Jiri Kulich
| Position | Center / Left Wing | Current Team | Buffalo Sabres |
| Shoots | Left | Current Contract | 3 years |
| Height | 6'1" | Expires | 2026-27 |
| Weight (lbs) | 193 | Expiry Age (Jun 30) | 23 |
| Age | 21 (Apr 14, 2004) | Expiry Status | RFA |
| Drafted | 2022, Round 1, Overall 28 (BUF) |
| Date | Team | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2025 | Buffalo Sabres | Assigned to AHL | |
| Jan 20, 2025 | Buffalo Sabres | Activated from IR | |
| Jan 8, 2025 | Buffalo Sabres | Placed on IR | |
| Nov 16, 2024 | Buffalo Sabres | Recalled from AHL | |
| Nov 5, 2024 | Buffalo Sabres | Assigned to AHL | |
| Jul 15, 2022 | Buffalo Sabres | Signed to an entry level contract. |
5v5 Individual Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | G/60 | A/60 | Pts/60 | xG/60 | GAE/60 | Sh% | xSh% | Sh%AE | %SA Rush | %SA Reb. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | BUF | 1 | 14:17 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.05 | -0.05 | 0.00 | 1.30 | -1.30 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 62 | 770:03 | 1.01 | 0.62 | 1.64 | 0.87 | 0.14 | 11.93 | 10.24 | 1.68 | 2.53 | 11.39 |
| 2025-26 | BUF | 4 | 51:50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.32 | -0.32 | 0.00 | 6.97 | -6.97 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
5v5 On Ice Stats
| Season | Team(s) | GP | TOI | SAF/60 | GF/60 | xGF/60 | SAA/60 | GA/60 | xGA/60 | GF% | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | BUF | 1 | 14:17 | 12.60 | 0.00 | 0.90 | 25.20 | 0.00 | 0.90 | - | 50.01 | -0.05 | -3.45 | 32.03 |
| 2024-25 | BUF | 62 | 770:03 | 46.75 | 3.12 | 2.68 | 44.57 | 3.04 | 2.64 | 50.63 | 50.31 | 0.38 | 0.15 | 2.39 |
| 2025-26 | BUF | 4 | 51:50 | 38.20 | 0.00 | 1.08 | 55.56 | 5.79 | 2.87 | 0.00 | 27.28 | -1.16 | 0.65 | -22.88 |
NHL Edge Stats
| Skating | Shooting | Zone Time | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | GP | Top Speed | Bursts>20/mi | Avg. Speed | ES Avg. Speed | Top Speed | Avg. Speed | %Long Range | %Mid Range | %High Danger | ES DZ% | ES NZ% | ES OZ% | 2021-22 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2022-23 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2023-24 | 1 | 20.8 | 0.4 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| 2024-25 | 62 | 22.3 | 0.9 | 10.0 | 10.1 | 90.2 | 63.1 | 16.5 | 47.7 | 35.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| 2025-26 | 4 | 21.9 | 0.6 | 9.9 | 10.3 | 81.1 | 57.9 | 14.3 | 57.1 | 28.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
Legend
| Percentile 0-25 | Percentile 25-50 | Percentile 50-75 | Percentile 75-100 |
5v5 Lines
| Season | Teammate | Teammate | Team | TOI | GF/60 | GA/60 | GF% | xGF/60 | xGA/60 | xGF% | xGF Rel | xGA Rel | xGF% Rel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | BUF | 6.47 | 3.43 | 65.38 | 3.14 | 2.84 | 52.52 | 0.76 | 0.31 | 4.04 | |||
| 2024-25 | BUF | 3.96 | 3.17 | 55.56 | 2.78 | 2.24 | 55.37 | 0.50 | -0.40 | 9.09 | |||
| 2024-25 | BUF | 3.07 | 2.05 | 60.00 | 3.01 | 2.44 | 55.25 | 0.66 | -0.13 | 7.41 | |||
| 2024-25 | BUF | 2.37 | 1.19 | 66.67 | 1.99 | 3.16 | 38.59 | -0.32 | 0.76 | -10.37 | |||
| 2024-25 | BUF | 0.00 | 0.00 | - | 3.44 | 2.30 | 59.93 | 1.16 | -0.37 | 13.80 | |||
| 2024-25 | BUF | 2.00 | 0.00 | 100.00 | 3.65 | 1.84 | 66.52 | 1.32 | -0.66 | 18.22 | |||
| 2024-25 | BUF | 0.00 | 2.25 | 0.00 | 2.10 | 2.61 | 44.53 | -0.25 | 0.01 | -2.80 |
Glossary
| Type | Statistic | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | G/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | A/60 | Assists per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | Pts/60 | Points per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | xG/60 | Expected Goals per 60 minutes. |
| Individual | GAE/60 | Goals Above Expected (G/60 - xG/60). |
| Individual | Sh% | Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | xSh% | Expected Shooting Percentage. |
| Individual | Sh%AE | Shooting percentage above expected (Sh% - xSh%). |
| Individual | %SA Rush | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be on the rush. |
| Individual | %SA Reb. | Percentage of shot attempts determined to be from rebounds. |
| On Ice | SAF/60 | Shot Attempts For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | GF/60 | Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | xGF/60 | Expected Goals For per 60 minutes. |
| On Ice | SAA/60 | Shot Attempts Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GA/60 | Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGA/60 | Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (lower is better). |
| On Ice | GF% | Goals For Percentage = Goals For / (Goals For + Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF% | Expected Goals For Percentage = Expected Goals For / (Expected Goals For + Expected Goals Against) |
| On Ice | xGF Rel | xGF/60 when On Ice - xGF/60 when not On Ice. |
| On Ice | xGA Rel | xGA/60 when On Ice - xGA/60 when not On Ice (lower is better). |
| On Ice | xGF% Rel | xGF% when On Ice - xGF% when not On Ice. |
News and Opinions
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The Next Big Thing? Josh Doan is already turning heads for the Buffalo Sabres at Sabres Noise (Thu Oct 16, 2025)
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Sabres make lineup decision on disappointing Jiri Kulich at Sabres Space (Thu Oct 16, 2025)
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Sens Crumble in 2nd Period, Lose 8-4 to Sabres at Silver Seven Sens (Thu Oct 16, 2025)
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NOtt-a-wa Chance, Sabres Blast the Senators at Die by the Blade (Thu Oct 16, 2025)
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Line Combinations: Senators And Sabres Meet In Buffalo, Both Desperate For A Win at Yahoo Sports NHL (Wed Oct 15, 2025)
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Projected Lineups for Senators vs Sabres – 10/15/25 at The Hockey Writers (Wed Oct 15, 2025)
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Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod, other forwards struggling early; Alexandar Georgiev practices with Rochester at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Wed Oct 15, 2025)
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Sabres could scratch Jiri Kulich: ‘Hasn’t been good enough’ at Sabres Space (Wed Oct 15, 2025)
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Sabres could scratch Jiri Kulich: ‘Hasn’t been good enough’ at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Tue Oct 14, 2025)
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After brief hospitalization, Sabres’ Zach Benson ready to play; UPL, Jordan Greenway also return practice at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Tue Oct 14, 2025)
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Lindy Ruff delivers wake-up call to Jiri Kulich amid Sabres line changes at Sabres Noise (Tue Oct 14, 2025)
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Sabres’ Josh Norris Faces Another Setback in Injury-Plagued Career at The Hockey Writers (Mon Oct 13, 2025)
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Bold line predictions the Buffalo Sabres must make before game against Avalanche at Sabres Noise (Sun Oct 12, 2025)
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Injury-Plagued Sabres Having Worst-Case-Scenario Start To Season at Yahoo Sports NHL (Sun Oct 12, 2025)
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Reconstruction du CH : les petites erreurs de 2022… at Dans Les Coulisses (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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Norris Out Long-Term After Being Injured In Opener at Yahoo Sports NHL (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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Rasmus Dahlin must lead the Buffalo Sabres past one-game concern against Bruins at Sabres Noise (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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3 Changes Sabres Need to Make After Embarrassing Home Opener at The Hockey Writers (Sat Oct 11, 2025)
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Sabres’ Josh Norris out injured; Zach Benson to leave hospital at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Fri Oct 10, 2025)
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Rangers Shut Out Sabres 4-0 at The Hockey Writers (Fri Oct 10, 2025)
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Game #1 Preview & Open Thread: Rangers vs. Sabres at Die by the Blade (Thu Oct 9, 2025)
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4 Buffalo Sabres with a great opportunity in the season opener against Rangers at Sabres Noise (Thu Oct 9, 2025)
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Ranking all 48 Buffalo Sabres players based on 2025-26 NHL trade value at Sabres Noise (Tue Oct 7, 2025)
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Predict the 2025-26 Buffalo Sabres at Die by the Blade (Mon Oct 6, 2025)
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3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ Overtime Loss vs. Penguins at The Hockey Writers (Sat Oct 4, 2025)
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Revisiting the Canadiens’ 2022 Draft Class at The Hockey Writers (Sat Oct 4, 2025)
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Jiri Kulich hoping to take next step in first full season with Sabres at Sabres Space (Fri Oct 3, 2025)
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3 Sabres Players That Need to Take the Next Step in 2025-26 Season at The Hockey Writers (Thu Oct 2, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres’ Jiri Kulich returns to comfort zone at center after preseason injury at Sabres Space (Thu Oct 2, 2025)
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Power’s Absence Further Depleting Sabres Defense at Yahoo Sports NHL (Wed Oct 1, 2025)
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Sabres lose Owen Power to injury; Jiri Kulich ready to play at Sabres Space (Wed Oct 1, 2025)
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Sabres News & Rumours: Injuries, Waivers & Ready for Opening Night at The Hockey Writers (Tue Sep 30, 2025)
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Sabres lose Owen Power to injury; Jiri Kulich ready to play at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Tue Sep 30, 2025)
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3 bold predictions that could define the Sabres’ 2025-26 season at Sabres Noise (Tue Sep 30, 2025)
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Sabres Roster Battles In The Final Week Of Camp at Yahoo Sports NHL (Mon Sep 29, 2025)
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Sabres’ Prospect Konsta Helenius Could Make Opening Night Roster at The Hockey Writers (Sat Sep 27, 2025)
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Sabres preseason: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practices; Jiri Kulich injured at Sabres Space (Fri Sep 26, 2025)
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Sabres preseason: goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen practices; Jiri Kulich injured at Buffalo Hockey Beat (Thu Sep 25, 2025)
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Sabres Need Too Many Things to Go Right for Playoffs to Be Reasonable at The Hockey Writers (Wed Sep 24, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres preseason opener raises concerns about key forward line at Sabres Noise (Tue Sep 23, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres' Josh Norris talks injury-prone label: 'It's in the past' at Sabres Noise (Tue Sep 23, 2025)
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Recapping the Sabres’ Intrasquad Practice & Preseason Preview at The Hockey Writers (Mon Sep 22, 2025)
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Sabres at Blue Jackets: Preview & Open Thread at Die by the Blade (Mon Sep 22, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25: #2 Zach Benson at Die by the Blade (Fri Sep 19, 2025)
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Alex Tuch's absence gives Buffalo Sabres chance to try different forward combinations at Sabres Noise (Thu Sep 18, 2025)
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I asked AI to predict the Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 lineup. Here are the results at Sabres Noise (Tue Sep 16, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25: #4: Jiri Kulich at Die by the Blade (Mon Sep 15, 2025)
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Sabres 2025-26 Player Expectations: Exciting Young Center Kulich Has Good Chance To Be Special NHLer For Buffalo at Yahoo Sports NHL (Sun Sep 14, 2025)
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Which Sabres Will Face the Most Pressure in Training Camp? at The Hockey Writers (Fri Sep 12, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres rising star named 2025-26 fantasy hockey sleeper target at Sabres Noise (Wed Sep 10, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres’ 5 Best-Case Scenarios for 2025-26 at The Hockey Writers (Wed Sep 10, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres 2025-26 Season Preview: Forwards at The Hockey Writers (Wed Sep 10, 2025)
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3 Keys to Breaking the Sabres’ Playoff Drought in 2025–26 at The Hockey Writers (Tue Sep 9, 2025)
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Projected Buffalo Sabres lines, defense pairs for 2025 training camp at Sabres Noise (Tue Sep 9, 2025)
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Predicting the Sabres’ Major Stat Category Leaders for 2025-26 at The Hockey Writers (Tue Sep 9, 2025)
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4 Buffalo Sabres players who could lose it all in training camp at Sabres Noise (Tue Sep 9, 2025)
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Is Sabres prospect Konsta Helenius ready for an NHL role in 2025-26? at Sabres Noise (Thu Sep 4, 2025)
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Comparing every Sabres player to a member of the NFL's Buffalo Bills at Sabres Noise (Thu Sep 4, 2025)
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Red Wings patched up roster faster and smarter than Sabres this summer at Octopus Thrower (Wed Sep 3, 2025)
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Buffalo Sabres have options with how they build their top line with Tage Thompson at Sabres Noise (Mon Sep 1, 2025)
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Sabres star talks NHL growing pains: 'I never played defense before' at Sabres Noise (Wed Aug 27, 2025)
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How Buffalo Sabres' center talent stacks up in 2025-26 NHL rankings at Sabres Noise (Mon Aug 25, 2025)
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Young Buffalo Sabres Who Need to Make a Big Impact at The Hockey Writers (Sun Aug 24, 2025)
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Qui possède l’attaque la plus redoutable de l’Atlantique? at HABSolument Fan (Wed Aug 20, 2025)
Current Contract
Entry Level Contract ( ) (0 ratings)
Career Statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | League | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM | Shots | Sh% | TOI/G |
| 2017-18 | Czechia U16 | Pirati Chomutov U16 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 2 | |||||||||
| 2018-19 | Czechia U16 | Pirati Chomutov U16 | 35 | 21 | 27 | 48 | +30 | 39 | ||||||||||||
| 2018-19 | MMCR | Ustecky kraj U15 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | |||||||||||||
| 2019-20 | DHL Cup | Pirati Chomutov U20 | 20 | 1 | 7 | 8 | +3 | 8 | ||||||||||||
| 2019-20 | Czechia U17 | Pirati Chomutov U17 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 39 | +17 | 8 | ||||||||||||
| 2019-20 | Czechia U17 2 | Pirati Chomutov B U17 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| 2020-21 | Czechia2 | SK Trhaci Kadan | 10 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2020-21 | Czechia | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -5 | |||||||||||||
| 2020-21 | Czechia U20 | Pirati Chomutov U20 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | +3 | |||||||||||||
| 2020-21 | WJC-18 | Czechia U18 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | |||||||||||||
| 2020-21 | Czechia U17 | Pirati Chomutov U17 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +1 | |||||||||||||
| 2021-22 | WJC-20 | Czechia U20 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 8 | +5 | |||||||||||||
| 2021-22 | WJC-18 | Czechia U18 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 11 | -6 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2021-22 | Hlinka Gretzky Cup | Czechia U18 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +1 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2021-22 | Czechia U20 | HC Energie Karlovy Vary U20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | +3 | |||||||
| 2021-22 | Czechia | HC Energie Karlovy Vary | 49 | 9 | 5 | 14 | +7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| 2022-23 | WJC-20 | Czechia U20 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 9 | +10 | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2022-23 | AHL | Rochester Americans | 62 | 24 | 22 | 46 | -7 | 18 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 11 | +1 | 2 | ||||||
| 2023-24 | WJC-20 | Czechia U20 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 12 | +3 | |||||||||||||
| 2023-24 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0.0 | 14:53 | ||||||||||
| 2023-24 | AHL | Rochester Americans | 57 | 27 | 18 | 45 | +2 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 2 | -8 | 4 | |||||||
| 2024-25 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 62 | 15 | 9 | 24 | -4 | 18 | 134 | 11.2 | 14:48 | |||||||||
| 2024-25 | AHL | Rochester Americans | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | +6 | 4 | ||||||||
| 2025-26 | NHL | Buffalo Sabres | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -6 | 2 | 8 | 12.5 | 16:23 | |||||||||
| NHL Career | 67 | 16 | 9 | 25 | -11 | 20 | 143 | 11.2 | 14:53 | |||||||||||