Buffalo Sabres Season Preview: Breaking down the forwards – 2022
The 2022-23 NHL Season is right around the corner. So how do the Buffalo Sabres forwards fare? Keep reading for a rundown.
For the first time in forever, optimism is high regarding the Buffalo Sabres. Unlike in years’ past, they are finally applying their long-term, five-plus-year plan, and so far, it has worked wonders. No, there has been no playoff berth, but at least this team started winning games toward the end of the 2021-22 season.
And best yet, their power play improved and they scored far more than they did during a tumultuous, injury and COVID-riddled October 2021 to February 2022. If the Sabres stay healthy at forward this season, you can expect them to maintain or exceed the 3.14 goals per game they scored over the last two months of the season.
Who will end up where at forward for the Buffalo Sabres?
First Line: Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch
Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch forged a lethal trio who can realistically remain up front for the next five seasons (or longer). Skinner enjoyed quite the comeback year while Thompson broke out and led the team with 68 points and 38 goals. Tuch came over in the Jack Eichel trade and played lights out when he was healthy enough to join the lineup.
Second Line: Peyton Krebs, Casey Mittelstadt, Victor Olofsson
This line is full of potential, and a healthy Casey Mittelstadt showed late last season that he can be a playmaker, but he must display more work ethic and prove he can play a full season without major injury. Krebs is entering his first full season with the Sabres and he showed immense potential by converting 15 percent of his shots on goal. Olofsson was arguably the best scorer during those final two months, but he must remain consistent all year.
Third Line: Rasmus Asplund, Dylan Cozens, J.J. Peterka
No one gets a bad rap more than Asplund, who is one of the best defensive forwards in hockey. Expect more of the same this year while Cozens puts last season’s inconsistent woes behind. His work ethic is far too great and he will overcome that infamous drop-off in production. Peterka is a hard-hitter and a prototypical third liner.
Fourth Line: Kyle Okposo (C), Zemgus Girgensons (A), Jack Quinn
Okposo and Girgensons are a phenomenal combo who still have great chemistry when playing on the same line. Girgensons has played most of his career at wing, but I like him at center for the moment. Though that may change. Quinn is a player everyone is interested in watching and it wouldn’t surprise me if he saw time on the middle six, perhaps switching spots with Krebs, who may wind up bumping inside to fourth-line center while Girgensons kicks outside to winger.
Rotational: Vinnie Hinostroza, Brett Murray
No one is a better utility in the system than Hinostroza and he can fill in easily if there is an injury. Murray is a hard-hitter who can enter a part-time role as an enforcer.
Must Read. Players who must improve in 2022-23. light
Overall, this group still has a lot of growing up to do, which is why I got Okposo and Girgensons listed as captains – feel free to castigate me. But for 2022-23, the young players need to continue developing their game before they take on even greater roles in 2023-24. If I were grading this crop, I would give them a C+, with the potential for a higher grade if they continue to improve.