Sabre Noise
Fansided

The top 10 best players on the Buffalo Sabres roster in 2022

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson (72) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
Buffalo Sabres
Feb 13, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates his goal against Montreal Canadiens with teammates during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Player #2 – Jeff Skinner, LW

I spent the entire offseason flip-flopping of whether I should rank Skinner or Tage as the top forward on the Buffalo Sabres. Ultimately, Skinner won out since he has shown us time and again, back to his days in Carolina, that he is an accomplished player who can get hot at any time.

Yeah, he had two dreadful seasons between 2019-20 and 2020-21. But I’m not holding that against him because let’s be honest: Who didn’t have an abysmal season under the infamous Ralph Krueger?

Under Phil Housley, Skinner scored 63 points and 40 goals. Under Don Granato, Skinner also scored 63 points, 33 goals, and 30 assists. Critics love to knock on Skinner, claiming his contract was one of the worst in not just franchise, but NHL history.

My take? Hiring Ralph Krueger was the real mistake here. Not necessarily Skinner’s contract. My evidence? Skinner’s production when playing for coaches not named Ralph Krueger. No, Skinner hasn’t lived to his contract. But given his redemption last season and production during the pre-Krueger Era, it’s safe to say he remains arguably the best forward in Buffalo.

Home/Sabres News