When the Buffalo Sabres’ rookie camp opened on Wednesday, Rochester Americans head coach Michael Leone addressed the prospects about team standards and identity. “I told the guys, ‘If someone’s watching from the stands, who are we going to be as a team, and (what’s) the standard that we want to play with?,’” Leone said.
The Sabres will begin their three-game Prospects Challenge slate against the New Jersey Devils at LECOM Harborcenter on Friday at 7 p.m. The tournament includes young talent from five NHL organizations: Buffalo, New Jersey, Columbus, Boston, and Pittsburgh. The Devils started their schedule Thursday with a 7-2 win over Columbus.
Leone emphasized individual effort during these early practices rather than focusing on team structure. “This tournament, being here last year, is pretty chaotic; there’s a lot of energy,” Leone said. “I’m not too concerned about the structure piece of it, but just making sure (of) how we want to play – being relentless on the puck, just seeing the habits instilled in the guys that we need going into the season.”
Fans can watch each of Buffalo’s Prospect Challenge games via streaming on Sabres.com. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will provide commentary while Brian Duff and Marty Biron handle intermissions.
Buffalo’s roster features four first-round picks: forwards Isak Rosen (2021), Noah Ostlund (2022), Konsta Helenius (2024), and defenseman Radim Mrtka (2025). Rosen and Ostlund both saw NHL action last season and aim for more opportunities in Buffalo this preseason. Helenius was named to the 2024-25 AHL Top Prospects team after his rookie season. Mrtka will make his unofficial debut for the organization.
Leone did not specify which goaltender would start Friday but said whoever is chosen is expected to play the entire game. The options are Scott Ratzlaff, Topias Leinonen, Ryerson Leenders, and Samuel Meloche.
For New Jersey, defenseman Seamus Casey had eight points in a 14-game debut with one playoff appearance last season for the Devils and could see more NHL time in 2025-26. Forward Lenni Hameenaho will make his AHL debut this season after recording 51 points last year in Finland’s Liiga; he played alongside Helenius at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. The Devils’ tournament roster includes two of their 2025 draft picks: goaltender Trenten Bennett and defenseman David Rozsival.
