Andrei Buyalsky

May 2023 – After playing only 3 games in 2021-22 with no public explanation, Buyalsky had himself a nice return to action for the University of Vermont in 2022-23. His 18 points in 34 games as essentially a rookie is not a bad stat line, especially considering that this placed second on his squad and he was not playing alongside any high-profile prospects of note. Now listed at 190 lbs by the university (up from 175), the centerman is approaching a true playing weight which hasn’t appeared to hinder his game so far. Fantasy owners would love to see what he could do on a stronger team with some star linemates, but for now we will wait and see if he can take one more steps forward with the Catamounts in 2023-24 and earn himself a pro contract. Hayden Soboleski

February 2022 – Buyalsky is missing in action from the University of Vermont lineup. He has not played since October but there is no information available from the institution on whether this absence is injury-related, Covid-related, or if he is still present at the school. This is obviously an unfortunate loss of development opportunity and certainly makes him more of a long-term own in fantasy hockey. Hayden Soboleski

July 2021 – The Avalanche have selected Buyalsky in the 3rd round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. This was earlier than he was expected to be called, ranked in the 4th round by publications which included him.

Buyalsky is an over-age prospect; as a 20-year-old he had been passed over in the two previous drafts. Playing in Kazakhstan likely limited his time in front of scouts, but that changed in 2020 when he transitioned to the USHL where (as a 6-3 over-ager) he put up 15 goals and 32 points in 36 contests. His size is an asset especially as a centerman, however he isn’t always assertive with his size and he needs to add weight to his 174lb frame.  His fantasy potential is high thanks to his immediate  point-per-game impact and shoot-first mentality, but the simmer time will be long for this soup. He has committed to the University of Vermont in the NCAA for the 2021-22 campaign. Hayden Soboleski