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How the Buffalo Sabres will win the 2022 NHL offseason

BySion Fawkes|
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres tries to handle a bouncing puck against 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: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres tries to handle a bouncing puck against 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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A recent article from the Bleacher Report listed the Buffalo Sabres as one of six teams to win the 2022 NHL offseason. Can it become a reality?

The Buffalo Sabres are in prime position to win the 2022 NHL offseason, as The Bleacher Report pointed out in a recent article. With over $40 million in cap space, three picks in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, plus a strong finish to the previous season, the Sabres are already in prime position to have a big offseason.

This time last year, it wasn’t the case. The Sabres were slated to become one of the worst teams in hockey and they were all but in rebuilding mode. But a 16-9-3 record (35 points) in March and April, juxtaposed by the sheer youth on this team, shows the franchise has put the NHL on notice.

ST PAUL, MN – MAY 02: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild looks on before the start of Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Xcel Energy Center on May 2, 2022 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Blues defeated the Wild 4-0 to take a 1-0 series lead. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MN – MAY 02: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild looks on before the start of Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the St. Louis Blues at Xcel Energy Center on May 2, 2022 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Blues defeated the Wild 4-0 to take a 1-0 series lead. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Here is how the Buffalo Sabres will win the offseason: Action #1 – Sign goaltenders

Note, I said goaltenders. This is because you can expect the Buffalo Sabres to sign one goaltender in free agency while they keep their own. This will provide depth and familiarity at the position that they didn’t see last season.

Craig Anderson could come back if he decides to keep playing. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is a shoo-in to return. Malcolm Subban and Aaron Dell are great options for the AHL, and a goaltender like Marc-Andre Fleury would be an expensive yet wise investment. Only Dustin Tokarski appears to be the odd man out.

By keeping their own goaltenders, there won’t be such a steep adjustment period. If they sign a 30-something veteran like Fleury, they would be bringing in an outstanding mentor for Luukkonen, who struggled with injuries and inconsistencies in 2021-22.

Plus, it keeps pressure off of Luukkonen, who could spend 2022-23 as a backup goaltender. Fleury or whoever can start the season and rotate with Luukkonen. And that will be a huge help for the star-crossed Finn.

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