Tim Schaller
| Birthday: 1990-11-16 | Position: C |
| Eligible for draft: 2009 | Shoots: Left |
| Drafted: | Height: 6-2 |
| Acquired: Free agent signing, 2013 | Weight: 209 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2007-08: Tim Schaller played 44 games for the New England Junior Huskies in the EJHL. He scored 8 goals with 25 assists and had 33 penalty minutes.
2008-09: Schaller was a team captain for the New England Junior Huskies in his second season. In 45 games he scored 16 goals with 23 assists and had 54 penalty minutes. The Huskies reached the EJHL playoffs and Schaller had 1 assist in two games. In January he committed to playing college hockey at Providence in 2009-10.
2009-10: Schaller played 33 games for Providence in his freshman season. Centering the third and fourth lines, he scored 2 goals with 3 assists and was -3 with 40 penalty minutes. The Friars finished last in Hockey East; winning ten games.
2010-11: Schaller was the fourth-leading scorer for Providence in his sophomore season. Skating on the Friars top line with junior Andy Balysky and sophomore Chris Rooney, he scored 5 goals with 14 assists and was -4 with 36 penalty minutes. Providence finished ninth in Hockey East, one point behind Massachusetts for the final playoff spot.
2011-12: Schaller led Providence with 14 goals in his junior season despite missing 12 games due to a bout with mononucleosis. He had 7 assists and was -3 with 24 penalty minutes in 26 games. Six of his 14 goals were scored on the power play. Providence reached the Hockey East playoffs, finishing seventh, and defeated second place Massachusetts-Lowell in the quarterfinals before falling to eventual national champion Boston College, 4-2, in the semifinals.
2012-13: Schaller skated in all 38 games for Providence as a senior and led the Friars with 15 assists. He scored 8 goals and was +6 with 61 penalty minutes. Providence was one of the big turnaround stories in college hockey – finishing tied for fourth in Hockey East under first-year coach Nate Leaman. The Friars defeated New Hampshire in a three-game quarterfinal series before falling to Massachusetts-Lowell, 2-1, in the Hockey East semifinals. Schaller signed a two-year entry-level contract with Buffalo as a free agent in March, 2013.
2013-14: Schaller skated for Sabres’ AHL affiliate Rochester in his first pro season. He scored 11 goals with 7 assists and was -7 with 36 penalty minutes. Rochester finished second in the North Division and lost to Chicago in a first-round playoff series. Schaller had 1 assist and was +1 with 2 penalty minutes in five playoff games.
2014-15: Schaller made his NHL debut with Buffalo in a November 29th game against Montreal and skated in 18 games with the Sabres in his second pro season — spending most of the season with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. He scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was -5 with 2 penalty minutes, averaging 11:20 minutes of ice time during his time with Buffalo. Schaller was among the leading scorers for Rochester while leading the team in penalty minutes. In 65 games with the Americans he scored 15 goals with 28 assists and was +3 with 116 penalty minutes. The Amerks finished last in the North Division, missing the AHL playoffs. Schaller was re-signed by Buffalo to a one-year contract as a restricted free agent in July 2015.
Talent Analysis
Schaller is a forward whose reputation is based on his defensive play. He has shown offensive elements to his game at the AHL level that were not previously evident. He has the size to be effective in the tight areas and along the boards and has shown a combative side during his pro career — leading Rochester in penalty minutes in his second season. He does not have huge upside and his mobility and skill level may be issues at the NHL level. Schaller is a strong on the penalty kill and possesses good hockey sense; willing to do many of the dirty jobs.
Future
Schaller has played a sound defensive game in a lower line role with the Sabres and has been among the leading scorers for AHL affiliate Rochester when with the Amerks; splitting the 2015-16 season between the NHL and the AHL. Now in his third pro season, the 25-year-old will be a free agent following the season and with other forward options in the Sabres' system could be headed elsewhere. Schaller has limited upside in terms of scoring but is willing to play a specific role and could have some NHL value as a lower line center.
