Buffalo Sabres sign Lukas Rousek to two-year contract

The Buffalo Sabres announced that they have signed forward Lukas Rousek to a two-year contract. The deal carries an AAV of $775,000 annually.

Rousek played 70 games this past season for the Rochester Americans, scoring 16 goals and 56 points, good for first on the team in assists and points. He was an integral part of the Americans team that went to game six of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Ostrov Nad Ohri, Czech Rep. native was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Sabres. At the time he was a relatively unknown prospect with unimpressive stats in the Czech League. He quickly proved himself to be a strong offensive player, scoring 14 goals and 29 points in 52 games for Sparta Praha the following season.

In 2020-21, he was again one of the top scorers for his team with 38 points in 49 games. Having nothing else to prove in Europe, he came to North America for the 2021-22 season, reporting to the Americans. He only ended up playing 19 games that season as he was sidelined with an ACL injury. Adjusting to a new team, language, and country can be difficult for anyone. As a results, Rousek posted unimpressive stats in his AHL rookie season, with a goal and four points.

He found his game in the playoffs with two goals and six points in 10 games, becoming a key contributor to the Americans’ offense. In 2022-23, the 24-year-old winger broke out and proved himself to be a prospect to keep an eye on in the Sabres’ organisation.

Rousek made his NHL debut and ended up scoring a goal and two points in two NHL games in Buffalo. The Sabres pipeline is full of young and talented players so it will certainly be a challenge for Rousek to make the NHL full-time this season.