SABRES 2022 DEVELOPMENT CAMP: DAY ONE NOTEBOOK

Jul 13, 2022

By Ryan Harr

MORE THAN 40 PROSPECTS ON THE ICE AS DEVELOPMENT CAMP GETS UNDERWAY

For the first time in three years the Buffalo Sabres took the ice at LECOM Harborcenter for its annual Development Camp. More than 40 Sabres prospects stepped onto the ice on Wednesday afternoon for Day One of the organization’s four-day long summer Development Camp.

The camp, now in its eighth year and fourth at Harborcenter, is designed to introduce prospective players to the Sabres’ playing system while providing them with the necessary tools and conditioning programs in order to be successful at hockey’s highest level.

Like years past, the roster for the annual camp features a balanced mix of young players, most of whom have been drafted by Buffalo in recent years. Some have already turned pro, others are getting ready to make the jump to the professional ranks and a few will return to their respective college or junior teams in the fall. But the objective for all of them is the same: make an impression on the coaches and front office staff while improving their game.

For many, Wednesday’s two-hour practice session served as an unofficial introduction to the organization. The players were divided up into two groups and were put through a series of drills that emphasized skill development and further exposed them to NHL rules. Most importantly, though, it was an opportunity to acclimate themselves with the Sabres specific style of play and make a positive first impression on those who were watching nearby.

APPERT PLEASED WITH DAY ONE EFFORT

Seth Appert, who is entering his third season behind the bench as Rochester Americans head coach, was pleased with the overall effort after Day One, but like much of the front office staff, wants the players to work hard and evolve their game during the week-long camp.

Appert was quite pleased with the overall effort after the first session of Day One. Especially the efforts of returning players like forwards Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Peyton Krebs.

Joining Appert on the ice were his assistant coaches Michael Peca and Mike Weber, goaltending development coach Seamus Kotyk as well as player development coaches Nathan Paetsch and Tim Kennedy and skating coaches Nick Tuzzolino and Mike Ansell. Sabres Director of Player Development Adam Mair also was on the ice.

 

Bringing in the pool of talent that helped Rochester navigate its way to the North Division Finals of the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs isn’t just helpful for these prospects that have been in the organization, but more so for the new ones trying to figure out how to be a pro.

“I think it probably helps the other guys the most,” stated Appert when asked how much it helps to have some of his Amerks crew out on the ice with the new slate of Sabres prospects. “That was an idea that Kevyn Adams and Jason Karmanos had, I thought it was a fabulous idea.

“I also think it's a credit to the quality of the men that we have in that crew. They want to be here instead of rolling their eyes and being like, ‘Really, I got to come back in the middle of summer and do this.’”

EXPERIENCE IN CAMP

Among those in attendance at Development Camp were nine players that suited up for the Amerks last season.

They included forwards Peyton Krebs, Kohen Olischefski, Matej Pekar, JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn, Lukas Rousek, and Linus Weissbach, defensemen Oskari Laaksonen and Mattias Samuelsson.

Forward Josh Bloom, who signed an ATO contract last season with Rochester, is also in camp, but he did appear in any games with the Amerks in 2021-22.

 

Owen Power, who was Buffalo’s first overall selection in 2021, was one of the four players to appear in at least one contest with the Sabres (Krebs, Quinn, Peterka and Samulesson).

“It is an opportunity for some of young prospects in the organization to hold a leadership role,” said Appert. “For some of the European players to have a fellow countryman, who speaks the language, it helps the other players much more comfortable and only helps them.”

JOHNSON AND PORTILLO WEIGHING THEIR OPTIONS

Ryan Johnson (first round, 2019) and Erik Portillo (third round, 2019) discussed their futures, both of which could include returns to the NCAA next season.

Portillo has already made the decision to return to the University of Michigan for his junior year. Johnson said he is learning toward a return to the University of Minnesota for his senior campaign but is soaking in development camp before making a final decision.

Both players, should they return to school, would then have the options to either sign their entry-level deals with the Sabres or become unrestricted free agents on Aug. 15, 2023.

 

Johnson said he would still be interested in signing with Buffalo even if he returns to Minnesota.

“I love the organization,” he said. “It doesn’t close the door. Just have to see what the future holds.”

Portillo cited his education – he is enrolled at the Ross School of Business – and the opportunity to play 40-plus games on a talented Michigan team he backstopped to the 2022 Frozen Four as factors in his decision to return to school.

 

Asked specifically about the Sabres’ organizational depth chart – which currently includes three other goalie prospects in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Devon Levi, and Topias Leinonen, the highest drafted goalie in last week’s draft – Portillo said he would expect to face internal competition with any NHL club.

“I’m just trying to do my best and deliver really well in Michigan here next year, and that’s all I can do right now,” he said.

KREBS INFLUENCE ON YOUNGER PLAYERS

Following the NHL Draft last week, Matt Savoie, who was selected by Buffalo ninth overall, told the media that he played with Krebs during their time in the WHL with the Winnipeg Ice.

“I was pumped right away,” explained Krebs, who is attending the camp for the first time after being acquired last season. “I talked with Kevyn before the Draft about Matt but once the pick with through I was excited. To have another Western-Leaguer and a former teammate, it is great.”

 

“He is a special kid and that is evident by him playing in the WHL when he was 15 and I was 17 or 18.”

“We are rooming together this week so it will be good for the both of us,” Krebs said.

NOTES ON NON-DRESSED PLAYERS

Matej Pekar, Joel Ratkovic-Bendtsson, Olivier Nadeau, Matt Savoie and Chase Coward are attending camp however are being held off the ice due to precautionary reasons as they are recovering from their respective injuries.

“We knew that he obviously finished the playoffs with an injury,” said Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams. “We had done all our due diligence before we drafted him. He is chomping right now at the bit to play and to be out there. But our doctors just, he is still not quite 100 percent and it's July so we just want to be smart with him.”

Aleksandr Kisakov, who attended the 2022 NHL Draft last weekend, Prokhor Poltapov, Stiven Sardarian and Nikita Novikov all were taken during the 2021 NHL Draft but are attendance at camp due to immigration issues.

“He's getting closer,” Adams said when asked about Kisakov. “Canada's closer than where he was before. I give this kid so much credit. I mean, he wants to be here so bad. He is doing everything he can. Waiting on paperwork and he had to get to there and Ottawa, and he's got to spend a few days in Ottawa. But all indications are that he will be able to be allowed in the United States and fairly soon.

“I don't think it will happen in the next few days for Development Camp, but yeah, I am proud of the way that kid has handled himself, and I certainly hope that you see him at training camp.”

LOOKING AT THE WEEK AHEAD

Days 2 and 3 of Development Camp feature on-ice sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday and 9:15 a.m. Friday before the The French Connection Tournament, an intra-squad three-on-three tournament, which will be highlight the camp on Saturday, July 16 at 9:15 a.m. The on-ice sessions takes place in downtown Buffalo at LECOM Harborcenter throughout the week are free and open to the public.