Buffalo Sabres: Who will fill the lower lines at center in 2022-23?

The Buffalo Sabres look far better on paper in 2022-23 than they did this time last season, but center remains a major area of concern. 

Earlier today, I unveiled my projections for what is perhaps the biggest position battle going on at Buffalo Sabres training camp. Two projected wingers, however, may end up seeing more time at center – Zemgus Girgensons and Rasmus Asplund.

Girgensons is listed as a center on Hockey-Reference while Asplund is listed as a forward, and they were two of four lower line players to see ample time at the position during the intra-squad scrimmage game on Saturday. The Sabres also labeled Asplund a center for Team Gold.

For Girgensons, fortunately, he is ready to suit up and play any position head coach Don Granato asks him to play. Here is what he said in The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski’s camp observations:

"“I think both come naturally to me wherever I’ve been put in. Whatever position I have to play this season, it doesn’t really matter to me. I feel natural at both.” – via Buffalo News."

Girgensons and Asplund playing center is a good idea for the Buffalo Sabres

While the likeliest outcome is that Girgensons and Asplund see more time at wing than at center, their flexibility to play both positions will give the Sabres a dose of versatility some teams don’t have.

Girgensons, who mainly played wing on the lower lines, is one of the better options to kick inside to center this year. A better player than many give him credit for, his value at center augments itself further since he won nearly 50% of his faceoffs this past season. This makes him an excellent candidate to fulfill the role of fourth line center if called upon.

Asplund has mainly played winger in the NHL, but played center for an extended period in the lower divisions before he kicked outside to winger. That said, he has experience at the position that could take him a long way this season if Granato asks him to kick inside.

Suppose Asplund and Girgensons receive extended playing time at center, what would my projected lower lines look like? Check them out below:

Line Three: Quinn-Cozens-Peterka

Line Four: Okposo-Asplund/Girgensons-Girgensons/Asplund

Extras: Hinostroza, Sheahan

One major change is that I have Peterka on the third line. My other projection goes in favor of the veterans, however, in the case where Asplund and Girgensons play or switch in and out at center, I’m sensing an extremely young third line that will grow together.

There is also the possibility that, if the Sabres aren’t keen on such inexperience on the third, they bump Quinn to the second and pull Peyton Krebs down a notch.

Brandon Biro and Riley Sheahan also saw time at center and are potential candidates to become rotational pieces on the fourth line. Biro is the surprise candidate, as many, myself included, believe he is a shoo-in to wind up back in Rochester.

You can go to various sources and get different opinions on Sheahan. Lysowski, for example, stated Sheahan has a better chance of opening the season with the Amerks. However, I can’t help but embrace his experience and defensive mind. Both may be enough to keep him on the main roster.

Article Source: Observations: Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Aspund candidates to play center by Lance Lysowski