Five Buffalo Sabres Players Who Need To Step Up

Sep 29, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman

(6) during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

There are several players on the Buffalo Sabres who are, so far, having pretty good seasons. Ryan O’Reilly is averaging a point-per-game through 13 matches; Tyler Ennis and Matt Moulson each have six points. Jack Eichel has five points – all goals, and all at home, including some absolutely beautiful moves; Sam Reinhart has also matched him with five points.

But as there are players that are doing well, there’s also always room for improvement, and there are a few Buffalo Sabres players who need to step up.

Whether it’s playing better defensively, producing more offense, or just generally making more of an impact on the ice, these are the guys who could help the Buffalo Sabres if they power up; if not, they could find themselves on the outside looking in sooner rather than later.

Although you’d be hard-pressed to find a reasonable Buffalo Sabres fan who expects the team to win the Stanley Cup this season, the team should absolutely be better than last year or the year prior. Everyone needs to contribute, everyone needs to help and everyone needs to be part of the winning formula.

So – who are these Buffalo Sabres players who need to step up if they want to a) remain in a spot on the team and b) help the team to succeed? Let’s find out….. and feel free to leave your comments on who else you’d pick, or why you think the choices made here are – or aren’t – valid.