffalo (NHL): 8 GP, 2-1-3
Power opted to return to Michigan to hone his skills after he was drafted, and the decision appears to have paid dividends. The slick, puck-moving defenseman has the rare combination of size (6-foot-6, 213 pounds) and skill, and averaged almost a point-per-game last season at the college level.
The 19-year-old got a taste of NHL life by joining the Sabres near the end of the season and showed the composure of someone far beyond his years. The prospect of a defense anchored by Power and Rasmus Dahlin, a 22-year-old chosen with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, is reason for optimism in Buffalo.
"I see (Power) as an all-situations guy, someone who's going to be out there whether the team is up by one, down by one, power play, penalty kill, whatever," general manager Kevyn Adams said. "He's always looking to get better, and that's exactly the type of player and person we want for the Buffalo Sabres."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

2. Jack Quinn, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 8 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Rochester (AHL): 45 GP, 26-35-61; Buffalo (NHL): 2 GP, 1-1-2
Like Power, Quinn made his NHL debut last season and looks primed to start this season with the Sabres. The 20-year-old (6-0, 185) enjoyed an outstanding season in Rochester, winning the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award for the American Hockey League's best rookie and earning a spot on its All-Rookie Team despite missing time because of a lower-body injury and mononucleosis.
"You started seeing him start to take over shifts and make plays and be impactful and want the puck," Adams said. "Those are the things you look for."
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. JJ Peterka, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 34 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Rochester (AHL): 70 GP, 28-40-68; Buffalo (NHL): 2 GP, 0-0-0
The 20-year-old joined Quinn on the AHL's All-Rookie Team after an impressive season that saw his extra work with Rochester assistant coach Michael Peca, a veteran of 14 NHL seasons, accelerate his development. Peterka (5-11, 182) followed that up by tying for the team lead in playoff scoring with 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 10 games.
His energetic style of play has the Sabres excited.
"I still view him as a unicorn," Peca said. "I can't find anybody I played with or against, even in today's game, that resembles the type of player he can become. He has no idea how good he can be, which is scary. It's the blend of the power and speed and the skill set with his hands and his shot and his ability to play in a physical game."
Projected NHL arrival:This season

4. Devon Levi, G

How acquired:Traded to Buffalo by Florida on July 24, 2021
2021-22 season: Northeastern University (NCAA): 32 GP, 21-10-1, 1.54 GAA, .952 save percentage, 10 shutouts
The 20-year-old decided to stay at Northeastern this season, so it will be interesting to see what he can do for an encore after receiving the 2022 Mike Richter Award as the best goalie in college hockey. Levi (6-0, 184) also won the National Rookie of the Year Award, was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Year and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award given to the top player in NCAA Division I men's hockey.
"He's not a big guy in stature, so he's had to work for everything that he's earned," Adams said. "And I think that gives players a confidence too when you've done the work and you're earning everything. There's a sense of like, 'I belong, and I deserve this opportunity because of the work I've done.'"
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25

5. Matthew Savoie, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 9 pick in 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season:Winnipeg (WHL): 65 GP, 35-55-90
Savoie's size (5-9, 179) did not deter the Sabres from the blueprint of adding as much raw skill as possible. The 18-year-old, who signed an entry-level contract July 22, has elite speed and playmaking skills, and will get plenty of opportunity to develop in the next couple of years.
Adams said he likes what Savoie brings to the prospect pool at center but stressed there will be no push to rush him into the NHL.
"The top NHL teams, they have good centermen," Adams said. "We feel we have added some good talent to our lineup. [But] we'll be patient."
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25