Leone likes group of talent he sees for Sabres Prospect Challenge

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) – Buffalo Sabres prospects had their first practice on Wednesday, as they get ready for the Sabres Prospects Challenge this weekend.

Rochester Americans head coach Mike Leone and his staff put the players through their paces, and says the group knows its objectives.

"We had an organizational meeting where Kevyn [Adams] and Lindy [Ruff] talked, and it aligned," said Leone following Wednesday's practice at Harborcenter. "It’s a short tournament, but it’s the first time for the guys to really establish how we want the Buffalo Sabres to play, and the identity we want to have within the organization.

"We had a quick meeting today on how we want to play, the habits and details, and standards that we want to have."

Of all the players you’ll see in this tournament, Jiri Kulich is probably the one that would have the best chance to make the Sabres' opening night roster this season. Kulich has been working on his strength all summer, and Leone is getting to know the type of player he is.

"It’s the character of the individual, and then especially on video, he can really shoot it," said the new Amerks head coach, hired just this past offseason. "Just to be on the ice level, it’s his compete and the way he can protect the puck. He’s got a really quick release, and with what he’s done in his first two years, he’s right there."

After two years of playing in the Swedish Hockey League, Noah Ostlund is here and ready to start his North American professional career.

Ostlund played two regular season games with the Amerks and three playoff games last year, picking up a goal and an assist. Leone really likes what he has seen from the 2022 first-round pick.

"He had the puck on his stick a lot. It’s his puck protection with a low center of gravity. I thought he had a really good day," Leone said.

"The one thing I was probably most impressed with was going from the meeting about the habits and details, and then watching him at practice. Every loose puck, he was on it."

Wednesday's lines:

Forwards:

Wahlberg - Helenius - Ostlund
Tullio - Kulich - Rosen
Nadeau - Kozak - Kisakov
Cheveldayoff - Fiddler-Schultz - Neuchev (Miedema)

Defense:

Johnson - Komarov (Bodin)
Panocha - Novikov (Laaouan)

Goalies:

Ratzlaff - Leenders