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! Until last season, in Sabreland there was one and only one goal, to make the playoffs and break a drought that has already reached epic proportions. This season, it’s a bit different, as we all want to get to the Stanley Cup Final and lift the thing!
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 – Adam1439, Eddy, Chad, adolce95, Hick, Calvin.
Zach Benson – Jedi.
Pretty unanimous selection here.
Leading Goalscorer
Tage Thompson – Adam1439, Eddy, adolce95, Hick, Jedi, Calvin.
Jack Quinn – Chad.
Chad is feeling a big Jack Quinn season during contract year.
Surprise Player
Peyton Krebs – Adam1439.
Colten Ellis – Eddy, Chad.
Olen Zellweger – adolce95.
Jack Quinn – Hick, Calvin.
Louis Crevier – Jedi
Zellweger and Crevier are the newbies on the Sabres, Ellis is being tipped to grab a starting berth, or will Krebs and Quinn elevate their games?
Best Defenseman
Rasmus Dahlin – Adam1439, Eddy, adolce95, Chad, Hick.
Owen Power – Calvin.
Mattias Samuelsson – Jedi
Almost goes without saying.
Total Team Points
95 – adolce95 (No)
96 – Adam1439 (WC)
97 – Eddy (A2), Calvin (WC1)
98 – Chad (WC1), Jedi
99 – Hick
Will the Sabres make the playoffs?
No – adolce95
Yes – Adam1439, Eddy, Chad, Hick, Jedi, Calvin
The playoff threshold was elevated last season with M2 and M3 at 98pts, and WC2 at 99pts. Not expecting that to be the case again, but who knows?
Bold Predictions
Adam1439 – Noah Ostlund with 50+ pts, top 10 finish in Selke voting.
Eddy – Going to keep predicting Josh Norris plays 60 games until it happens.
Chad – Sabres powerplay finishes in the top 10.
adolce95 – Owen Power has a 50-pt season.
Hick – Sabres will have four 40-pt defensemen.
Jedi – Josh Doan with 30 goals and 60 points.
Calvin – Sabres will have seven 20-goal scorers.
This could get very interesting if even half of them come true.
Top Eastern Conference Team
Carolina Hurricanes – Chad, adolce95, Hick, Jedi, Calvin
Tampa Bay Lightning – Adam1439
Canes are the Presidents’ Trophy favorites.
Top Western Conference Team
Colorado Avalanche – Adam1439, adolce95, Jedi, Calvin
Edmonton Oilers – Hick
Dallas Stars – Chad
Avs are the second favorites for the Presidents’ Trophy.
Stanley Cup Winner
Colorado Avalanche – Adam1439
Edmonton Oilers – Hick
Dallas Stars – Chad, Calvin
Tampa Bay Lightning – adolce95
Montreal Canadiens – Jedi
The Panthers are the bookie favorites at +650, Canes and Avs just behind at +750. Sabres are way down at +3300.
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