The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games.
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#15 – Anton Wahlberg – Forward (Rochester – AHL)
Wahlberg was the Sabres second-round pick (39th overall) at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville. The Malmo, SWE native split time between his hometown junior-level and SHL club in his draft year, as well as playing for Sweden in the Five Nations and Under-18 World Championships. The big forward played the full year in the SHL and was linemates with Sabres 2022 first-rounder Noah Ostlund at the 2024 IIHF World Junior in Gothenburg, where he had three points in seven WJC games.
After scoring 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 43 games and completing the SHL campaign, Wahlberg came to North America to play with Rochester, where he fit in nicely in the AHL during his brief stint, with four points in nine regular-season games with the Amerks, and a goal in Rochester’s brief playoff appearance.
In his first full season in North America, Wahlberg finished with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 63 games, and made a big impression on the international stage, finishing third in scoring for Sweden with eight points (4 goals, 4 assists) in seven games at the 2025 World Junior in Ottawa, but went pointless in six playoff games.
The Sabres are looking for the 20-year-old to take a step forward offensively in Rochester, and Wahlberg should get more of an opportunity to play higher in the lineup with the turnover in the Amerks roster.
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