Buffalo Sabres Prospects – #14 Viktor Neuchev

The Buffalo Sabres are considered to have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL, not only because of their selecting high in recent drafts but also due to their eye for talent and their organizational choices of either leaving players to develop in their home countries or bringing them to North America. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals and have played less than 40 NHL games.

14. – VIKTOR NEUCHEV - LW (ROCHESTER – AHL)

Neuchev was the Sabres third-round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal (74th overall) after scoring 40 goals in the junior-level MHL of the Avtomobilist Yekaterinberg system. In 2022-23, he was promoted and played in the KHL full-time and had 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 57 games. Buffalo signed the 6’2”, 165 lb. winger to an entry-level contract and brought the 20-year-old over to North America and saw positive results in his rookie season.

Starting in a depth role with Rochester last season, Neuchev experienced some stretches of offensive success but, as typical of a rookie, struggled. In 57 games, he had 28 points (11 goals,17 assists) and an assist in two playoff games. This season, the 21-year-old has 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) in 32 games.

The Hockey Prospect.com Black Book describes Neuchev as showing “a better understanding of how to stay in motion, seamlessly maintaining his stride as he works in unison with his hands. His playmaking, and willingness to attack angles in high danger areas, and un-telegraphed, yet inventive thinking make it very difficult for defenses to adjust to his game.”

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo