Buffalo Sabres: 3 role-playing forwards to watch in 2022-23
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres will see their high-scorers return and exciting rookies move up to the main roster next year. But don’t forget about these role players.
When you think about the Buffalo Sabres forwards, names like Jeff Skinner, Victor Olofsson, Alex Tuch, and Tage Thompson often reach the forefront of your mind. But there are three forwards on the roster who have carved decent niche roles on the team, or will do so in 2022-23.
You won’t see the following forwards score much. But there are either situations or games themselves where their presence may become invaluable. Let’s meet these three forwards and discuss which role they will fit well into for the upcoming season.
Three role-playing forwards that will help the Buffalo Sabres in 2022-23: Forward #1 – Rasmus Asplund (Defense)
When you look at Rasmus Asplund’s offensive statistics, they are among the least-relevant on the Buffalo Sabres, given his eight goals and 19 assists in 2021-22. The defensive forward, in his first full season playing with the Sabres – just 29 games in 2019-20 and 28 in 2020-21 – finished in 19th for the Selke Trophy.
One reason stems from Asplund’s tendency to create opportunities for himself and teammates following a stellar defensive play. He also fits head coach Don Granato’s high-pressure philosophy when the Sabres are not in possession of the puck and he is especially brilliant on the forecheck.
Defensively and offensively, Asplund displays both puck awareness and a high hockey IQ. Something you will see develop further in 2022-23. I expect him to slide into a winger role on the third line, most likely with Dylan Cozens, who also completed his first full season with the Sabres.