Zemgus Girgensons has never put up gaudy numbers, and expect more of the same as he will take a spot on the Buffalo Sabres fourth line.
A couple months back, I stated Zemgus Girgensons should be one of the Buffalo Sabres three captains, and perhaps even wear the C for part of the year. While the article drew mixed reviews, I stated captaincy should go to the oldest skaters this season, given the added responsibility it requires.
Turns out, the Sabres almost universally agreed, giving Girgensons the A, Okposo the C, and 21-year-old Rasmus Dahlin the second A. It was a great move all around from the Sabres, though I still felt Dahlin is too young for the A. But it is what it is. Anyway, enough captain talk – let’s get into projecting Girgensons’ 2022-23 season.
Zemgus Girgensons may look to win faceoffs for the Buffalo Sabres
Last season, we saw Girgensons in 56 contests, where he scored 18 points, 10 goals, and eight assists. Girgensons also logged 14:47 of ice time, his highest number since 2015-16. What really jumped out, however, is that the center/winger played well in faceoffs, winning 49.8% of them.
The Sabres desperately need a faceoff specialist, and Girgensons could step into the fold. While I praised Casey Mittelstadt’s ability to win faceoffs this past Friday, there is no guarantee that his success in the faceoff circle was anything more than a one-game wonder.
Girgensons, while not posting the best faceoff win percentage, was at least somewhat consistent, and I can see him sliding into the role this year. Overall, I’m looking for the veteran forward to log a FOW% of at least 55%. Points-wise, expect Girgensons to snag between 15 and 25 as he moves further into a fourth-liner role.
In case you were wondering, I did boldly predict Girgensons and Okposo would switch patches in January. Step One is complete, and while it is farfetched, even as far as bold predictions go, it’s not like we haven’t seen captains rotate in the past.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)