Three games, three dynamic Buffalo Sabres in the early part of the 2022-23 season. Who made the list? Keep reading to find out.
It’s been just three games, but three members of the Buffalo Sabres have jumped out at me in the season’s early going. The following three players have exceeded perhaps even the Sabres faithful’s wildest expectations, and are on pace to enjoy monster seasons and perhaps contend for an award or two.
This is assuming they keep up their high-octane play. Whether it’s scoring goals, making highlight reel plays, or a combination thereof, here are three Sabres whose game has risen a cut above everyone else’s.
1 – Rasmus Dahlin is on a record-breaking pace
Rasmus Dahlin has four points in three games and is on pace for 103 this season. Not a bad total for a defenseman. And while I expect things to even out, I have no doubt that he will be a top five defenseman in the points category.
So far, Dahlin has three goals, joining only Victor Hedman as the only two defenseman since 1992-93 to accomplish the feat. And knowing how good of a player Hedman is, Dahlin is in decent company.
2 – J.J. Peterka has been the Buffalo Sabres best rookie
If I had to rank the Buffalo Sabres three rookies this season, I would have ranked Peterka a distant third. Not that I thought his talent paled when compared to Owen Power and Jack Quinn; I just foresaw some struggles until at least midseason, when he would pick things up.
Meanwhile, Power has been up and down and Quinn was a healthy scratch in last evening’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers. As for Peterka? He has three points, two goals, an assist, plus a 40% shooting percentage in the season’s early going.
3 – Eric Comrie is silencing critics
If you followed Eric Comrie’s preseason performance from a numbers standpoint only, you’d probably ask, “Why did the Sabres sign this guy?” Comrie would go on to enjoy a productive season debut, however, stopping 33 of 37 shot on goal.
In his road debut for the Sabres, Comrie saved 46 of 48 shots on goal, logging First Star honors in the process. In two starts, Comrie has saved 79 out of 85, good for a 0.929 save percentage. His GAA sits at 3.01, but don’t let that number fool you. The Sabres haven’t necessarily given Comrie much help for stretches in those first two outings.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)