Buffalo Sabres: Peyton Krebs poised for a breakout

Buffalo Sabres forward Peyton Krebs has steadily improved since arriving in the Jack Eichel trade in November 2021

The Buffalo Sabres found a gem in Alex Tuch. Since debuting for the Sabres, Tuch has played like an all-star. But even general manager Kevyn Adams didn’t realize just how quickly their second player acquired in the trade would rise. Peyton Krebs spent some time in the AHL before debuting, and he even returned for a cameo appearance during the All-Star break.

Peyton Krebs of the Buffalo Sabres is poised for a breakout

Since the season resumed, Krebs has been red hot on the Sabres second and third lines, with eight points in 15 appearances. And nothing could sum up Krebs’ playmaking skills and potential better than his pass in a recent tilt against the New York Islanders to a wide open Victor Olofsson, who had the better look.

Krebs was closer to the net, and he could have attempted the shot. Everyone in the KeyBank Center thought he was going to attempt it. But at the last second, he found Olofsson, who scored his first goal in 31 games. Krebs’ assist and Olofsson’s goal put the Sabres up 4-3 in the win over New York. Here’s a look at the play in case you missed it:

But this is nothing new for Krebs, who has just 28 appearances in his NHL career. More than just an accurate passer, Krebs’ on-ice awareness shows that he either knows where his teammates are, or where they’re going to be on the ice.

Krebs, a pass-first center who also sees time at winger, has a style of play that demands his teammates to expect the puck at any given time. His quick decision-making caught the Isles off-guard during his assist to Olofsson, and the rest of the team has taken notice.

Over the past three games, Krebs has found himself pivoting between winger and center, switching positions with Dylan Cozens, another strong up-and-comer.

One reason for the constant switches is that head coach Don Granato is looking to place both players onto the second line. And if Krebs and Cozens continue to make plays for the Sabres, they will find themselves playing in front of packed houses at the Keybank Center long-term.

(All statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)