The Buffalo Sabres are one of the youngest teams in the NHL. But they do have a few players at and over age 30 projected to play on the active roster.
Not only do the Buffalo Sabres have some players aged 30 and older, but they may produce well in 2022-23. Even the elder statesman of the group, Craig Anderson, can put up stellar numbers if he is not called on to play often.
Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo are the 30-and-over stars on the Sabres this season. And although I have a bold prediction listed for them, there are also predictions that could easily become a reality this season.
Riley Sheahan is one player many fans may forget about. And while he projects to be nothing more than a fourth-liner, he too has one key statistic I expect him to excel in. So let’s talk about these four players and one bold prediction I have listed.
One bold prediction for the Buffalo Sabres over-30 crowd: Prediction #1 – Craig Anderson logs a 0.910 save percentage
Anderson hasn’t logged a save percentage of 0.910 or better since 2016-17 at age 35, unless you count his four-game stint with the Washington Capitals in 2020-21. Now that Anderson is most likely a backup in 2022-23, the Sabres shouldn’t need to call on him to play any more than 25 games.
Ideally, Anderson plays in 10-15 contests, with the bulk coming in 2022 and early 2023 if Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen earns himself NHL ice time. Assuming Eric Comrie stays healthy, Anderson’s limited ice time will allow him to shine, giving the 41-year-old his first 0.910-plus save percentage in double-digit games for the first time in half a decade.
Of course, the Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation figures to be better. So Anderson will have more help in 2022-23 than he got last season.