Noah Ostlund was formally called up from Rochester after Tyson Kozak was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a hip injury.
With nine goals and five assists for 14 points in March, the 21-year-old has been on a roll for the Americans. He was named the AHL Rookie of the Month for those 11 games. Near the end of March, he was named AHL Player of the Week as well.
Ostlund has 36 points overall from 44 games, including 19 goals and 17 assists. At +20 right now, he also has one of the team’s best plus-minuses.
Regarding Ostlund, Ruff has been receiving positive news. as he talked about in an MSN interview.
“He’s had a great year down there, and it’s been nothing but good, the way he’s played, the way he’s defended, how well he’s operated with the puck.”
“Players need that time, in my opinion. You have to accept that sometimes playing down there is more difficult than playing up here, and he has done a good job of navigating that terrain.
Ostlund moved from the SHL last season, so this is only his first season in the AHL. European hockey has several distinct regulations, such as those pertaining to the size of the rink and the regions that are off-limits behind the net.
Ostlund has been a standout player in Rochester this season and has adapted to the American hockey regulations quite well. Both sides will view him as an important member. In addition to returning to Rochester for the AHL playoffs, he hopes to finish the season in Buffalo.
Alongside Beck Malenstyn and Sam Lafferty, Ostlund skated on the fourth line on Friday. Ruff explained that he was put in that position because he didn’t change up his other three lines and didn’t overload a younger Ostlund in a lineup with more experience, like the Lighting.
Having watched Ostlund in the AHL this season, I believe that this young youngster has the potential to become another star for the Sabres in the future. Both Isak Rosen and Ostlund are nearly ready for the NHL level, and they create a fantastic team. Ostlund was selected 16th overall in the 2022 NHL draft, something that many people overlook. In exchange for Jack Eichel, the Vegas Golden Knights gave them the pick.