This season has presented significant opportunities for Buffalo Sabres forward Jiri Kulich. When the Sabres season ended on April 17th, the talented prospect was sent to Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Kulich was assigned to the Amerks to gain postseason experience. He has been a key contributor for Rochester in the team’s quest for a Calder Cup Championship.
In six playoff appearances down on the farm this spring, the 21-year-old has delivered eight points (2 goals, 6 assists). It has been quite a year for the native of Kadan, Czechia. In sixty-two appearances with the Sabres during the 2024-25 regular season, Kulich scored 24 points (15 goals, 9 assists).
Kulich began the season on the wing in Buffalo, but as the campaign progressed, he found himself centering top-line combinations.
“ He had a tremendous rookie season overall,” said Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams. “To me, he’s definitely a center. Sometimes guys can slide over to the wing. He proved he can play center. He’s a very sound defensive player. Lindy(Ruff) had him a lot of nights matching up against the other team’s top lines. That’s a pretty hard thing to do in this league as a twenty-year-old playing center. Impressive.”
While participating in the World Championships was also an option, Adams and Ruff felt that Rochester was the best spot for Kulich at this time.
“He’s 20 years old and I feel that Rochester has a really good team and an opportunity to do something really special,” explained Adams.
Kulich has embraced the challenges given to him by Ruff.
“You go back to the early part of the year when we slid him in the middle when Tage was out,” recalled Ruff. “He really played well in that little segment, which made me feel like this kid should be playing center. Later in the year, the defensive numbers with him playing against top lines and playing in the middle were so good. Playing alongside Thompson, Tage’s numbers were better on the wing with him there than anybody else. His defensive reads and what he was doing defensively made it a matchup that started making us better on the road. I could play them (Kulich and Thompson) against top lines, and the production was still there on the offensive side. He basically made the decision for me, the way he played and how effective he was being.”
For Kulich, he is focused on what he has been asked to do and making the most of his time in Rochester and improve his game.
“That’s why I’m here, to help the team win,” said Kulich.
“We (Kulich and Ruff) were talking about the last game against Philly.” Buffalo’s final game of the season. “When it was six-on-five and I was on the ice and I just ripped on the puck from nowhere right to the ‘D”. They had a scoring chance, I think they maybe scored. I’m making sure that right now that it’s not going to happen anymore and to be more calm in the corners too.
Kulik will be an even better player next season for all the experience he has gained in 24-25.
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Thanks Dave.
Do you think Buffalo might be interested in Rasmus Andersson from the Flames? Right shot D, tons of leadership, on a cap friendly contract for another year. He’s currently captaining team Sweden at the World championship. What would be a fair return for him?
I think the Sabres would be very interested in Andersson, especially if they felt they could extend his contract. As for compensation, Krebs may be of interest to the flames. Buffalo could add a prospect or draft pick to the deal. The Sabres have a significant number of highly regarded prospects in the system. So many in fact, that there will not be roster spots open for all of them. Thank you so much for reading the blog and asking the question.