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Buffalo Sabres: Atlantic power rankings after first wave of free agency

BySion Fawkes|
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres skates 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: Rasmus Dahlin #26 of the Buffalo Sabres skates 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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The first wave of free agency is in the books, and the Buffalo Sabres resisted temptation and stuck to the plan while others in the Atlantic went all-in.

The Buffalo Sabres stayed the course during the first wave of 2022 NHL Free Agency. They held onto their own players like Victor Olofsson, Jacob Bryson, and Vinnie Hinostroza. The Sabres also brought in four defensemen, the most prominent of which being the enforcer, Ilya Lyubushkin. And of course, we cannot forget about goaltender Eric Comrie.

And while the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings dominated the headlines while the Sabres took the even-keel route, it doesn’t quite mean Ottawa and Detroit will surpass the blue and gold in the power rankings. Why? Ottawa’s and Detroit’s haul may be flashy, but the question remains: How quickly will the new puzzle pieces mesh?

That’s a tough call. And by retaining their own players and signing supplementary talent, it shows the Sabres are enjoying far more franchise stability these days. If it wasn’t the case, Adams would have never kept the likes of Olofsson, Bryson, and Hinostroza, among others, around. So, let’s dive deeper into the first edition of the Atlantic Division’s 2022-23 power rankings.

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 29: Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period against the Florida Panthers at Centre Bell on April 29, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 29: Brendan Gallagher #11 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period against the Florida Panthers at Centre Bell on April 29, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 10-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Ranking the Buffalo Sabres and the rest of the Atlantic: Team #8 – Montreal Canadiens

A team that is clearly in rebuilding mode, the Canadiens do not figure to contend in 2022-23 and their offseason shows it. And while there is still plenty of time to pull off a trade, it would be tough to convince a veteran to play for a team whose best acquisition (not including the draft) this offseason was center Kirby Dach.

The good news? The Canadiens signed first overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky to an entry-level deal. Slafkovsky poses a towering frame with the production to match, and he is a potentially franchise-changing player the Canadiens can build around.

While Montreal will pose no threat to the Buffalo Sabres this season, don’t be surprised if they end up winning more than a few games they otherwise wouldn’t if Slafkovsky catches on quickly. Even so, don’t expect them to spend too much time out of the Atlantic Division’s basement.

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