Report: Top prospect rejects Sabres, will stay in Sweden

Buffalo Sabres prospect Rasmus Asplund has informed the team that he will not be signing a contract this offseason and will instead remain in Sweden to play for Farjestads for the 2017-18 season. 

Asplund was selected by the Sabres with the 33rd overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, a draft pick that the team acquired from the Florida Panthers in the Dmitry Kulikov trade. In 39 games with Fajestads of the SEL last season, Asplund produced six goals and 19 points and looked ready to make the jump to pro hockey in North America. But, according to an NBC Sports report, the young Swede’s concerns over Buffalo’s coaching and management situation put his plans on hold.

“It’s very turbulent in Buffalo right now, considering that they will have new coaches in both NHL and AHL,” Asplund said, according to Translate.Google.com. “They want to have as many contract places as possible as they get together both NHL and AHL troops. And because I would not have played in NHL or AHL next season, there’s no need to mess up now.”

Asplund, of course, was drafted by former Sabres general manager Tim Murray, so it’s possible that his unfamiliarity with the team’s new regime factored into his decision to stay home for the time being.