For the time being at least, Buffalo Sabres prospect Radim Mrtka is adapting to the rigors of pro hockey as a member of the Americans. The AHL, of course, can be unforgiving for teenagers and other neophytes, especially defenseman.
Defenseman Radim Mrtka on Saturday was among four prospects the Buffalo Sabres assigned to the Rochester Americans. They also sent center Noah Ostlund and defensemen Vsevolod Komarov and Zachary Metsa to their AHL affiliate.
NHL head coaches have to hire good assistants. They have to set an overarching philosophy, juggle lineup configurations, and do the kind of “man management” that is impossible to track statistically.
With NHL teams putting finshing touches on their rosters for opening night coming up soon, there are some hard decisions to make. And for Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, he had a very hard decision to make.
The Buffalo Sabres are set to conclude their preseason games and training camp over the next week or so as the calendar inches towards the start of a new season.
BUFFALO – About 12 minutes into his third preseason outing, Sabres rookie Radim Mrtka saw an opportunity materialize deep in his own zone and took off down the middle of the ice.
BUFFALO – Bo, meet Radim. Radim, meet Bo. Now go out and play together. In the opening days of training camp, the Sabres kept the players expected to comprise their NHL roster in one practice group.
BUFFALO – When the Seattle Thunderbirds selected Radim Mrtka 71st overall in the Canadian Hockey League Import Draft in 2024, they took a flier on a talented defenseman.
Four first-round picks, including defenseman Radim Mrtka, the ninth overall selection this year, and center Noah Ostlund, who finished last season in the NHL, highlight the 26-man Prospects Challenge roster the Buffalo Sabres released Tuesday.
The Buffalo Sabres announced Tuesday they had signed defenseman Radim Mrtka to a three-year, entry-level contract. Mrtka was taken with the No. 9 overall pick in last month’s NHL Entry Draft.
The Buffalo Sabres have signed towering defenseman Radim Mrtka to a three-year, entry-level contract. The team recently selected Mrtka with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.