Isak Rosen hoping two years in Rochester has prepared him to make jump to Sabres

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Sabres' 2021 first-round pick Isak Rosen got his first taste of the National Hockey League when he played seven games last season with Buffalo.

In addition to that, the 21-year-old played 67 games with the Rochester Americans, and was their leading scorer with 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points. That earned him a selection to take part in the AHL All-Star Game in San Jose.

Rosen also played five playoff games for the Amerks this postseason, netting two goals.

The winger admits last season was a bit of a whirlwind year.

"I started the year really good, and then got called up, which was real fun to get that experience," said Rosen during his end-of-season press conference. "Then got back down and had a little tough stretch there, and I think I really found my game at the end.

"Before the playoffs, I played really good. But in playoffs, I had a couple of good games, a couple not very good, and I think I could’ve done a better job there. So I think it was a pretty good season, and a step forward taken."

Rosen got back to Rochester from the Sabres on Dec. 13. From there until Feb. 23, Rosen played 29 games and had just three goals and six assists for nine points. From that point until the end of the regular season, Rosen scored nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 22 games.

There was huge improvement in Rosen’s game. Former head coach Seth Appert raved about how responsible Rosen became in the defensive zone. He trusted the kid so much, he was out defending leads late in games.

This past year was his second full season in Rochester, and Rosen has liked his time there.

"I love it. To play for the fan base is amazing," Rosen said.

Rosen also scored seven game-winning goals with the Amerks this past season.

"'Apps' [Appert] put me out there in those times, and has done it for almost two years. Even though we may not succeed every time, he’ll put us out there and I learned a lot from that," Rosen said. "I’m really comfortable in those situations, and that’s thanks to 'Apps.'"

Other than goalie Devon Levi and maybe forward Lukas Rousek and defenseman Ryan Johnson, Rosen might be the most ready to make the jump into the NHL come next season.

If Rosen doesn't make the jump to Buffalo next year, Appert will not be in Rochester, as he is now on Lindy Ruff’s staff in Buffalo. Despite that, Rosen is confident he can carry with him what he learned from Appert.

"He’s such a good coach and good human, and I loved to have him as a coach," Rosen said. "He wants to get better and he wants to help me get better, and has helped me a lot."

Rosen definitely spent his short time in the NHL trying to find his way.

"I need to get stronger," he admitted. "I feel I won more-and-more puck battles, and I think that’s the key to take the next step for me. And also this year, I grew a lot in my defensive play. I played the PK a lot, and I played in a lot of defensive situations. I think it’s really good to add that to my game."

Buffalo used the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft to take Rosen. It was a pick acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers, as well as a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft (used to take big forward Anton Wahlberg) along with veteran defenseman Robert Hagg for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Hagg only played 48 games for Buffalo before being traded to the Florida Panthers for a 2022 sixth-round pick, used to take forward Gustav Karlsson.