Alex Nylander isn't quite ready for prime time.

The Buffalo Sabres assigned the 20-year-old forward to the AHL's Rochester Americans, the team announced Monday

It marks the third straight season that Nylander will begin in the minors.

In 51 games with the Americans last season, Nylander notched eight goals and 19 assists to finish just inside the top-10 in team scoring. He later added one goal across three appearances with the Sabres.

Buffalo selected Nylander with the eighth pick in the 2016 draft.

While Nylander is headed to the minors, former first-rounder Tage Thompson appears set to make Buffalo's final 23-man roster, according to The Athletic's John Vogl.

The Sabres acquired Thompson from the St. Louis Blues this offseason as part of the Ryan O'Reilly trade. In 30 games last season with the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, the Arizona native picked up eight goals and 10 assists. He added nine points in 41 games with the Blues.

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