Though there was not a report yesterday, Buffalo Sabres prospect Vaclav Karabacek has now cleared unconditional waivers and will see his contract terminated according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet. Karabacek played just a single game in the AHL last season, instead suiting up for the majority of the year in the ECHL.
Selected in the second round in 2014, Karabecek has been used as an example of former Sabres GM Tim Murray’s relatively poor draft history. In 2014, just a few months after taking over the team, Murray had the opportunity to select six players in the first three rounds of the draft including four in the top 50 overall. Other than Sam Reinhart, selected second overall after Aaron Ekblad, no other player from that draft class has suited up for the Sabres so far. In fact only Brendan Lemieux (31st overall) has played in the NHL, getting into nine contests for the Winnipeg Jets last season.
While there is obviously so much more to take into account when grading any front office, the 2014 draft for the Sabres looks especially bare—even more so now that Karabacek will be released. The 22 year old will become an unrestricted free agent, and could very well return to the Czech Republic to continue his professional career. Even in the ECHL last season the forward was held without a goal in 28 games.
There was little chance that Karabacek was ever going to be an impact player for the Sabres organization, and given that the team was sitting at 48 contracts it makes sense for the new front office to move on. Buffalo will open up a contract spot that could be used on a camp invitee or college free agent down the road, which is actually an asset in itself as they look to add talent from wherever possible.