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Buffalo Sabres: Jacob Bryson is stepping up and showing strides

By Sion Fawkes

Nov 5, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA;Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson (78) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA;Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson (78) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson is one of two defensemen in the normal rotation that has played in all 12 games this season. 

The Buffalo Sabres need their back-end defensemen to step up and fill the shoes of Rasmus Dahlin, Henri Jokiharju, and Mattias Samuelsson while the trio is on the mend. Dahlin, often regarded as the Sabres best player, is the latest in the rotation to suffer an injury. And while his presence leaves a gaping hole, the Sabres have at least been able to exert damage control early on.

Jacob Bryson, who was often stuck on the third pairing last season, has stepped up big alongside Owen Power. And while I’m not endorsing Bryson to become a permanent fixture on the Sabres top and middle pairings, I do want to recognize that he has stepped up to the plate and continues to improve during what is his second full season in the Queen City.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson making strides

What has impressed me about Bryson so far this season is his ability to spoil would-be scoring plays, having logged 19 blocks in 12 games. This puts him on pace for 130 this season over an 82-game stretch. He also has six takeaways, which is putting him on pace to threaten his previous career high of 24 set last season.

And while Bryson has contributed well on the defensive side, he has also made strides offensively, having scored five points (1 + 4), putting him halfway to his previous career-best in points (10) last season. Note that in 2021-22, he played in 73 games. If he keeps up his current pace offensively, Bryson can potentially score 34 this year.

Overall, Bryson still isn’t my preferred defenseman to start in the middle or top pairings full-time. But it hasn’t stopped him from delivering sound returns early in the defensive and offensive zones.

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If Bryson keeps this up, he could end the season as one of the most improved players on the Buffalo Sabres roster. So far, the returns have exceeded my expectations.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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