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2022-23 Buffalo Sabres: The good, the bad, and the concerning

By Sion Fawkes|
Dec 2, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson (72) shoots the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2021; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson (72) shoots the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period at FLA Live Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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The Buffalo Sabres are going into the 2022-23 NHL Season with high hopes. But that doesn’t mean this franchise is not finished rebuilding.

There are high hopes for the Buffalo Sabres heading into the 2022-23 NHL Season, but many believe this team is still a year away from seriously contending for the playoffs. Not that they won’t make things interesting for themselves, and I can easily see them at least hanging in the wild card race for a time.

But even if the Sabres don’t make it to the playoffs, it is not all doom and gloom. There are some very good things happening within the organization this season, but there are other aspects they can improve and must correct.

So what is good about the Buffalo Sabres in 2022-23? The bad? Or the concerning? Keep reading to discover more.

Buffalo Sabres
Jan 17, 2022; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) skates up ice with the puck during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

What are the best, the worst, and most concerning aspects regarding the 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres? Let’s start with – The Good

As you know, the Buffalo Sabres did not go on a spending frenzy during free agency. This is a sign that they are content with the players currently at the NHL level, and in the system. No, they may not be a playoff-caliber hockey team, but at least the days of roster makeovers are in the rearview.

And with incoming rookies like J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn slated to move up to a roster that already features a strong nucleus, the Sabres, on paper, will be a better all-around hockey team. While their division rivals in the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators made splashes via trades and free agency, the Sabres have an advantage in that their group has experience playing as a team.

And while the Sabres have young, exciting talent, we cannot forget about the more established players like Jeff Skinner. Skinner matched his career-high of 63 points last season, and winger Kyle Okposo also enjoyed a renaissance.

Finally, every Sabres fan will be curious to see the young but potentially star-studded defensive rotation featuring the likes of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. But we cannot forget about our hard-hitters in Ilya Lyubushkin, Mattias Samuelsson, and Casey Fitzgerald. Plus, a couple of reliable puzzle pieces like Henri Jokiharju and Jacob Bryson. This group will be fun to watch.

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