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Buffalo Sabres: 5 bold predictions for the 2022 offseason

By Sion Fawkes

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres skates with the puck against Alexander Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres skates with the puck against Alexander Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 24: Victor Olofsson #68 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates a second period goal against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on January 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Technically, the Buffalo Sabres offseason began with them securing the 9th and 16th picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft Lottery

It’s that time of year again for the Buffalo Sabres. The offseason is upon us and given the team’s phenomenal finish to their 2021-22 season, we should expect them to at least contend for a playoff spot in the 2022-23 season.

But, it is not as easy of a feat as we might think. The worst playoff team in the Eastern Conference this season, the Washington Capitals, recorded 100 points, 25 more than the Sabres. The Sabres also finished the season well behind the New York Islanders (84 points) and the Columbus Blue Jackets (83 points).

The good news is that they are a young hockey team that meshed as last season wore on. So if they make a jump similar to that of March and April 2022, the Sabres can become immediate contenders. But that also doesn’t mean they shouldn’t keep things as is.

The Sabres are without a viable goalie. And even if the 41-year-old Craig Anderson returns, he is in no shape to withstand the demands of an 82-game season. Something he proved this past year when multiple injuries limited his availability.

They also need to find a way to make a splash in free agency and the draft. Some fans say, and rightfully so, that this team is not finished rebuilding until they earn a trip to the playoffs. And since the Sabres lead the league in cap space, they have plenty of room to make a plethora of dynamic moves that will put them over the top.

So let’s have some fun with five bold predictions for the Buffalo Sabres this offseason. Some moves are logistic and others will make you do a double-take. But a common denominator exists: Each predicted transaction will make the Sabres a playoff contender, starting with the Captain Obvious move. 

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