Buffalo Sabres Roster: What The Defense Is Missing

At the start of the year, it was the Buffalo Sabres defense that was meant to keep hope alive and keep the fans hopeful for the future of the team. With great defensive players all on the back end, the Sabres had a very bright future on the blue line. Now that the rebuild is in the upswing, there needs to be a hard look taken at the strengths and weaknesses of the Buffalo Sabres defense.

Related – Who Is the Best Seventh Defenseman Option?

First, Let’s have a look at what players make up the Buffalo defense and what kinds of defenders they are:

Zach Bogosian (two-way defenseman), Carlo Colaiacovo (defensive defenseman), Josh Gorges (defensive defenseman), Rasmus Ristolainen (two-way defenseman), Mike Weber (defensive defenseman), Jake McCabe (two-way defenseman), Mark Pysyk (defensive defenseman), Chad Ruhwedel (offensive defenseman), and Matt Donovan (defensive defenseman).

That is a very sound defensive lineup on paper or sure. It has defensive soundness and a sturdy feel to it that should make goaltenders feel secure. With three of those defenders being over 6’2 and more than 220lbs, there is enough intimidation from the Sabres blue line. That is one place where they excel. Bogosian and Ristolainen especially are ones to throw big hits and intimidate the opposing offenses from entering the zone carrying the puck or crashing the net.

Players like Josh Gorges, Mike Weber and Jake McCabe are defensive minded shot blocking defenders that will keep the play going where it needs to and will be key penalty killing defenders. Gorges, despite being injured for a majority of the season, was one of the best shot blockers in the league. As he will be much healthier this year (hopefully) he will be the kind of defensive threat the Sabres need to lean on.

With these positives in place, there has to be something that the Buffalo Sabres defense lacks. It is a rather similar issue to the offense in a way. The Sabres Defense lacks a number one defenseman. Sure Zach Bogosian and Josh Gorges can play top 2 minutes, but neither of them is the elite level defender that every team leans on. A player like Zdeno Chara, Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban, Niklas Kronwall, Duncan Keith, etc.

In the future, it is projected that Rasmus Ristolainen will eventually become that number one defender, as he has the skill and potential to be it, but he is still a year or so away from it. This issue is not really a big one for the Sabres, but it is still something that would greatly benefit them from getting one.

For next season, they will be looking to see which defensemen can handle the pressure and the new style of play that Dan Bylsma will bring to the defense. Bylsma is a very balanced coach, but leans towards an offensive style of play. That being said, it may allow Ristolainen to flourish a little more while taking Jake McCabe and Mark Pysyk‘s games to new heights.

Next: What The Sabres Offense Is Missing

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