Sabres prospect thoughts: Radim Mrtka’s physicality, other observations from rookie camp
This week was a strong first step for Mrtka, and he showed why he might have more upside than any prospect in Buffalo’s pool.
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When Radim Mrtka was at the Harborcenter in Buffalo for the scouting combine ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, teams and reporters inquired about the 6-foot-6 defenseman’s ability to play as physical and nasty as you would expect someone that big to play. Three months later, Mrtka was back in that same building playing for the Sabres in the annual prospects challenge rookie tournament, and he started to answer that question.
In the first game of the tournament against the Devils’ prospects, Mrtka laid a big hit in the offensive zone to kill a New Jersey rush before it started. He also scored a goal in the 4-2 loss and then carried that nasty playing style into a heated game against Columbus the next night. Mrtka was actively involved between the whistles and after the whistle, using his size to clear the net and get under opponents’ skin. That competitive fire will be something to watch as Mrtka heads to NHL training camp for the first time and plays against older and stronger players.
If he can continue to develop that side of his game, Mrtka has the makings of a high-end NHL player. Because what was also noticeable during the prospects challenge is how smoothly Mrtka moves around the ice and controls play. For such a tall player, Mrtka’s lateral agility is impressive. He’s poised with the puck on his stick and has strong instincts in the offensive zone. There were times during the three-game tournament when Mrtka was a split second slow to react to plays in the defensive zone, but that’s normal for an 18-year-old playing in a tournament that is fast and chaotic. This week was a strong first step for Mrtka, and he showed why he might have more upside than any prospect in Buffalo’s pool.
Here’s what else we learned from rookie camp.
1. Noah Ostlund had a terrific rookie season in the AHL last season and earned a call-up to the NHL late in the year. His offensive game is noticeable in a tournament like this one. He scored on Saturday and was generating plenty of chances throughout that game. The big question for Ostlund will be whether he can hold up physically at the NHL level and play through the inevitable bumps and bruises. Ostlund blocked a shot in the first game of this tournament and had to leave the game with a bruised knee. He was back in the lineup on Saturday and was the first to jump in to defend Konsta Helenius after a dirty hit from a Columbus prospect. Those moments are arguably more important for Ostlund. He’s already shown he can be a playmaker and scorer. He rarely makes mistakes defensively. But he still needs to mature physically to carve out a spot in the NHL lineup.
2. Isak Rosen was also quick to jump in to defend Helenius on that dirty hit against Columbus. That was a notable play from Rosen, who is now 22 and should be hungry to push for more NHL playing time. I don’t see a path to him making the NHL roster out of training camp, but he can work his way into being one of the first players called up. He said he put on close to 10 pounds this offseason. He switched strength coaches and focused on more explosive lifts. We’ll see if that shows up when he’s playing NHL preseason games. But the big thing with Rosen is playing a more assertive game. Amerks coach Michael Leone said he wanted to see Rosen dominate this tournament. He didn’t do that. Rosen didn’t have a goal, and his line spent too much time in its own end.
“It’s just a willingness to do it all the time, the consistency,” Leone said. “You see it in flashes, but I think for him going into training camp, he has to do it all the time. He’s on the last year of his contract.”
3. Ryan Rucinski, the Sabres’ last pick in their most recent draft class, had a decent showing in his first rookie camp. He had an assist on Friday and got bumped up the lineup. He then scored and drew a penalty in the final game against the Penguins on Monday. I like the way Rucinski battles for the puck and is willing to get to the net. He’s comfortable in traffic, and that stood out in this setting. He’ll play another year in the USHL before heading to Ohio State. Leone said he thought Rucinski’s line was arguably Buffalo’s best throughout the tournament.
“For a seventh-round pick, he’s just a ball of energy,” Leone said. “He skates, he works, he competes really hard, he’s really smart and makes plays.”
4. This will be an interesting year for Anton Wahlberg’s development. He played center and wing in this tournament, but it seems he’ll be best as a winger in the NHL. Wahlberg said his main focus this season is becoming a more consistent player, and that has to start with his game-to-game competitiveness. Like Rosen, Wahlberg finished the tournament without a point despite having a ton of quality looks in front of the net. With his size, he’ll need to develop the ability to finish around the net to maximize his chances of carving out a role in the NHL.
5. Of the Sabres’ top forward prospects, Helenius looks like the easiest NHL projection. His size and competitiveness are going to help him find a role in the NHL once he develops.
“He has a swagger to him in a good way,” Leone said.
While Helenius didn’t have a point in these three games, he found other ways to make an impact. He’s a consistent forechecker and is constantly getting under the skin of opponents. Helenius spent some time on the wing last season, but Leone said he projects as a center at the next level. He was one of Rochester’s best players toward the end of last season, and the hope is he can take another step in the AHL this season. His versatility and attitude, combined with his offensive skill, will make him a useful NHLer before too long.
6. David Bedkowski, Buffalo’s third-round pick in June’s draft, got two games in this tournament, and the physicality he’s known for was apparent. But the speed of the game was an adjustment for him. Leone said there were some “deer in the headlights” moments from Bedkowski while dealing with the speed of the forecheckers at this tournament. Getting a taste of the speed at this level will help Bedkowski as he heads back for another season of juniors.
7. Nikita Novikov was the most promising of Buffalo’s non-Mrtka defensemen. He’s noticeably more composed than he was when he first arrived in Buffalo and has learned to play a simple game. He already has the size to play in the NHL, and his movement and puck skills are more advanced than Vsevelod Komarov’s. At the moment, Novikov’s path to NHL games is blocked by all the lefties on the depth chart, but that could be for the best. Giving him more time in Rochester will help him when he makes the jump to the next level.
8. Two guys on AHL contracts stood out during this tournament. Matteo Constantini and Red Savage both played full college careers, and their experience was obvious during these games. Leone leaned on them in certain situations, including the penalty kill. Savage and Constantini both scored and were two of the most productive players for the Sabres in this event. They are two players to watch in the preseason, because it’s not out of the question that one could earn a pro contract at some point.
9. The goalies weren’t a strength for the Sabres in this tournament, but the team didn’t give them much help, either. Topias Leinonen, Ryerson Leenders and Samuel Meloche each got a full game, but none of the three did anything to separate themselves heading into training camp. Scott Ratzlaff had an illness and didn’t play in this tournament. The Sabres are going to have a crowded goalie depth chart during training camp, so Leenders and Meloche will probably head back to their respective junior teams early.
10. Viktor Neuchev is coming off a season-ending injury and wasn’t able to play in the first two games of this tournament. Neuchev was back for the finale on Monday. Leone noted that Neuchev added close to 10 pounds to his 5-foot-11 frame, which was much needed. His offensive skill is obvious, but his challenge will be holding up against the physical grind of pro hockey.