Buffalo Sabres Hold Out Hope for Prokhor Poltapov’s NHL Future

Every NHL team has that one player who hovers in the realm of myth and reality—a name that resurfaces each offseason despite never having skated in a single NHL game. For the Buffalo Sabres, that player is Prokhor Poltapov.

Selected 33rd overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Russian winger has spent his entire post-draft career with CSKA Moscow, quietly crafting a respectable resume while becoming one of Buffalo’s longest-running enigmas. Four years after his name echoed through the draft hall, the intrigue surrounding Poltapov remains potent, yet the window for his long-anticipated arrival in Western New York is beginning to close.

Nevertheless, the Sabres have not lost faith. Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic recently reported that Buffalo continues to keep an eye on the 23-year-old forward and has not ruled out the possibility of bringing him across the Atlantic.

“He plays a hard, heavy game and is willing to get to the tough areas of the ice, so I imagine he’ll be a player Jarmo Kekalainen likes,” Fairburn noted. “The Sabres have remained in contact with him and show interest. But it’s hard to know what he will decide to do.”

Those last eight words could very well define Poltapov’s NHL trajectory. Outside of his inner circle, no one can accurately gauge whether testing his skills in North America remains part of his future.

Unlike many European prospects who make the leap in their early 20s, Poltapov has opted for continuity, signing a two-year extension with CSKA Moscow that keeps him in the KHL through the 2026-27 season. Buffalo will retain his NHL rights indefinitely, but time has a way of reshaping expectations.

Poltapov finds himself at a developmental crossroads. His last two seasons with CSKA Moscow have mirrored each other, following a 40-point campaign in 2024-25 (17 goals, 23 assists) with another 40-point season in 2025-26, finishing with 16 goals and 24 assists while again playing all 68 games.

This consistency highlights the reliability of his game, yet it provides little evidence of the offensive leap many anticipated from a former second-round pick. For a player nearing his mid-20s, maintaining production is commendable; however, a significant increase would have bolstered his NHL case considerably.

That said, Poltapov could still find another gear in Buffalo. A dynamic, attack-oriented Sabres roster might generate more offensive chances than he has encountered in Moscow. Yet, after several years of nearly identical stats, it’s reasonable to question whether his current ceiling is already becoming clear.

This reality is echoed in external projections. HockeyStats.com recently assigned Poltapov just a two percent chance of becoming a full-time NHL player—a figure that is not particularly encouraging.

Ironically, the Sabres’ roster could create the perfect opportunity if Poltapov ultimately decides to make the jump. Buffalo is set to have seven forwards reach free agency next summer, including unrestricted free agents Jason Zucker, Jordan Greenway, Sam Carrick, and Justin Danforth, as well as restricted free agents Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, and Jiri Kulich.

This level of turnover almost guarantees significant competition for roster spots heading into the 2027-28 season. From a timing perspective, it might present Poltapov’s best chance yet.

Rather than trying to integrate into a well-established roster, he could arrive during a transitional offseason when meaningful NHL jobs are up for grabs. The question remains, however, whether this is the role he envisions for himself.

If the Sabres view him solely as organizational depth, capable of toggling between Buffalo and Rochester, staying in Russia might be the more attractive option. Conversely, if management believes he can compete for a middle-six role right away, the narrative shifts dramatically.

The coming months could yield critical insights. Poltapov signed his previous extension with CSKA Moscow early in the 2021-22 season. Should another long-term deal emerge this summer or shortly after the new KHL campaign begins, it would likely signal a commitment to remaining overseas.

However, if negotiations stall, the anticipation surrounding Buffalo’s most intriguing prospect saga will only intensify. For years, Poltapov has occupied a unique space within the Sabres fanbase—a player who has become something of a folk hero without ever donning the Blue and Gold. Whether he ultimately arrives as a legitimate NHL contributor or remains one of the franchise’s great unanswered “what ifs,” the next chapter of his story appears poised to unfold.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.