Fans’ take on how the Buffalo Sabres should improve

Solve the Lower Lines

While the Sabres have something brewing in their first line, even amidst a six-game losing streak sans the Montreal game when head coach Don Granato had to shuffle the lineup because of a few curveballs, the lower lines remain a mystery. But should they?

In the loss to Dallas, Granato paired Rasmus Asplund and Kyle Okposo to the Cozens line. But let’s be honest: At 33, is Okposo really part of this team’s future? The Sabres need to set the lower lines with players who may be playing at the KeyBank Center in the coming seasons.

Asplund may be there. Ditto for Cozens. Peyton Krebs has become a staple at forward since arriving from Vegas. At this point, it makes more sense to put him onto the Cozens line over Okposo.

While he hasn’t shown as much consistency, Olofsson is still sixth on the team in points with 24 compared to Asplund, who has just 18. Asplund has also played in 52 games this season compared to Olofsson’s 44. Olofsson needs to supplant Okposo at left-wing on the second line. Put Krebs at center, and kick Cozens out to right-wing, and you might have a viable second line.

Meanwhile, let Okposo play on the third line. Ditto for Asplund. Okposo, while productive, won’t be around when this team’s winning games. There’s no reason to keep him in on a scoring line. As for Asplund, he’s not producing at right-wing.

Those who are producing better offensively need higher priority here. Guys like Casey Mittelstadt, who have ridden the Bust Label, need to take the defensive and energy lines until the prove themselves capable of producing.