5 Buffalo Sabres who can win individual awards in 2022-23

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Nov 18, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Rasmus Asplund (74) looks to take a shot on goal during the second period against the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Rasmus Asplund, Selke

If there is one underrated player on the Buffalo Sabres, it is Rasmus Asplund. And while his scoring output is below pedestrian (27 points in 80 games last season), his defensive efforts did not go unnoticed, as he finished 19th for the Selke, awarded to the forward who shows the most defensive prowess.

While you won’t see Asplund’s efficacy in defensive statistics like hits, blocks, and takeaways, you will see it shine in his possession metrics. At even strength, Asplund’s Corsi For Percentage (CF%) never traveled north of 48.1, before it climbed to 52.8 in 2021-22. His Fenwick For Percentage (FF%) also increased, and it rested at 52.9.

This means the Sabres controlled the puck more often with Asplund on the ice. And in many cases, it was because Asplund was on the ice, as he routinely served as one of the Sabres more disruptive players.

While I listed a couple of downsides with Dahlin and Okposo, it is hard for me to be critical in any way over Asplund next to his pedestrian offensive statistics. I fully expect him to contend once again for the Selke, and perhaps finishing, at worst, in the top 10 for the award.

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