Buffalo Sabres: Way too early prediction of the 2023-24 lineup

Lately, many in Buffalo Sabres circles have been predicting the Blue and Gold’s lineup for 2023-24. So let’s make our first (of many) projections. 

When you’re predicting the lineup after 70 games of the regular season, it feels like you’re throwing in the towel. And while the Buffalo Sabres have struggled since February 28th, let’s not forget what they’ve accomplished between October 13th and February 27th.

And that alone should provide plenty of optimism for 2023-24. So much, that you aren’t going to see fluctuation in the lineup I’ve concocted below, especially at forward.

Though you will also see some new faces, both in the system, and yes, there will be a free agent signing below. After Buffalo played so well at times, specifically between October 13th and February 27th, you can count on general manager Kevyn Adams to make one big, surprising acquisition in the defensive rotation, helping to negate struggles like we saw in November, and what we’re also seeing today.

Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 lineup projection 1.0

As mentioned, this projection is subject to change. But it gives us a good starting base. Note, that I’m NOT including extras at the moment.

First Line: Skinner – Tage – Tuch

Second Line: Peterka – Cozens – Quinn

Third Line: Mittelstadt – Jost – Kulich

Fourth Line: Greenway – Krebs – Murray

Of course, the first two lines remain relatively the same, and even the third. Obviously, I’m projecting the Sabres to bring back Tyson Jost, who has shown us more than enough to stick around this year. Jiri Kulich and Brett Murray, the latter of whom I’m also projecting the Sabres to re-sign, also get the call-up.

First Pairing: Samuelsson – Dahlin

Second Pairing: Vladislav Gavrikov – Power

Third Pairing: Lyubushkin – Stillman

Goaltenders: Comrie – Luukkonen

Scanning the list of available free agents, Vladislav Gavrikov would be a prize deal for the Buffalo Sabres. While some will scoff at this since he’s yet another LHD, the fact of the matter is this: The Sabres need quality defensemen. So if you have a chance to snag one, you take it. 

Gavrikov won’t come cheap, and that could potentially deter Adams. But after what the Sabres managed to do between Game 1 and Game 58, it’s easier to see Adams making a major upgrade this offseason as opposed to 2022.

There is a chance Gavrikov will re-sign with the Los Angeles Kings, but following the trade deadline, he reportedly was uninterested in an extension. This states that he may be willing to test the free agent market.

Another surprise here would be the goaltenders. Comrie and Luukkonen have been horrible at times in 2022-23. However, with poor defense in front of them, the duo (plus Craig Anderson) have been left to fend for themselves far too often this season.

Okay, so what about Devon Levi? Let’s wait and see how he looks in a few NHL games before we make any projections.

In short, Adams addresses the defensive rotation and signs someone like Gavrikov, giving both goaltenders one more chance to show that they can produce in the net. So I’ll go bold and project, early at least, that they stick to the goalies they got.