Right Wing--Hudson Fasching
DOB: July 28, 1995 (Age, 22)
Draft: 2013, 4th round (118th-overall)
How acquired: Trade with LA Kings, March 4, 2014
Last contract signed: March 21, 2016, 3 yr./$4.05 million (w/bonuses)
Final year of contract: 2017-18
2017-18 Stats: 5 games played | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -1 | 9:42 ATOI
Buffalo Career Stats: 22 games | 1 goal | 2 assists | 3 points | even | 10:36 ATOI
What we wrote preseason: Made the team out of camp last season, but was injured. Has a good shot of making the Sabres once again albeit because of his skating, probably in a bottom-six role.
What we wrote mid-season: Is the latest prospect to get the call to Buffalo and like many who've been called up only to be sent down, Fasching impressed the first couple games but then regressed to the point where he's been a healthy scratch. The work they're doing in Rochester seems to be working in some aspects. As mentioned, Rodrigues continued to produce at the NHL-level and Fasching, although point-less so far, looks like a better, faster player this year in Buffalo as opposed to last season. But, he has to produce if he wants to stay in the lineup.
Impressions on his play this year: Fasching was a part of Tim Murray's first trade in Buffalo as the first-time GM put an emphasis on western conference-style "heavies." In three seasons the 6'3" 205 lb. winger has gotten little tastes of the NHL but has been unable to stick with the Sabres. He seems to do what nearly every prospect has done for the past few seasons--make and impression the first game or two then fade into oblivion before heading back to Rochester.
Fasching has a great net front presence and is hard on the forecheck, but lacks NHL speed. He's said to have been working on that the past few off seasons and there has been some progress, albeit not nearly enough with the way the game is played today. He needs to compensate for that in other areas, such as production in and around the net and to this point he's not been able to do so even at the AHL level. At 22 yrs. old, Fasching's upside is diminishing and so may the Sabres patience with him.
GM Jason Botterill has no ties to Fasching and the big powerforward doesn't look like his type of player to begin with. As an RFA who's no longer waiver-exempt there are questions as to whether or not he'll be a Sabre next season.
Questions moving forward: How much upside does he have? Can he improve a bit more on his skating? Can he get to those dirty areas and produce more? Can he do so at the NHL-level for more than a game or two? Is any remaining upside worthy of a contract spot? Will he be part of a trade? Or will he simply not be qualified and allowed to walk?
Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.
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