As the Buffalo Sabres prospects hit the ice this weekend, it quickly became clear which players were simply at another level. There were a few players who rose above and felt like true NHLers — and for good reason.
Arttu Ruotsalainen. Brett Murray. J-J Peterka. Mattias Samuelsson. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
It was only two games, but these five players looked NHL ready. To use a cliche, they looked like men among boys. They easily stood out on the ice, but there’s still something to be gained for each of them in participating in a prospects tournament, especially after the odd season last year due to COVID-19.