After Great Team Success, How Do the Sabres Break Down Individually?
Today we take a look at the individual performances of each player and assign a letter grade accordingly. Each Sabre graded must meet the 20 games played with Buffalo minimum. So no Konsta Helenius or Sam Carrick and several others. These grades are for the regular season only, not playoffs. We will split the eligible players into two randomly listed sections. This is part 2 of 2.
- Josh Doan (82-25-27-52 -4) Grade A
Of the many pleasant surprises this season, Josh Doan’s performance stands out. He went from the other player acquired for Peterka to a vital cog in the Sabres’ offensive machine. He set career highs in games played, goals, assists, and points. His relentless forechecking and continuous motor made him a favorite in the locker room and throughout the fanbase.
- Alex Tuch (79-33-33-66 +24) Grade B+
The pending UFA had another quality season for Buffalo. Tuch was effective in all situations and notched his third 30+ goal season in his last four. His 66 points were second among Sabre forwards and is rightfully due for a significant raise. If this was his last season in Buffalo, he was a big reason this team ended the draught though his consistent high-end production.
- Mattias Samuelsson (78-13-28-41 +41) Grade A+
Talk about a complete 180. Last season, many (including myself) were calling for Samuelsson’s contract to be bought out. His response was to set career highs in just about every statistical category and become one of the best defensive defensemen in the league. He’s shown he belongs on the top pair with Dahlin and should be a fixture there for years to come.
- Peyton Krebs (82-12-27-39 +13) Grade B
Krebs has turned into a quality utility man for Buffalo. He played primarily on either the 1st or 4th lines and found success in both roles. In particular, his ability to play well enough with Thompson/Tuch on the first line allowed Buffalo to maintain balanced lines despite injuries to some of their better forwards. Long term, Krebs probably fits best as a bottom 6 forward who can move up in a pinch.
- Josh Norris (44-13-21-34 +11) Grade C+
Another injury plagued season limited Norris’ impact. At the top of his game, he provides high end speed and skill. However, his lack of availability is a real concern. He has the talent to be a game-changer on a nightly basis, but this season left fans underwhelmed. Hopefully, he can stay healthy long enough to make his mark in the league.
- Noah Ostlund (60-11-16-27 +11) Grade A
Ostlund earned a full-time role in Buffalo this season and is clearly one of Lindy Ruff’s favorite players. He elevates his linemates and possesses elite playmaking abilities. Beyond his on-ice impact, his unceremonious demotion to Rochester in December seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for Kevyn Adams’ tenure as GM which completely changed the season’s trajectory. Ostlund has staked his claim as a key young player on the roster with tremendous potential for growth.
- Conor Timmins (39-0-8-8 -8) Grade C
Timmins’ season had a good start before his season was derailed by a broken leg in December. He was able to return a few weeks before the playoffs and continued to contribute, particularly on the penalty kill. He’s effective as a bottom pair defenseman but understandably lost some of his effectiveness post-injury. All-in-all, he met expectations considering his significant injury.
- Tage Thompson (81-40-41-81 -6) Grade A
Thompson had another great season. He led the Sabres in points for the 4th time in 5 years and notched his 3rd 40 goal season in his last 4. He was an offensive force on a nightly basis and seemed to benefit from his move back to center. He had two separate 6 game goal streaks. He’s been the Sabres’ top forward for years and this season was no exception.
- Tyson Kozak (46-2-4-6 -1) Grade C-
After splitting last season between Rochester and Buffalo, Kozak stayed on the NHL roster for the entire season. Injuries hampered what could have been a season he claimed the 4th line center role for himself. Instead, Sam Carrick was acquired at the trade deadline to upgrade the position. This leaves Kozak on the outside looking in without injuries to lineup regulars. When he plays, he shows tremendous speed and is defensively reliable. Unless something changes, his future in Buffalo looks to be a rotational depth forward.
- Josh Dunne (34-1-3-4 -7) Grade C
When Josh Dunne was signed, most thought he would primarily play in Rochester. Due to injuries, he remained in Buffalo nearly the whole season. He played relatively well on the 4th line but his limitations became more pronounced against faster opponents. He struggled against teams like Montreal and Tampa Bay when the game speed cranked up a notch. He’s a good player to have as injury insurance but lacks effectiveness against top competition.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (35 GP 22-9-3, 2.52 GAA .910 SV%, 1 SO) Grade B
UPL had a bounce back season and seemed to benefit from the season-long goaltending rotation. Although he played the least number of games for Buffalo since the 2022-2023 season, he posted a career best GAA and tied his career best save percentage. Consistency has gotten better but continues to be his Achillies heel. He provides the best upside for the current Sabre goalies but the valleys in his game can be tough to watch.