Sabres face difficult decision with Isak Rosen

It was only a few years ago that the Buffalo Sabres selected forward Isak Rosen with the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Since then, he’s earned very little playing time at the NHL level, despite achieving successful AHL campaigns.

In a recent mailbag from Rachel Lenzi of The Buffalo News, a question was answered on Rosen, to which Lenzi argued that the Sabres could be better off trading Rosen rather than trying to make him work in the top six. Although Rosen has shown considerable talent with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, he’s unlikely to beat out any of Buffalo’s forwards for a top-six role as the roster is currently constructed.

Still only 22, Rosen has spent the last three years in North America after departing from the SHL’s Leksands IF. Since then, Rosen has recorded 62 goals and 142 points in 194 regular-season games with Rochester, along with 11 additional goals and 16 points in 27 playoff contests.

Despite that track record, the Sabres have only given Rosen 15 opportunities in Buffalo, leading to only one assist while averaging 9:09 of ice time per game. Not having the skill set for a bottom-six role, the Sabres are left with very few options for Rosen if they’re unwilling to give him more ice time.

There are a few teams that could have interest in Rosen for a top-six role, with the Edmonton Oilers standing out as an interesting fit. Given that winger Zach Hyman is unsure if he’ll start the regular season on time, Rosen could be a sufficient stopgap in the Oilers’ top-six, especially if Isaac Howard’s transition to the NHL is less than ideal.

Although it’s been quiet on the trade front for a few weeks, the Sabres could conceivably get quite the haul in a deal, especially if they’re willing to include Rosen in a Bowen Byram trade. There’s no indication a deal is close, or still being considered, but Buffalo may now have another arrow in its quiver.

There’s certainly no rush for the Sabres to trade Rosen, as they hold his contractual rights for the next few years. Still, they’re getting dangerously close to Rosen simply being a very good AHL piece, without ever having developed the necessary skill to play at the game’s top level.