Buffalo hosts annual Prospect Challenge: Full Roster & Schedule

The Buffalo Sabres kick off their 2025–26 preseason festivities by hosting the annual Prospect Challenge, running from September 11–15 at LECOM Harborcenter’s KeyBank Rink.

This year’s round-robin tournament features top prospects from five organizations: the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, and Pittsburgh Penguins – with Buffalo set to take the ice in three matchups. 

Eyes will be on the Sabres’ 2025 first-round pick Radim Mrtka, as he makes his debut in the blue and gold. Notable returning prospects Isak Rosén and Noah Östlund will also draw attention, with both aiming to prove they belong on the opening night roster after making periodical appearances with Buffalo last season. Meanwhile, invitees Tyler Kopff and Luke Dragusica will look to make the most of the opportunity and show the organization they’re worth keeping around.

Buffalo’s Prospect Roster:

Forwards:

• Matteo Costantini | 23 | Rochester (AHL) | 2020 5th-round pick

• Riley Fiddler-Schultz | 23 | Rochester (AHL) | Undrafted

• Konsta Helenius | 19 | Rochester (AHL) | 2024 1st-round pick

• Tyler Kopff | 22 | Rochester (AHL) | Undrafted

• Matous Kucharcik | 18 | Youngstown (USHL) | 2025 4th-round pick

• Olivier Nadeau | 22 | Rochester (AHL) | 2021 4th-round pick

• Viktor Neuchev | 21 | Rochester (AHL) | 2022 3rd-round pick

• Melvin Novotny | 18 | Muskegon (USHL) | 2025 7th-round pick

• Noah Ostlund | 21 | Rochester (AHL) | 2022 1st-round pick

• Isak Rosen | 22 | Rochester (AHL) | 2021 1st-round pick

• Ryan Rucinski | 18 | Youngstown (USHL) | 2025 7th-round pick

• Redmond Savage | 22 | Rochester (AHL) | 2021 4th-round pick (DET)

• Ashton Schultz | 18 | Chicago (USHL) | 2025 6th-round pick

• Anton Wahlberg | 20 | Rochester (AHL) | 2023 2nd-round pick

Defensemen:

• David Bedkowski | 18 | Owen Sound (OHL) | 2025 3rd-round pick

• Isaac Belliveau | 22 | Rochester (AHL) | 2021 5th-round pick (PIT)

• Simon-Pier Brunet | 19 | Victoriaville (QMJHL) | 2024 4th-round pick

• Luke Dragusica | 18 | Brampton (OHL) | Undrafted

• Vsevolod Komarov | 21 | Rochester (AHL) | 2022 5th-round pick

• Noah Laberge | 18 | Newfoundland (QMJHL) | 2025 5th-round pick

• Radim Mrtka | 18 | Seattle (WHL) | 2025 1st-round pick

• Nikita Novikov | 22 | Rochester (AHL) | 2021 6th-round pick

Goaltenders:

• Ryerson Leenders | 19 | Brantford (OHL) | 2024 7th-round pick

• Topias Leinonen | 21 | Rochester (AHL) | 2022 2nd-round pick

• Samuel Meloche | 18 | Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) | 2025 4th-round pick

• Scott Ratzlaff | 20 | Rochester (AHL) | 2023 5th-round pick

Full Tournament Schedule:

*denotes Buffalo Sabres game

Thursday, Sept. 11

• New Jersey vs. Columbus, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12

• Pittsburgh vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m.

• New Jersey vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m. *

Saturday, Sept. 13

• Columbus vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m. *

Sunday, Sept. 14

• Boston vs. New Jersey, 12 p.m.

• Columbus vs. Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 15

• Pittsburgh vs. Buffalo, 12 p.m. *

The tournament will lead the Sabres directly into training camp, with their first official preseason matchup set for Monday, September 22, against the Columbus Blue Jackets.