DBTB Predicts the 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres
<em>The editorial staff makes their predictions as we approach the start of the 2021-22 campaign</em>
And so it begins.
The 2021-22 NHL season is officially underway, and the Buffalo Sabres kick off their campaign this evening as they host the Montreal Canadiens. Many things this year back to normal, or at least some semblance of normalcy, compared to last season. Fingers crossed, we should get an 82-game season, something we haven’t had in a while for Buffalo.
As we do every year, Die By The Blade editorial staff got together to compile their predictions for the upcoming season. Just how good (bad) will the Sabres be? Which players will stand out? Which goaltender steps up to the plate?
Obviously anything can happen, especially in these pandemic times, but for now, we know what the Sabres are and reasonably what to expect from them. It’s quite a different team from last season, too, so let’s check out what our staff had to say:
Team MVP
Dylan Cozens (3 Votes) - Taylor, Calvin, Kerra
Rasmus Dahlin (1 Vote) - Melissa
Casey Mittelstadt (1 Vote) - Ryan S.
Tage Thompson (1 Vote) - Bryan
Leading Goalscorer
Dylan Cozens (1 Vote) - Taylor
Rasmus Dahlin (1 Vote) - Ryan S.
Victor Olofsson (1 Vote) - Calvin
Jeff Skinner (3 Votes) - Bryan, Melissa, Kerra
Surprise Player
Anders Bjork (1 Vote) - Melissa
John Hayden (1 Vote) - Bryan
Vinnie Hinostroza (1 Vote) - Taylor
JJ Peterka (1 Vote) - Calvin
Arttu Ruotsalainen (1 Vote) - Kerra
Craig Anderson or Mattias Samuelsson (1 Vote) - Ryan S.
Best Defenseman
Rasmus Dahlin (5 Votes) - Taylor, Ryan S., Calvin, Melissa, Kerra
Will Butcher (1 Vote) - Bryan
Total Team Points
78 (1 Vote) - Bryan
69 (2 Votes) - Taylor, Calvin
63 (1 Vote) - Ryan S.
58 (1 Vote) - Melissa
48 (1 Vote) - Kerra
Will the Sabres make the playoffs?
No (6 Votes) - Taylor, Ryan S., Bryan, Calvin, Melissa, Kerra
Bold Prediction(s)
Taylor: JJ Peterka ends up 2C; Eichel does a SportsCenter exclusive interview fully airing out the Sabres’ dirty laundry.
Ryan S.: Arttu Ruotsalainen ends the season as the team’s second-line center.
Bryan: Will Butcher scores 40+ points.
Calvin: Dylan Cozens will take over Eichel’s mantle, be the team leader in points scored & get the ‘C’ early in 2022.
Melissa: The Sabres are unable to find a suitable trade partner and cannot move Jack Eichel before the Olympics.
Fans, now it’s your turn. Leave your responses in the comments for:
Team MVP
Leading Goalscorer
Surprise Player
Best Defenseman
Total Team Points
Will the Sabres make the playoffs?
Bold Prediction(s)