Magnificent 7! Ranking performances of 7 Buffalo Sabres 25 and under
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres are the youngest team in the NHL, and they have seven youngsters busy lighting up the league one way or another.
Peyton Krebs has come on ultra-strong for the Buffalo Sabres in recent games over the likes of players like Casey Mittelstadt. With three goals in his last four outings, Krebs’ role will increase if his output stays up there.
Players like Henri Jokiharju and Tyson Jost are also effective youngsters for the Blue and Gold. But Jokiharju has found himself on injured reserve twice, and Jost is still relatively new to the team. That said, they may find themselves in the Magnificent 7 Buffalo Sabres Under 25 Rankings in due time. But for now, the following players stand out more than any other.
7 – Mattias Samuelsson
Samuelsson was also on injured reserve earlier this season, but since returning, he has become a staple for the Sabres. They are a much better team with him on the ice, as we all know what happened when he missed time with a lower body injury. While Samuelsson won’t score often, he defensive play is among the best on the team, and it shows.
6 – Owen Power
Power also hasn’t scored often, with just 10 points to show in 29 games. However, he is rarely getting caught out of position these days, and his 37 blocks is a remarkable number at the season’s 33% mark. Power’s plus/minus of (9) is also tied for third on the team.
5 – J.J. Peterka
Part III of the remarkable Kid Line, Peterka has 15 points in 29 contests, putting him on pace for 43 points in 2022-23. Like Quinn, Peterka has gotten better with experience, and you can expect that projected 43-point total to rise as the season continues.
4 – Jack Quinn
Part II of the Buffalo Sabres remarkable Kid Line, Quinn showed growing pains early. However, those pains have since negated, and the rookie is finding his stride, scoring 17 times in 24 games (6 + 11). So far, he is on pace to score 55 and could contend for the Calder if he keeps this pace.
3 – Dylan Cozens
No one on the Buffalo Sabres has broken out like Dylan Cozens this season. We saw Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson do similar things last year, and it put them both in consideration for the NHL All-Star Game. Cozens leads the Kid Line, and he has 30 points in 29 contests.
2 – Rasmus Dahlin
For a defenseman, 33 points in 28 games is a remarkable affair. Rasmus Dahlin is tied for the team lead in plus/minus with 12, and he has evolved into the NHL’s most aggressive players, with 43 hits and 45 blocks.
1 – Tage Thompson
When you score six points in just two contests over your first 29 games, you’re going to hit more than just the #1 spot on the Buffalo Sabres 25-and-under power rankings. With 44 points in 29 games, Tage Thompson ranks among the NHL’s elite forwards, and is on pace to score 124 this season if he keeps this up.
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Overall, the Buffalo Sabres active roster comprises 15 players aged 25 and under. And that doesn’t count Henri Jokiharju. But when you look at these rankings, it shows you the league’s youngest team is much better than their age. And they will get even better as the season progresses.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)
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