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Buffalo Sabres Poll: Which Player Will Be The Next All-Star?

By Richard Spalding

Jan 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) celebrates with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) and left wing Evander Kane (9) and center Sam Reinhart (23) after scoring a power play goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (15) celebrates with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) and left wing Evander Kane (9) and center Sam Reinhart (23) after scoring a power play goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ryan O’Reilly may be the Buffalo Sabres only representative in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, but he could have company in the near future!

For the second time in as many years, the Buffalo Sabres managed to send one player to represent the 716 at the NHL All-Star Game.

Last year, it was Zemgus Girgensons who made it to the star-studded event, courtesy of much love from his homeland, while this year Ryan O’Reilly earned the nod because . . . well, because he’s just freaking good, okay?

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While it is nice to see anyone wearing a Sabres jersey on the ice in Nashville this weekend, we all know that the Buffalo Sabres are never going to be a legitimate threat to make the playoffs until they have 2-3 players at least who could earn a trip to the All-Star game.  The Chicago Blackhawks would have had two players there if Jonathan Toews had not backed out due to illness, and from the look of the 40 (give or take) Predators players who made the team, Nashville is going to win it all this season!

All of which got me thinking: besides Girgensons and O’Reilly, which players on the current Buffalo Sabres roster could start earning the sort of votes that would make them All-Star worthy?  Even better, which Sabres player will be the NEXT one to actually earn his first trip to the big event?

Based on the rookie season he is having, it is safe to assume that Jack Eichel will gain many votes in this poll – deservedly so, I might add.  Still, Eichel is just a rookie, whereas Rasmus Ristolainen is already in his third NHL season – and what a season he is having.  Risto is Buffalo’s third-leading scorer, and is currently ranked tenth in scoring among all NHL defenseman.  Eichel may still need a few years to be considered among the league’s elite forwards, but Risto is staking his claim that he is one of the best at the blueline now.

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Meanwhile, Sam Reinhart is quietly having an impressive rookie season of his own, one we would be talking about a bit more if it were not for the heroics of Eichel.  Reinhart’s 20 points are 11th best among all NHL rookies this season, and if he gets hot and finishes the season strong, he could wind up among the top ten.  And because I like even numbers, I threw Evander Kane‘s name into the voting because, why not?  Kane did score 30 goals with the Winnipeg Jets back in 2011-12, so if he can develop some chemistry with his new teammates, maybe he becomes a threat to go for 60+.

Time to vote – let us here at Sabre Noise know who you will think will be the next Buffalo Sabres player to earn the right to participate in the NHL All-Star game!

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