Neuchev was off to a decent start to his sophomore AHL campaign before an injury in February held him out for the rest of the season. In 39 games, he managed seven goals, 15 assists and 22 points. His shooting attempts per game moved from one-and-a-half per game as a rookie to just under two-and-a-half this year. His play-driving metrics improved, with nine of his 14 assists being primary. His shooting percentage took a dip from 12.4% to 7.5% year-over-year, suggesting he could have had a few more goals under his belt with equal puck luck as he saw a year before. Neuchev was sitting with an 85.7% IPP up to the time of his injury, and though he was in a bit of a slump before his season ended, he took some solid steps forward. He doesn’t look like he will be a lock for top-six offensive deployment at the NHL level yet, but he is still 21, and has lots of runway left. He would be a worthwhile farm stash in deep enough leagues to see how he starts the new season once he has recovered.

Neuchev’s rookie campaign in the AHL was a relative success, as he recorded eleven goals and 28 points in 57 regular season games. After just five points in his first 21 games, he surged with 11 points in his next eight performances. After another scoreless streak, he strung together nine points in a span of 10 games between March and early April. Improved consistency is the key to his continued development in the AHL.

Neuchev was promoted full-time to the KHL in his D+1 season after playing his draft season with Yekaterinburg’s MHL affiliate. As a 19-year-old rookie with the Yekaterinburg KHL club, he tallied four goals and 12 points in 57 appearances with an average of 9:33 of ice time per game. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres in May 2023.

Neuchev was drafted 74th overall by the Buffalo Sabres.

Neuchev has been creeping up draft boards as the season went on, mainly due to improving performances. He earned 24 more goals than the second-highest goal-scorer on his team, and 27 more points as well. The prospect also leads all MHL draft-eligibles in goals by 10, and in points by 13.