Buffalo Sabres: Defensive pairings are more than average

While it is okay to be optimistic about the forwards for the 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres, let’s not forget about the potential-laden defensive pairings. 

Yesterday, I touched on the Buffalo Sabres forwards and how fans should be feeling highly optimistic given a potential logjam at the position. Especially if the likes of Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs, and J.J. Peterka improve throughout the season, then the Sabres have a good problem on their hands.

Now let’s shift gears to the defensive side, where you will once again see a good problem. Behind Rasmus Dahlin, there are at least two players capable of pairing with him on the first line. Some like Henri Jokiharju, who often paired with Dahlin last season, while Mattias Samuelsson has won the popular vote to snag the role.

Others may even point to Owen Power, which would give Buffalo a pair of two-way players on the top line. But when you even look toward the rotational guys, you will know that this group is anything but average.

The Buffalo Sabres are facing a very good problem at their defensive pairings, even toward the bottom of the rotation.

Many fans I have interacted with believe newcomer Ilya Lyubushkin fits best on the third pairing, likely with either Jacob Bryson or Casey Fitzgerald. But given his 187 hits and 92 blocks, you may also conclude the punishing defenseman can log ice time on the second pairing if called upon. Especially if he is asked to pair with Power, someone with a polar opposite playing style.

I have mentioned numerous times that Jokiharju can easily wind up on the third pairing should Lyubushkin end up alongside Power. Jokiharju showed time and again last season he is capable of playing the first when he spent extended time there with Dahlin, so this further goes to show you how much depth the Buffalo Sabres have at the position.

We also cannot forget about Bryson, Fitzgerald, or even Lawerence Pilut. Pilut has proven himself capable of seeing extended playing time at the NHL level, while Fitzgerald has definitely carved out a niche as a hitter when he recorded 86 of them over 36 games last season.

Then there is Bryson, who coaches trusted with even more ice time in 2021-22 and he gave them steady returns. Promising returns in the takeaway department.

Overall, there are not many weaknesses on this rotation and the Sabres could easily keep all the aforementioned players on the active roster when the 2022-23 season rolls around. Best yet, if an injury were to occur, the Sabres will truly find themselves in a next man up mentality.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)