Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR) - Whenever NHL teams take part in a prospects tournament in the lead-up to training camp and the preseason, fans, members of the media and other hockey pundits often look to the top players on each team's roster and seek out those who can live up to their draft stock or pedigree. The question often is, "Can these players dominate in a tournament against players of a similar age group?"
While the talent pool for this year's Sabres Prospects Showcase may have been far less than many have seen in years past - given the new rules between the Canadian Hockey League and the NCAA allowing for more players to declare for the college ranks - there were a few players between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins that were expected to stand out from the rest and dominate.
However, there was really only one player that stood taller than the rest of them after two games between both teams: Bruins forward James Hagens.
The 2025 first-round pick (seventh overall) was the only player in this tournament taking part with NHL experience under his wing. The The 19-year-old got into two regular season games this past year after signing with the Bruins out of Boston College, and then three more games in the playoffs.
For a player like Hagens, it was expected for him to play like a man among boys in a tournament showcase like this. He did just that, and then some.
Through his two games at LECOM Harborcenter in Downtown Buffalo, Hagens scored six goals, including a four-goal performance in Game 2 of the showcase where he accounted for all of Boston's production in a 4-3 overtime win.
While the Sabres, at times, frustrated Hagens by trying to play physical with him and egg him into penalties, it was lapses in structure in both games that allowed Hagens to run wild and dominate Buffalo. In addition, Hagens used his speed and vision to dictate play, and he wasn't afraid to take his shots and chances to produce offense when the Sabres passed up a number of opportunities in the Boston end.
It's a positive sign for Bruins fans, knowing that Hagens is likely to not only compete for playing time in Boston this year, but a full-time roster spot.
Meanwhile, how did some of Buffalo's top prospects fare in the two games of the Sabres Prospects Showcase?
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Radim Mrtka takes part in practice at LECOM Harborcenter on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, a couple days before taking part in the Sabres Prospects Showcase against the Boston Bruins. Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Radim Mrtka
It was a mixed bag from Mrtka, as he was, arguably, the other most notable prospect other than Hagens in the entire tournament.
Mrtka did pick up an assist in Monday's overtime loss to Boston, and showed a willingness to engage and jump into the offensive rush thanks to the fluidity in his skating. He also showed, at times, some great ability to jump up in the rush, and then get back to support defensively when the puck broke back the other way. While offensive production is not his strong suit, it is the active nature of his play that did stand out from time-to-time.
However, the 2025 first-round pick (ninth overall) of the Sabres did not play a well-balanced, consistent game throughout the showcase. He lacked a level of engagement in the opening contest with puck battles, was caught from time-to-time a bit flat-footed with his defensive approach, and had troubles handling the puck in both games - especially in his own end - that led to quality chances-against.
While this may seem like a seething evaluation, it doesn't mean Mrtka is any sort of bust in the making. He certainly showed flashes of strong, physical and engaged play in his time last year with the Rochester Americans, and it's expected for the 19-year-old to make his presence known on a full-time basis with the Amerks this upcoming year.
The 2026-27 season will be huge for Mrtka, as he now gets ready to learn and grow as a professional in North America.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres prospect Doman Szongoth takes a shot on goal during a drill at Sabres Development Camp at LECOM Harborcenter in 2026.Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Doman Szongoth
The Hungarian-born forward was certainly hungry for offense, and it paid off for him in the opening game of the tournament.
While working on the power play in the second period and trailing 3-1, Szongoth was in the off-wing faceoff circle with the puck on his stick. The 18-year-old was able to wire a quick shot short side, high past the glove of Bruins goalie Max Lundgren to cut the deficit to one.
That may have been Szongoth's only point of the tournament, but there was certainly plenty to like from his performance at the tournament. He had a nose for the puck and finding some good opportunities offensively to put the puck on goal for a chance. He handles the puck well, has a very good shot, and played in all key situations like the power play and penalty kill as a middle-six forward for Buffalo.
Szongoth was the first player born in Hungary to be drafted in the NHL Draft since János Vas was selected in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2002 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars. He is only the fourth Hungarian player ever selected in an NHL Draft.
No Hungarian player has ever played a regular-season game in NHL history.
It's hard not to root for a player like Szongoth, as he will now make the jump to North America to continue his development in the Ontario Hockey League in the 2026-27 season with the Soo Greyhounds. If he can take his game to the next level as a solid and reliable two-way presence, there may be a path for Szongoth to one day get his shot at an NHL dream for not just himself, but his home nation.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Gavin McCarthy works during a drill at Sabres Development Camp in 2025. Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Gavin McCarthy
Of all the defensive prospects playing for Buffalo in this year's Sabres Prospects Showcase, the Clarence Center native left the biggest mark overall.
McCarthy was very poised and in control of his game from the back end in his two games, picking up a goal and an assist. His offensive game was not super flashy, but he jumped in the play for a nice goal early in Monday's loss, and did a nice job moving the puck around the ice in transition and in the offensive zone.
Defensively, the 21-year-old was as solid as it comes, being in position and willing to go to work to keep the front of the net clear, or win a puck battle along the boards.
While McCarthy's game may not have been perfect, it's a real promising sign that there's something in his game that can continue to grow as the levels of hockey get tougher. He did manage to get into five games with the Amerks last year after signing his entry-level contract with the Sabres and playing in Rochester on an amateur tryout.
It will be a stacked competition to play quality minutes in the AHL this upcoming season in Rochester, but having dipped his feet into the professional pool a bit will give McCarthy a leg-up above the rest of the group.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres forward Jake Richard takes part in a skating drill during Sabres Development Camp at LECOM Harborcenter.Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Jake Richard
While Richard was left pointless in his two games this tournament, he looked like the solid offensive presence that the Sabres inked to his entry-level contract this offseason out of the University of Connecticut.
The 22-year-old did have his chances throughout the showcase, including a glorious chance on Monday when he wired a shot off the crossbar and out of harm's way for the Bruins.
However, for someone hoping to make an immediate impact in the Rochester lineup and not have to fight his way through a potential demotion to the ECHL, it was maybe an early opportunity missed to make an impression on head coach Mike Leone and his coaching staff in Rochester.
Nonetheless, Richard has shown plenty of other flashes of brilliance as a power forward with 88 points (32+56) in 110 collegiate games, and also at Sabres Development Camp in his years since being a sixth-round pick (170th overall) of the team in 2022.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Maxim Strbak makes his way onto the ice ahead of a matchup with the Boston Bruins in the Sabres Prospects Showcase at LECOM Harborcenter on Sept. 14, 2026.Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Maxim Strbak
Another defenseman that will be competing for a spot on the back end in Rochester's lineup this October, Strbak did have some positive flashes of play on the blue line over his two games played.
The 21-year-old did manage to score a goal and add an assist in Monday's loss, while being another willing defenseman to contribute offensively whenever the chance presents itself. Strbak has a good, strong stride that generates plenty of power and speed, allowing him to be a guy that can get up-and-down the ice from the right side of the rink.
Strbak may be more of the defensive presence from the back end, when his development is all said and done, as he can be a solid presence in his own end that's willing to go to work with the rest of them with his 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame.
However, like Mrtka, there were a few instances where Strbak's puck handling evaded him, especially in transition, where he coughed up the puck and allowed a scoring chance right back the other way for Boston.
While some believe his stock as a prospect in Buffalo has dropped from when he was originally drafted in the second round (45th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, it's not too late for Strbak to prove his worth to the organization, especially for being another right-shot defenseman.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres defenseman Vsevolod Komarov skates against the Boston Bruins in a game at the Sabres Prospects Showcase at LECOM Harborcenter on Sept. 14, 2026.Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Vsevolod Komarov
Komarov may have been the only other player some may have expected to stand out among the rest, given his age (22) and his professional experience already in the AHL with the Amerks.
While the Russian-born defenseman did show flashes of his mobility and that composure of playing many games at the AHL level, there wasn't much more he did offensively that captivated anyone. He quarterbacked the first power play unit, which had some success in the two games played, but didn't look to be playing at a speed that we saw the Sabres play so much of last season, especially from the back end.
After being the 2024 QMJHL Defenseman of the Year, this may be Komarov's last year in the Sabres organization to prove he can be a blue liner that can not only crack an NHL lineup, but also contribute in the time he's granted. Only time will tell, at this point.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres goalie Scott Ratzlaff makes a glove save on Dylan Dumont during practice at LECOM Harborcenter on Sept. 11, 2026, ahead of the Sabres Prospects Showcase against the Boston Bruins.Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Scott Ratzlaff
It was a rough outing for Ratzlaff in his 40 minutes of action in Sunday night's 6-2 drubbing by the Bruins.
The Bruins did throw 27 pucks in his direction over the course of two periods, but he did surrender five of Boston's six tallies by the time the horn sounded after 40 minutes of play. And a couple of the goals were tallies that Ratzlaff, if he could, would like to have back.
The 21-year-old is in a big year, as he looks to solidify a spot in Rochester full-time, as he competes with fellow young netminder Topias Leinonen to partner with AHL veteran Matt Villalta. While his results in the ECHL were relatively good, his play in the AHL left more to be desired.
The good news for him is he'll likely get the first crack at the job with Leinonen dealing with a lower-body ailment from offseason training that will back him up this training camp. If Ratzlaff can't find another gear to his game in goal, the Sabres may quickly move him down the rankings for goalies in the system by season's end.
Buffalo, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres goalie Samuel Meloche tracks a puck to his blocker during a game at the Sabres Prospects Showcase against the Boston Bruins on Sept. 15, 2026 at LECOM Harborcenter.Micheline Michaelina (@MiMiV4682)
Samuel Meloche
Then on Monday, the Sabres' 2025 fourth-round pick (116th overall) showed a lot of great composure in net, staying strong on a number of quality scoring chances for the Bruins over 60-plus minutes of action. Meloche was challenged with, at least, four clean-cut breakaway opportunities against Boston, and was positionally sound and ready to tackle each chance and make a save.
Of the four goals he surrendered to Hagens on Monday, Meloche did have three clean looks to make a save, and was beaten each time on the glove side. However - to give him some credit - he was facing an NHL level shot in competition he has maybe not seen in years past playing in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Despite getting beaten four times by one player, there was plenty to like with Meloche's performance, and he'll have room to build his game further with another year coming up in the QMJHL before making the jump to college hockey and playing with Northeastern University for the start of the 2027-28 season.
A number of the players playing in the showcase will either return to their junior teams after being an invitee to the tournament, or will now await training camp either in Buffalo or Rochester in the days ahead.
The Sabres officially open training camp on Thursday, with players reporting for the upcoming season on Wednesday.