31 Teams in 31 Days - Buffalo Sabres

Two OHL prospects for the Buffalo Sabres and both are/were Import players.

1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen - Sudbury Wolves
Quite honestly, Luukkonen's performance this year may have been the best that I've seen in the OHL in some time. Not only was Luukkonen the first Import goaltender to win goaltender of the year in the OHL, he was only the third goalie to win the Red Tilson (player of the year) in the last 60 years and the first Import (again) ever to win the award. Talk about a season for the ages. The thing that impressed me most about Luukkonen was his composure. He was just so consistent this year. His play just never really seemed to drop. And he tracks the play so well. He's a really big kid and he makes himself that much bigger because he always seems to have his angles covered. It's so difficult to find room through him. He also does a great job controlling his rebounds for a bigger goalie, swallowing up shots and controlling shots off his pads to limit those bonafide second chances. Unfortunately, his work horse season took a toll on him and he's now sidelined after undergoing hip surgery. This will delay his pro season debut likely until well into the season. And because it's his hip, Buffalo would be smart to really be cautious in bringing him back too early and controlling his time on ice before really unleashing him in 2020/2021. I think Luukkonen has everything you want in an NHL starting netminder today and I'm excited to follow his progress as he looks to establish himself as the Sabres' starter of the future.

2. Matej Pekar - Barrie Colts
Was very impressed with Pekar's play earlier in the year before he was sidelined for the season with a broken collarbone. He is such an effective player in all three zones because of how aggressive he is. He just never seems to take a shift off and has very good instincts to force turnovers and jump into those scoring lanes. He's not necessarily the most skilled player with the puck and I don't see him being a big time goal scorer at the NHL level. But he really excels East/West and always seems to keep his feet moving in the cycle, making him a great compliment to more skilled players. He opens up the ice for them. Buffalo certainly has a decision to make next year when it comes to where he will play. As he was not drafted out of the OHL, he can play in the AHL as a 19 year old. But I know Barrie is hoping that he will return and be a big part of their top 6. So what would be best for his development? IMO, I'd like to see him back in the OHL for another year. Given his aggressive style of play, and the injury he sustained last year, I think another year of physical development in junior would really do him well. I also think that it would help him continue to improve his offensive skill set, where as if he were to turn pro, I could see the coaching staff using him in that 3rd/4th line energy role and his offensive development stagnating slightly. If he does return to the OHL, I could see Pekar being an 85 point player and a big part of an improving Colts team.