If the Sabres have a strength it is at forward. With questions in goal, and youth on defense, the Sabres have their best players up front. Down the middle the Sabres are young, but man are they talented. Head coach Dan Bylsma has already stated he plans on starting Ryan O’Reilly as the first line center. After him the Sabres have Zemgus Girgensons, Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Johan Larsson all capable of playing center on the 2nd or 3rd lines. The wingers have both a veteran influence as well as one of youth.
1st Line: Tyler Ennis- Ryan O’Reilly- Evander Kane
This could be the best first line the Sabres have had since the Lafontaine and Mogilny days. Even in the Briere and Drury years the Sabres didn’t have one elite line.
Nov 5, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tyler Ennis (63) during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at First Niagara Center. Canadiens beat the Sabres 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Ennis, Kane, and O’Reilly would fit perfectly together. Tyler Ennis loves to have the puck on his stick. He would be able to carry the puck as much as he wants on this line. Neither Kane or O’Reilly are as great at stick handling and passing as Ennis is. Ennis would also have the best two forwards he’s ever played with to be able to set up. The assist numbers could go through the roof when you’re feeding these two all the time. Playing with two bigger bodies doesn’t hurt when you’re a little guy too.
Jan 27, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane (9) moves the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Evander Kane would be the slasher of the line. Flying down the ice, forechecking hard, and sniping and opportunity he has. Kane has an excellent release on his shot and could reach 30 or 40 goals if all goes well.
Ryan O’Reilly, assuming his legal issues resolve themselves, will be the top center on the team. O’Reilly’s two way, responsible game can free up Ennis and Kane to go bananas on the offensive end. O’Reilly’s size and physicality can be a presence in front of the net as well.
2nd line: Matt Moulson- Zemgus Girgensons- Sam Reinhart
This line has a combination of youth, experience, physicality, playmaking, and sniping. A well balanced line. However, putting a 19 and 21 year old on a top two line is risky.
Oct 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart (23) during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Buffalo 4-0. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
For this line I would have Sam Reinhart playing on the right wing. After watching him at development camp, I think he’s ready for a top six role. The things he needed to improve upon like skating and strength, were evidently better than last years camp. Reinhart was built with muscle, faster, and stronger on his skates than last year. His stick handling and hockey sense were still off the charts at camp. Putting him with a veteran in Matt Moulson, and a very mature, hard working Zemgus Girgensons allows him to ease into a top six role. Let Girgensons worry about the defensive responsibilities for a while.
Jan 29, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Buffalo Sabres center Zemgus Girgensons (28) gets through the check by Edmonton Oilers center Boyd Gordon (27) in the second period up at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
Girgensons is a good second line center at this point in his career. Like O’Reilly he is responsible at both ends of the ice, and willing to go to the dirty areas. He has the talent to be a finisher as well as a playmaker for his wingers. He does everything well. Girgensons will be the fastest skater on this line. While Reinhart’s speed has improved, both wingers lack speed. This could cause a problem for Zemgus when he fly’s up the ice with the puck.
Feb 15, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Matt Moulson (26) takes a shot as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Mark Streit (32) defends during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Moulson is the veteran presence. He’s the calm, cool and collected vet that can help settle down the kids. Moulson is very good in front of and around the net, so he can allow Reinhart to play on the perimeter more often. He also has a very good shot, and would likely have the most goals on the line.
3rd Line: Marcus Foligno- Jack Eichel- Brian Gionta
This line may lack a high scoring winger, but would be a great shut down line. This line could also play in any situation.
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No fan wants to see Jack Eichel on line 3. However, starting him off slowly and letting him play his way into a top six role is not a bad thing. Take some pressure off the kid, make him your third line center playing with the captain of the team in Brian Gionta, and a guy in Marcus Foligno that will not let anyone touch Eichel. He still has capable goal scorers to pass to, so if he ends up with 20 assists in the first 35 games, than make him your top line center. What’s the harm in that?
The captain of the team is still a productive player. While Gionta cannot score 47 goals like we once did, he can still put up a 20 goal season on a good line. If he’s playing with Jack Eichel, I’d bet money he reaches 20 goals. Gionta was seen last season tutoring young players like Mikhail Grigorenko, so I want him playing along side my generational prospect.
Foligno can be the big body that goes to the front of the net and cashes in off Eichel and Gionta rebounds. He can go to the corners and do the dirty jobs for the line. Also, it would be nice to have a tough winger that I’d assume would go ape crazy if someone tried to take a run at either our young star in Eichel, or our smaller captain in Gionta. Foligno still has potential to score goals on a regular basis, but he hasn’t played with any good centers….. yet.
4th line: Nic Deslauriers- Johan Larsson- Jamie McGinn
Deslauriers is the biggest hitter, best fighter, and arguably toughest player on the team. He provides energy to the rest of the team, but isn’t a goon like a John Scott. Deslauriers has some offensive ability. He had 5 goals and 10 assists in a full 82 game rookie season. By comparison, Patrick Kaleta’s career high was 15 points. Deslauriers, with this line, could honestly score around 15 goals and 35 points.
Larsson is capable of being on line 3, but he’s not unseating Eichel clearly. With injuries he could move up on the depth chart at wing or center. To start the season he is a perfect 4th line center. He would be a good two way center, between two physical wingers that have some scoring ability. Playing protected minutes could also help the young Swedish center.
As I have previously wrote, Jamie McGinn is capable of being a 20 goal scorer. However, the Sabres don’t need him to be. Playing a limited role with two young forwards, and just being a steady 4th line winger is fine. If there are injuries it is nice that we have a guy that can move on to any line with any type of player.
Extras: David Legwand, Cody McCormick, Phil Varone, Tim Schaller, Jerry D’Amigo, Nick Baptiste, Justin Bailey
Next: Buffalo Sabres projected defensive pairings
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