Buffalo Sabres: 3 players who have something to prove in the final weeks
By Sion Fawkes
Henri Jokiharju
Enter, Owen Power, who won’t be teaming with Rasmus Dahlin on the first-pairing any time soon. At least not consistently. For the time being, expect Jokiharju to retain his role. But his days are definitely numbered on the top pairing with Dahlin.
To make matters more trying for Jokiharju, he doesn’t display the same physicality as Mattias Samuelsson and Casey Fitzgerald. Samuelsson and Fitzgerald have shown they can hold down the second pairing, which was often the case when the Sabres lost Colin Miller and Will Butcher to injuries.
This leaves teaming with Jacob Bryson on the third line as Jokiharju’s best bet at remaining a Sabre. Signed through 2024, it’s highly likely the Sabres will give the defenseman at least another season to prove he can stick.
But he needs to do more than what he’s shown this season. Through 51 games, Jokiharju has 15 points and 32 giveaways. He’s also logging just a 4.8% shooting percentage, indicating limited efficacy on offense.
His 51 blocks and 60 hits further indicate limited defensive skills, along with his 12 takeaways. Overall, Jokiharju has not lived up to expectations and it’s almost a given Owen Power will supplant him at some point.