The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. It was a combination of staff writers and over 600 readers that ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2022. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player.

Its so interesting to look at this years results compared to last years. We had a lot more responses, but the Sabres have also acquired a lot of seemingly solid prospects, too. Thats nowhere more evident than right here, where youll see two players who finished in last years top 25 and fell out this year.

Heres who is ranked #40 through #31.

Average Public Ranking: 38

Konecny bounced around a bit last year but spent the most team with HC Sparta Praha, where he put up seven points in 28 games. He also played for their U20 team and was loaned to both HC Bank Sokolov and HC Stadion Litomice, and skated in two games for Czechia at the cancelled World Juniors. He didnt make this summers roster.

Average Public Ranking: 37

Cederqvist is expected to make the jump to North America this year, after spending all of last season in the SHL. In 49 games last season with Djurgrdens IF, he put up 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. In four relegation games, he averaged a point-per-game.

Average Public Ranking: 36

Novikov appeared in 32 KHL games last season with Dynamo Moskva, accruing four points and six penalty minutes. He also skated in nine playoff games. Other than that, he skated in six games with MHK Dynamo Moskva - their junior team.

Average Public Ranking: 35

Neuchev had an impressing showing in the MHL (junior league) last season, putting up 67 points in just 61 games. His season included a 40-goal campaign and earned him a game in the KHL and five games in the VHL. Hes slated to return to juniors again this upcoming season.

Average Staff Ranking: 32Average Public Ranking: 40

Kozak still has some junior eligibility, so hell return to the WHLs Portland Winterhawks for another season as their captain this fall. Last year was his third full season with the team; he averaged over a point-per-game, with 69 points (32-37) in 66 regular season games. Check out this profile on Kozak from The Buffalo News.

Average Public Ranking: 32

Biro had an impressive campaign with the AHLs Rochester Americans last season. He played a strong, physical, offensive game, with 41 points (12-29) in just 48 regular-season games. He also made his NHL debut in one game. Biro signed a two-year deal with the Sabres earlier this summer with an AAV of $762,500.

Average Staff Ranking: 27Average Public Ranking: 39

Last season saw Costantini make the jump from juniors to the NCAA. He fared well in his freshman year, making the mark for 21 points in 35 games played. The 2020 fifth-round draft pick is set to return to Grand Forks for another collegiate season.

Last Years Ranking: 23Average Public Ranking: 31

After four seasons at Wisconsin, Weissbach made his AHL debut last season in 67 games with the Amerks. He had a fine season, with 37 points, but pales in comparison to other Rochester rookies like Quinn, Peterka and Biro. This is a contract year for him.

Average Public Ranking: 30

The first goalie on our list! Leinonens size is noteworthy, at 65 and 234 pounds. Theres a reason he was the first goalie taken in the 2022 draft and a reason the Sabres chose him so high. Last season, he appeared in 21 games with JYPs U20 team, putting up a .916 save percentage and 2.28 GAA. He also appeared in five games with Finlands U18 team.

Last Years Ranking: 17Average Staff Ranking: 28Average Public Ranking: 33

Laaksonen has fallen quite a bit in the Top 25 Under 25 standings, after finishing 17th last year. He appeared in 71 games with the Amerks this past season, accrued 34 points and 44 penalty minutes and is the only 2017 draft pick still in the Sabres organization who has yet to play in an NHL game.

Stay tuned for the rest of the list.

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2022 Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25: Works in Progress (40-31) - Die By The Blade