Here is a quick update on the prospects the Sabres selected in 2021 who are not currently in the NHL:
Olivier Nadeau – RW – 97th overall
A big scoring winger in the QMJHL, Nadeau had 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 41 games for Jacksonville of the ECHL last season and scored a goal in a brief five game stint in Rochester. After starting the season and playing two games in October, the 21-year-old was sent to the ECHL to get playing time and scored six goals in 11 games for the Icemen, but since being recalled on December 5th, he has played only one game for the Amerks.
Viljami Marjala – LW – 159th overall
After playing part-time with TPS Turku in 2023, Marjala led the club in scoring with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 60 games, and had nine points in the playoffs. The 21-year-old is having another good offensive year in Liiga this season, with 29 points in 29 games, but only has six goals so far.
William Von Barnekow – C – 161st overall
Von Barnekow is out of the SHL’s Malmo Redhawks junior system and averaged over a point per game in his draft year and the following year at the junior level. Now 22, the 6’3”, 190 lb. center is not generating any significant offense in his first two seasons (1 goal, 2 assists in 26 games) and appears to be a longshot to ever come to North America.
Nikita Novikov – D – 188th overall
The 6’3”, 207 lb. blueliner came to North America after playing two years with Dynamo Moscow and settled in nicely as a regular with the Rochester Americans, with 23 points (3 goals, 20 assists) in 65 games. The 21-year-old got plenty of ice time and opportunity at the Sabres Prospect Challenge in September and is not producing at the pace he was as a rookie, with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in 29 games with the Amerks this season.
Nikita Novikov likes to attack the play and here he does just that for his third goal of the year to give ROC the quick 1-0 lead on Syracuse. pic.twitter.com/QqkSsRw5xL
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) December 21, 2024
Tyson Kozak – C – 193rd overall
After two seasons as mostly a depth player and 10 goals in 96 AHL games, the 21-year-old Kozak started out this season with six goals in 20 games, and earned a callup to the NHL for a Sabres club that desperately needed a spark. After having first NHL goal taken away in his first game due to goalie interference, Kozak scored against Utah on December 7, but was sent down a few days later.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
