3 reasons the Buffalo Sabres will not add new names to the roster

Don’t expect general manager Kevyn Adams to add any new names to the Buffalo Sabres roster. And that is a very good thing indeed.

The Buffalo Sabres have plenty of cap space to make a major roster move if they wanted to. And many would like to see the Sabres add more talent to their main roster. But after going through an NHL draft and a significant portion of the offseason without any major home runs, don’t expect general manager Kevyn Adams to make such decisions.

And that is a good thing. Why? Because Adams realizes that by adding another potential defenseman or a forward, especially a top four or a top six-caliber player, it may create major issues on what is otherwise becoming a tight-knit team, as the Sabres proved they were capable of being in March and April.

But this is just one reason Adams is smart to stand firm and to continue building the Sabres through the draft and the system in place, while using free agency and trades as supplements.

The Buffalo Sabres will likely add no new names to the roster for 2022-23 and that is a good thing: Reason #1 – They will allow their young players to grow

I have heard rumblings out there that the Buffalo Sabres would do well to add another forward. My question is: Why? As of July 30th, 2022, here are my top six:

First Line: Skinner, Thompson, Tuch

Second Line: Krebs, Mittelstadt, Olofsson

One thing I love about this top six is that they are young, with an average age of just 25. And they are also coming into their own, with the Thompson line having enjoyed some outstanding games in 2021-22. Especially during the second half of the season.

Victor Olofsson became a scoring machine, and Peyton Krebs earned a spot onto the Sabres main roster and he stayed there until joining the Rochester Americans for the Calder Cup Playoffs. Then, you look at the projected bottom six:

Third Line: Asplund, Cozens, Quinn/Peterka

Fourth Line: Quinn/Peterka, Girgensons, Okposo

The current lineup has proven they can win games for the Buffalo Sabres, evidenced with their run in March and April 2022

While I don’t know what the Sabres plans are for Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo following the season, it would be foolish for Adams to add another body to a lineup that had become familiar with playing together late last season.

If the Sabres didn’t go on a 16-9-3 run, then by all means, add someone. But the fact of the matter is that if you take those 35 points and even it out to an 82-game season, you get 103 points.

Having proved they are capable of winning, and growing, adding another player could stagnate that growth. It’s that “they are a player or two away” fallacy that can drown a team. Which is why I enjoyed seeing Detroit and Ottawa take the bait. The Sabres will grow from standing firm with their lineup. As for Detroit and Ottawa? It’s a gamble.