Total Season Stats: 10G, 18A | 28 PTS | +1 | 60 PIM
Age: 24
Contract Status: Signed through 2025-26, $1.45 million AAV
Peyton Krebs started his third full season in Buffalo where he likely didn’t want to: up in the press box. It can’t be easy being the odd man out on opening night, but he found his way onto the roster, then did what he needed to make sure he didn’t return to the press box again all season.
I like Krebs’ style; he plays the game with a sense of courage and fearlessness, not afraid to get in the opponent’s face or mix things up if he needs to – especially to defend his teammates. He’ll throw a big hit or take a check if it’s the right thing to do in the moment. But he also knows how to contribute offensively, and this was a big season for him in a lot of ways.
He set new career highs across the board in goals (previous high: 9), assists (previous high: 17), points (previous high: 26) and games played. Over the course of the season, he averaged 13:56 in ice time per night, one of the highest averages in a season in his young career. He also had a career-high 80 shots on goal and won 49 percent of his draws, a new career high for a full season.
Call it big dad energy, call it good vibes after signing a new contract last summer. Call it whatever you want. I like the spark he plays with every night, the feistiness and almost pest-like quality he can bring to the game.
Krebs was #15 on last year’s DBTB Top 25 Under 25 and I’ll be curious to see where he lands this year. I have to think after a year like this, he may climb the ladder a bit. At any rate, my season grade for him this year is a much-needed improvement from last year’s D.
Season Grade: B+