#1.) Ryan McCloed will have a breakout year
Lindy Ruff coached his brother in New Jersey, but Michael McCloed is a different archetype of player form his brother. Michael McCloed is dominant on draws, and is a much more physical player, but Ryan is a speedster who excels with zone exits, but unlike his brother, he has a tendency to play on the perimeter too much, and shy’s away from contact.
His strengths are his speed, zone entries and exits, and his excellent defensive metrics. He needs to work on converting some of those entries in the zone into scoring chances and eventually goals, which finishing has not been his strength.
I think ultimately what the Sabres got in what will be his fourth season in the league is a poor man’s Anthony Cirelli.
I think he will see a little more ice time, and potentially post career highs in goals and points, let’s 15-20 goals and 40-45 points, while grabbing some top 50 Selke votes.
#2.) The third line will be a story next season
Continuing with Ryan McCloed talk, I think his most likely linemates will be Benson, Zucker and Jordan Greenway, and all of these players should compliment McCloed’s shortfalls nicely.
I have a feeling that Greenway and McCloed could form 2/3 one of the best defensive lines in hockey. In contrast, If his linemates end up being Zucker and Benson, there could be more offensive punch to that third line, with Benson’s playmaking chops, and Zucker’s finishing ability.
The lineup combinations should complement McCloed well and provide some interesting options depending on the matchup for Ruff.
#3.) Jiri Kulich will Make the Roster Next Season
With the Sabres opening the season in Czechia, I think Kulich will do everything humanly possible to make sure he cracks that opening night roster. You know it’s on his mind, and I think as he’s grown in Rochester over the past couple years.
With some people clamoring for a trade for a guy like Joel Farabee who has a Seth Appert connection, Jiri Kulich is a guy who has that connection as well, and with Appert here, and running the power play, there could be a role to be had here.
I will go as far to say, there will be a three way competition for top six time at left wing, between Kulich, Benson, and Zucker. This team needs a prospect to come in and give some Dawson Mercer production as he came into the league under Ruff as a 20 year old with 17 goals, 42 points as a rookie. I am predicting that Kulich will knock the door down this year and post similar numbers.
#4.) Jack Quinn will Breakout, and JJ Peterka take another step
For me, this right here is one of the most underrated keys for next season. It’s imperative that these guys take a step forward.
Two players whom were the same age broke out under Lindy Ruff in New Jersey. First it was Nico Hischer in his age-23 season, which would set up an even better year for the Devils 112 point season in 2022-23. Jesper Bratt was the other Devils forward who broke out in 2021-22 with 73 points under Ruff.
For the Sabres, it was Peterka who broke out as an age 22 player, and posted 28 goals and 50 points. On the top line, where he will likely be, the potential is there for even more production.
But Quinn unfortunately was plagued by injuries last season when he could have had a similar impact. He was paced for 27 goals last season, and likely would have had a similar season to Peterka last year if healthy.
But one thing we have to remember is that Quinn being healthy has to be viewed as an addition for next season, as much as I hate saying it like that, because it sounds like a cop out for a GM who didn’t do quite enough this offseason, and maybe it is?
However it is true. Jack Quinn was sorely missed last year, and quite honestly, when news broke that he went down last summer, I knew we were in a heap of trouble because he was supposed to be a guy to step forward in a big way.
Adding a guy to the lineup who is young, and will only get better, who can potentially add 25 to 30 goals and 50-60 points is huge. Quinn is also a guy who plays very well with Dylan Cozens and helps elevate his game, and let’s not forget about his all-around game which will be coveted by Ruff.
To me, he’s the new Jason Pominville for Ruff, and it will be huge to have him back next year.
#5.) Peyton Krebs will be traded or waived before the New Year
If I have Kulich making the team, that means somebody else is the odd man out. Quite honestly, I just have a hard time finding a place for Krebs in the lineup other than in the press box, barring a major step forward in camp.
The defensive ability is there, the offense however is not, and it’s kept him regulated to fourth line work. While Don Granato has so many success stories with reviving careers, and developing players, Krebs for whatever reason was not one of them, main theory on that for me is simply because he was stuck in purgatory with Okposo and Girgensons, learning how to be a solid defensive player, which is fundamental necessary.
Problem is, once he has the opportunity to move up and succeed Mittelstadt when he was traded, he simply just didn’t produce. Maybe it’s something that can come over time, but time is not something we have anymore, hence why Ryan McCloed and Sam Lafferty are here.
And if Jiri Kulich is making this team, then that means Krebs is likely the odd man out here.
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