When the 2015 Sabres Development Camp roster came out Monday afternoon, there was an omission that raised some eyebrows, if ever so slightly in some quarters--LW, Gustav Possler. The 2013 5th round pick (130th overall) is still in his native Sweden while 46 other youngins are at the First Niagara Center getting themselves acclimated to their surroundings.
The 20 yr. old Possler sits a tad down the depth-chart on a
very thin left-side and of the top-three at that spot (Daniel Catennaci, William Carrier) he probably has the most pure talent.
As to why he's not at camp, there's been no definitive answer. According to Sweden's Allehanda.se, Possler initially refused to comment on the situation. In a loose translation he told Allehanda's Adam Johansson that he wouldn't be commenting on the situation other than to say that he feels good, he's not hurt and that he'll be training this summer for his upcoming season for MODO Hockey Ornskoldsvik.
SportsExpressen.se's Av Alexander Nilsson did a follow up with Possler situation and came up with the same results save for some ambiguity as to who's decision it was--Possler's, his agent or the Sabres. Clarity will come eventually as Possler said he may have been misunderstood in the Allehanda article. "I really don't know what happened," he said, "but there's really nothing to it." Nilsson would later tweet, "Possler declines NHL camp to focus on Modo: 'The best thing for me.'"
As with all things prospect-related, Kris Baker was kind enough to lend a bit of clarification to the situation (at least until an official announcement is made, if need be.) Baker pointed out that Possler has one more year on his MODO contract and even though Buffalo GM Tim Murray may have "tinkered with the idea of evaluating him at development camp, it's always been assumed that the plan was for him to play out his contract for MODO," Bakes told me.
After being drafted by the Sabres in 2013, Possler came out of MODO's 2013-14 training camp smoking. He scored eight goals and added seven assists in 22 games before succumbing to a serious knee injury (ACL.) He spent months rehabbing for 2014-15 and got off to a slow start on a very weak MODO team last season. But he finished strong and ended the year with 21 points (9+12) in 47 games placing him tied for third on the team (the leader had 25 pts.)
It would seem as if all sides are taking a "wait and see" approach to the situation as Possler fulfills his contract obligation for MODO. While he's in comfortable surroundings getting into his training routine, Murray and the Sabres can wait and see how things transpire for the 2015-16 season. Buffalo has a number of scouts over there who can keep Murray abreast of his progress as well as the progress of teammate, Victor Olofsson (2014, 181st.) Olofsson has been at development camp skating with 6'4" 200 lb. invitee Hampus Gustafsson at center and Vaclav Karabacek (2014, 49th) on the right side.
It will probably be a defining SHL season for Possler in the eyes of the Sabres as both player and team find out just what kind of impact the knee injury had on him. Although Baker said Possler's not "rehabbing," he will be expected add a little more bulk to his 5'11" 171 lb. frame. Adding bulk is pretty important to his future in the NHL. There's no doubt that the larger ice surface in Europe allows him plenty of room to overcome his smaller size, but when he gets to the NHL on a smaller ice-surface, he'll need the added bulk to overcome the tight quarters he'll be in on a nightly basis.
It might be something to keep an eye on this season.
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