3 Buffalo Sabres who must prove themselves in season’s final stretch
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres are a more stable team than they were in 2021-22. However, there might still be a few roster moves in the making.
The good news? The Buffalo Sabres, with 71 points, are a far cry from what they were this time last season. So much, that their number of wins, 33, already exceeded the 32 they snagged last season.
But despite the good vibes flowing through this team (when healthy), there are still a few players who will be fighting to prove that they belong with the Blue and Gold. One player I have listed below might already be on his way out unless he enjoys a strong final stretch of the regular season.
Another player has arguably been the team’s most up and down veteran. If he plays the way he did in last night’s big win, then Buffalo could keep him around. But if he regresses, look for a potential change.
The final player listed is in the best position to return to the Queen City in a bottom six role. He’s not flashy, but he’s nonetheless been effective.
3 Buffalo Sabres with something to prove in the final 16 games
1 – Victor Olofsson
Perhaps no one on the Buffalo Sabres needs to prove themselves as much as Victor Olofsson. He has an impressive 24 goals, and that number ranks fifth on the team. But he does and has done little else.
As it stands, I see someone, likely a prospect, eventually supplanting Olofsson in the lineup if he manages to stick around next season. Next to his 24 goals, Olofsson has a (-22) rating, which is a team-worst, tied with only Jacob Bryson, and he is perhaps the team’s biggest defensive liability.
What’s frustrating regarding Olofsson is the fact that the Sabres have given him every chance to succeed, more chances than he deserves, and he’s still been nothing short of a letdown. Unless he has an epic final leg of the season, Olofsson will be on a hotter seat than any member of the Blue and Gold. And he will face intense competition next season.