With the 2022-23 NHL season on the horizon, we’re putting a focus on current and former WHL players looking to make their mark at the next level.
The 2022 NHL Prospect Watch series will feature some of the current and past WHL talent recently drafted or signed to NHL contracts, and having appeared in fewer than 50 NHL games.
Our series continues with a look at the prospect pool of the Buffalo Sabres.
Tyson Kozak
After being selected by the Buffalo Sabers in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft, forward Tyson Kozak signed an entry-level deal with the NHL Club in August. The product of Souris, Man., served as co-captain of the Portland Winterhawks in 2021-22, setting career bests in all major offensive categories including goals (32), assists (37), points (69), power-play goals (10) and game-winning goals (seven).
We have signed forward Tyson Kozak to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Details: https://t.co/V6kEI9uY0P pic.twitter.com/boLxRWLfi3
— Buffalo Sabers (@BuffaloSabres) August 19, 2022
Mats Lindgren
A fourth-round selection by the Buffalo Sabers in the 2022 NHL Draft, defenseman Mats Lindgren will be skating for a new WHL Club this winter after being acquired by the Red Deer Rebels. Lindgren, from North Vancouver, BC, has 111 WHL regular season and playoff games under his belt, all with the Kamloops Blazers. This past season, he put up 44 points (5G-39A) in 68 regular season contests with Kamloops.
Mats Lindgren, shootout KING 👑 pic.twitter.com/GRf2Llmr2Q
— Buffalo Sabers (@BuffaloSabres) July 16, 2022
Matthew Savoie
The ninth-overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, forward Matthew Savoie signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabers in July. The product of St. Albert, Alta. led the Winnipeg ICE in scoring with 90 points during the 2021-22 regular season, finishing eighth among WHL skaters with 55 assists. Savoie added six goals and 12 points during the 2022 WHL Playoffs as Winnipeg reached the Eastern Conference Championship.
Matthew Savoie is the newest member of the Buffalo Sabers after being drafted 9th overall.#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/tAHGU5UdR6
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 8, 2022