Mrtka is expected to play full-time with AHL Rochester during the 2026-27 campaign, per Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times Herald.
While the 19-year-old Mrtka was rumored to be expendable during the 2026 trade deadline if Colton Parayko was made available, he's expected to stick around in Buffalo's organization with AHL Rochester to begin the season. However, the 19-year-old blueliner can still return to the WHL if it is considered the best route for his development. The ninth overall selection from the 2025 NHL Entry Draft flashed his offensive skills at the junior level last season with a goal and 33 assists across 43 regular-season appearances with WHL Seattle. Mrtka profiles more as a defensive force and will look to carve out a regular role in the AHL ahead of his age-20 campaign, but he also has a chance to debut in the NHL by the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
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Sabres' Radim Mrtka: Distributes four helpers in WHL win
Rotowire
Mrtka notched four assists in WHL Seattle's 7-3 win over Brandon on Tuesday.
Mrtka has been dishing lately with eight helpers over his last five games. For the season, he's up to one goal, 23 assists and 36 shots on net over 20 WHL appearances. He's projected to be more of a shutdown defenseman as a professional, though he could offer some sneaky scoring in short bursts.
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Sabres' Radim Mrtka: Logs three assists
Rotowire
Mrtka registered three assists in WHL Seattle's 5-3 win over Portland on Saturday.
Mrtka picked up his first points in two games since returning from the World Junior Championship. He was held without a point in five tournament games for Slovakia. In the WHL, he's up to a goal and 18 helpers over 16 appearances. The Sabres prospect got a taste of AHL action this year, but the 18-year-old could return to the junior ranks in 2026-27 as well.
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Sabres' Radim Mrtka: Three helpers Saturday
Rotowire
Mrtka notched three assists in WHL Seattle's 7-3 win over Vancouver on Saturday.
Mrtka has settled right back in for the Thunderbirds with six assists over five games since he was transferred back to the junior team from AHL Rochester. The Sabres prospect will continue to lead the blue line in Seattle for the remainder of 2025-26. As an import player, he will be eligible to suit up in the AHL before he's 20 years old, and that could lead to him playing for Rochester in 2026-27, as he probably doesn't have much left to learn in junior hockey.
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Sabres' Radim Mrtka: Moves to WHL team
Rotowire
Mrtka was loaned from AHL Rochester to WHL Seattle on Friday.
Mrtka got a taste of AHL action, earning one assist and seven PIM in four appearances. The Sabres decided it would be better for him to develop at a lower level for 2025-26, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the Czech defenseman get another look in Rochester for 2026-27.
