Buffalo Sabres: Projecting the 2022 lineups (pre-free agency)

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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 12: Kyle Okposo #21 of the Buffalo Sabres battles for the puck against Ilya Mikheyev #65 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) /

Third Line

Kyle Okposo, LW (C)

As you can see, Okposo is our projected team captain. And like Skinner on the first line, Okposo’s 2019-20 and 2020-21 campaigns did not go as planned. But he rebounded in 2021-22, and the fan favorite is set to lead one of the NHL’s youngest teams. Look for Okposo to continue where he left off last season.

Zemgus Girgensons, C

I debated on whether to place Girgensons or Casey Mittelstadt here, given the former’s ability to slide into a role Cody Eakin is leaving behind. But for now, the physical Girgensons gets the nod over Mittelstadt. He has also built sound chemistry with Okposo, so it makes more sense to keep them on the same line in the short-term.

Rasmus Asplund, RW

One of the most polarizing players with the Buffalo Sabres fan base, Asplund‘s numbers indicate that he is an underperformer. But when you watch him play, he is lethal on the forecheck. And for his efforts, he finished 19th for the Selke Trophy. He is a perfect fit, at least early on, to man the right wing position on the third line.

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