The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the best deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

#37 - Norwin Panocha – Defense (Eisbaren Berlin - DEL)  

Drafted 205th overall out of the junior level of Eisbaren Berlin of the DEL at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, the 6’2”, 190 lb. defenseman opted to come to North America and play for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL instead of staying in Germany. In his first season, Panocha finished with 15 assists in 52 regular season games and had one assist in eight playoff games for the Sagueneens, but last month the 19-year-old blueliner was released.

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After being selected in the CHL Import Draft by Prince Albert, Panocha moved to the Western Hockey League to play for the Raiders this upcoming season, but played only 3 games before he was dropped again. After a brief stop playing with Green Bay in the USHL and playing for Germany in his second straight WJC, Panocha returned home to play for Berlin, where he finished with two assists in 16 DEL games.

The 20-year-old was at the Sabres Development Camp in July, and is expected to play another year for Eisbaren. 

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