Before I NHL Draft, I had made a joke that I would not be stunned if the Sabres kept their first round pick this year, strike out in free agency and then make a deal for a guy like Scott Laughton and market that as their big move. For the most part, despite an end of season press conference with Kevyn Adams, where he expressed a desire to make things right and change, the offseason thus far has been quite underwhelming for many.
But that’s not to say that it hasn’t been decent in the additions department. The fourth line is revamped, and Beck Malenstyn, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and Sam Lafferty are all welcome additions who will add some grit, physicality, and toughness to the lineup. Dennis Gilbert is a very solid depth defenseman, who brings an element the Sabres lack with their blueliners, and also has some enforcer qualities. He can intimidate, and hold his own in that department.
Jason Zucker is ironically a player i’ve wanted for a very long time. I remember wanting the Sabres to let Skinner walk into free agency and go after Jason Zucker to replace him in what was a fantasy scenario that would never happen at that point in time. Several years later, at different stages of both Skinner and Zucker’s career, it would finally happen.
Now, we finally have him, but I feel like he’s in the Roger Dorn category where, I wish we would have had him two years ago. This isn’t an Erik Johnson for the forwards addition either. Johnson was clearly on the back end of his career, but Zucker I think, still has some quality hockey left. I’m also sure the familiarity with Alex Tuch and Jordan Greenway from Minnesota, and Jason Karmanos from Pittsburgh, helped make the decision for him to come here easier. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he reached out to his old teammate Erik Haula to inquire on what it was like to play for Lindy Ruff.
The best part about Zucker is that he can move all over the top-nine, he’s responsible defensively, and it’s only a one year deal, meaning, he’s not going to get in the way of a prospect making the roster long term because it’s only a one year deal.
The Sabres placed themselves in a scenario unfortunately through the years, players simply do not want to sign here, in some cases, even with we overpay. Unfortunately, the reality has sinked in this year that the Sabres are going to have to improve in a couple ways: first, by adding the complimentary pieces, and second, by the prospects stepping up and seizing an opportunity, just like Lindy Ruff’s 2005-06 Sabres did.
But the pathway this team really looks like they are trying to take, is that Vancouver Canucks road from last year. Quite honestly, there are a lot of parallels.
The Canucks, made their coaching change the prior season from Bruce Boudreau to Rick Tocchet and revamped their bottom-six, acquiring pieces such as Sam Lafferty, Teddy Blueger, and Pius Suter. They also saw prospect Nils Hoglander take a step forward, while Brock Boeser revitalized his career from 18 to 40 goals. The Canucks also parted with a key centerman on their rebuild journey in Bo Horvat, just like the Sabres did with Casey Mittelstadt, and both teams picked up key defenseman in Filip Hronek and Bowen Byram.
The Sabres ideally can follow a similar path with their revamped fast, physical, and gritty fourth line. They can also see Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch play more to their abilities, while getting a healthy Jack Quinn back in the lineup. But more importantly, I believe what will propel this team is the young guys and prospects taking a step forward. Can Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, Matthew Savoie, or another prospect give you 20+ goals that Nils Hoglander gave Vancouver last year?
Ultimately, no matter what the plan is, or what model the Sabres are following, there remain opportunities for two spots: top-six winger, and third line center, and both spots have competition as the roster stands. The question is, will a prospect earn one of those spots instead of a veteran?
The Sabres path to the playoffs looks like it will need to be an internal job, and unfortunately, a lot of this will fall on Lindy Ruff, as well as Seth Appert, and both guys will be tasked with fixing an ailing power play, along with finding solutions at two key spots.
So how does this competition shake up?
Top-Six Winger
– Jason Zucker
– Zach Benson
– Jiri Kulich
– Isak Rosen
– Jordan Greenway
This spot may comedown to Zucker vs Benson, and the question will be: can Zucker still produce at a level that he did two seasons ago, or can Benson take a step forward? Jordan Greenway could be an option there as well, but in order for him to become more regular in the top six, we need to see more offense than we’ve gotten from him.
Jiri Kulich I believe could have a tremendous opportunity here. He is coming off a 27 goal season in Rochester, and could be a factor on special teams. The Sabres will start the season vs New Jersey in Czechia, and hopefully, him being on the roster in his home country will serve as extra motivation. Isak Rosen has the most complete two-way game right now, and quite honestly, he could be the closest to being able to be a full time NHL’er right now.
Third Line Center
– Sam Lafferty
– Peyton Krebs
– Matthew Savoie
– Konsta Helenius
The primary battle here for me is going to be between Lafferty and Krebs. The Sabres do not appear to be bailing on Krebs, and it’s not surprising giving how Buffalo wanted him to be included in the Eichel deal. Krebs will have a golden opportunity to finally earn the full time third line center job, but we need to see more that what we saw last year.
As things stand right now, it’s possible the best option for third line center is Sam Lafferty until Krebs proves other wise.
But of course, secondary scoring could be a problem next year with how heavy the bottom six currently looks. This is where Matthew Savoie could have more of an opportunity to make the Sabres next year if he gets strong enough.
Savoie could potentially bring more offense than Laffery or even Krebs, and he plays a tenacious, two-way game.
As for Konsta Helenius, it’s unlikely that the Sabres strike gold two years in a row beyond the top ten. But, his coach, Olli Jokinen believes he can play in the NHL right now. His game is already so polished, and he is cut from the same cloth as a guy like Anton Lundell. Helenius could be a darkhorse option, but it’s not likely this happens. Needless, if he came into camp and really impressed, he could get an opportunity for third or fourth line center.
There could be another move made at some point this offseason, but no matter what happens, the Sabres path to the playoffs may rest on Lindy Ruff, his coaching staff and internal development and improvement. It may be on the prospects to take a step forward and seize a golden opportunity as well as the veterans on the team playing to their potential.
Please, chime in on who you like as your pick for top six winger and third line center.
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