The Buffalo Sabres practiced at LECOM Harborcenter on Friday after taking team photos on their day off after returning from Ottawa after going 2-1-0 on a three-game road swing. The club returns to action on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the contest will mark the NHL debut of youngster Noah Ostlund, who the club called up on Friday.
The 21-year-old was the Sabres middle first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and has made remarkable strides in his first full season in North America. After missing two months with an injury, the young center returned in December and struggled to find his game, going goalless in 11 straight.
“It was something with my hand that wasn’t right, and (they) had to do a little surgery on it, and now I don’t feel it,” Ostlund said. “(After returning, I just found my game a little bit more. I’ve been playing more with the puck and creating more.”
Since January 19, Ostlund has been red-hot, with 18 goals in 28 games. Last week, he was named AHL Player of the Week, and his empty net goal in the Amerks playoff clinching win over Springfield on Wednesday marked his sixth straight game with a goal, which prompted the Sabres to recall him with the injury to center Tyson Kozak.
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“(I’ve heard) nothing but good (things). The way he’s played, the way he’s defended, how well he’s operated with the puck, he’s put together real good year down (in Rochester).” Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. “It’s just a player (who is) finding his path, and he feels comfortable down there. (The AHL is) a hard league to play in, but he’s progressed and pushed himself to where he’s become one of the top players down there……I always think players need that time. It’s a hardness that you have to get. It’s like I say, sometimes playing down there is harder than playing up here, and he’s navigated that path pretty well.”
Ostlund skated on Friday in place of Kozak on the fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Sam Lafferty. Ruff indicated that his being placed there was more due to not mixing up his other three lines and not to overwhelm the youngster against a lineup of Stanley Cup-winning veterans with the Lightning.
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