The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games.
#19 – Victor Neuchev – Left Wing (Rochester – AHL)
Neuchev was the Sabres third-round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal (74th overall) after scoring 40 goals in the junior-level MHL of the Avtomobilist Yekaterinberg system. In 2022-23, he was promoted and played in the KHL full time and had 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 57 games.
Buffalo signed the 6’2”, 165 lb. winger to an entry-level contract and brought Neuchev over to North America. Starting in a depth role with Rochester, the winger encountered some stretches of offensive success in his first pro season, but also had some struggles.
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In 57 games, Neuchev had 28 points (11 goals,17 assists), and an assist in two playoff games. Last season, the 21-year-old was on pace to eclipse his rookie totals, with 22 points (7 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games, but suffered a shoulder injury in mid-February and was shut down for the season. The young forward is entering the final year of his entry-level contract, and undoubtedly, the Sabres are looking for a sign of significant progress in his third pro season.
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