The big question – Will the Sabres make the playoffs? – and more as we try to predict the year ahead.
The preseason is done, the rosters are set (mostly) and we’re ready to play some hockey! Of course, in Sabreland there is one and only one goal, and that is to make the playoffs and break a drought that has already reached epic proportions.
The DBTB team put their heads together to make some predictions, jump in in the comments below with your thoughts as well.
Team MVP
Rasmus Dahlin – Eddy, Chad, Kerra, Steven
Josh Norris – Jedi
Jiri Kulich – Calvin
Pretty unanimous selection here, Jedi and Calvin going with the contrarian Norris and Kulich picks.
Leading Goalscorer
Tage Thompson – Eddy, Jedi, Chad, Kerra, Steven, Calvin
No surprises here.
Surprise Player
Owen Power – Eddy
Josh Doan – Jedi, Chad, Steven
Devon Levi – Kerra
Michael Kesselring – Calvin
A selection of players selected here, majority feeling that Doan Jr. will surprise those who are writing him off as a bit-part player.
Best Defenseman
Rasmus Dahlin – Eddy, Jedi, Chad, Kerra, Steven, Calvin
Almost goes without saying.
Total Team Points
87 – Chad
88 – Eddy
89 – Jedi
90 – Calvin
91 – Kerra
95 – Steven
Will the Sabres make the playoffs?
No – Eddy, Jedi, Chad, Kerra, Calvin
Yes – Steven
The playoff threshold is likely to be about 92-93 points, so once again the Sabres will be out in the cold come April.
Bold Predictions
Eddy – Josh Norris plays a career-high 66 games.
Jedi – Jiri Kulich scores 30 or more goals.
Chad – Alex Tuch signs for 6 years, $10 million per year by the end of 2025.
Kerra – Jordan Greenway plays a full season.
Steven – Rasmus Dahlin wins the Norris Trophy.
Calvin – Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs and Josh Doan all break 40 points.
Good selection of answers here, everyone steering clear of the defense and goaltending though.
Top Eastern Conference Team
Carolina Hurricanes – Eddy, Jedi
Tampa Bay Lightning – Chad, Steven, Calvin
Toronto Maple Leafs – Kerra
Tampa are the betting crowd’s favorites to crush the Eastern Conference.
Top Western Conference Team
Edmonton Oilers – Eddy, Calvin
Vegas Golden Knights – Jedi, Steven
Dallas Stars – Chad, Kerra
Team split here across three teams, Edmonton are the bookies’ pick for the President’s Trophy.
Stanley Cup Winner
Edmonton Oilers – Eddy, Kerra
St Louis Blues – Jedi
Dallas Stars – Chad, Steven
Tampa Bay Lightning – Calvin
The Oilers, Canes and Colorado Avalanche are all about the same odds to win.
Use this list to copy-paste and give us your predictions in the comments below.
Team MVP
Leading Goalscorer
Surprise Player
Best Defenseman
Total Team Points
Will the Sabres make the playoffs?
Bold Predictions
Top Eastern Conference Team
Top Western Conference Team
Stanley Cup Winner