Prospect Info: Maxim Strbak, RD, Sioux Falls (USHL) - Selection 45OA, 2023

[Chainshot]

The development of a defensive dman won't be pretty with points, but this kid once developed is going to be EXACTLY what Buffalo needs.

He and Komarov are the RHD they need in the system who can be steady stay-at-home guys with some snarl in puck battles that all the more offensively minded d-men can use as partners. I'm interested to see how those two (and the lefty Novikov) develop over the next couple years.

 

[Chainshot]

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I really like this kid. Hope he becomes a long time player in our top 4

 

[paulmm3]

Good we got another Michigan State prospect in Pat Geary to keep Strbak company. Keep talking about Buffalo and build the expectation of being here. Like him as a prospect and think he can help in a couple of years. Always a little worried about taking NCAA guys who are expected to stay in school for a while

 

[Chainshot]

Funniest moment of the 3-on-3, non-contact dev camp tournament was him throwing an elbow to create space while he had the puck in the offensive zone.

 

[joshjull]

Good we got another Michigan State prospect in Pat Geary to keep Strbak company. Keep talking about Buffalo and build the expectation of being here. Like him as a prospect and think he can help in a couple of years. Always a little worried about taking NCAA guys who are expected to stay in school for a while

Even better they’re roommates. Or at least they were last season.

 

[elchud]

One more year at MSU and then Sterby replaces Joker on the team.

 

[Gras]

One more year at MSU and then Sterby replaces Joker on the team.

I think you mean Komarov

 

[Matt Ress]

I think you mean Komarov

I don't know Russian but I think it's spelled Novikov

Only because he's a year ahead in development.
All good defenders.
I see Novikov as more steady offensively but maybe not a ton of flash.

Komarov I see as the opposite but the sky is the limit if he can fix his wheels.

Maxim that modern steady, reliable bottom pairing guy that doesn't play hot potato but won't rack up a bunch of points.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

Funniest moment of the 3-on-3, non-contact dev camp tournament was him throwing an elbow to create space while he had the puck in the offensive zone.

Along with being funny, I loved the desire to make a play and doing what it takes

 

[Zman5778]

One more year at MSU and then Sterby replaces Joker on the team.

I can't imagine Strbak not needing some time in Rochester. Personally, I think it'll be the Samuelsson plan. 2 years in the NCAA, half-to-full year in Rochester and then doesn't look back

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Given how slow his start was he’ll need to come out of gate blasting to bypass the AHL. I don’t see it happening.

 

[old kummelweck]

Strbak, Sabres excited for next step in development at Michigan State | NHL.com

Defenseman prospect looks to grow offensive game after helping win Big Ten championship as freshman

www.nhl.com

 

[Misko]

I don't think Strbak is ever going to pop off the score sheet. I think he might have some offensive potential still as shown by his sharp production increase when playing for Slovakia, but I think he settles in as a defensive stay at home type of player. I still stand by that his closest comparable is probably a slightly shorter but equally as effective Erik Cernak type of player. Expect 10-20pts from him a season at the NHL level at best but likely a beast on the PK and defensive side of the game who will be a nightmare to play against for opponents. Watched him play in college a bit last season and there's no denying his smarts and stamina when it comes to defending. Saw him play a full 4 minute PK without looking particularly gassed, the guy was still blocking and checking at the end of that shift and completed a successful kill. Stuff like that is his bread and butter and he'll be a warrior at the NHL level, a type of dman that every team loves to have.

I can see Strbak make the NHL after another year of college and then a year in Rochester, kind of like Sammy, and then I envision him as being a mainstay RHD anchor on the 2nd or 3rd pair.

It's worth noting that with Levshunov going pro, Strbak is now likely going to be Michigan's #1 dman. This is going to be a big year for him development wise and if he runs away with the increased icetime and opportunity by growing his offensive game, he's going to be a prospect to keep an eye on.

 

[Jim Bob]

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