Here’s the herd for the Buffalo Sabres (now and in the future)
Picture this: you’re facing the Buffalo Sabres. A team that for many years on end, was way too easy to push over and bully.
You have the puck in your zone and you look up the ice. Your teammates are skating around trying to find their positioning. You see Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Mattias Samuelsson, and Rasmus Dahlin staring directly at you, hungry for the puck.
I’m sure I don’t speak for myself when I say “Man, that is an intimidating thought for sure.”
Yeah, the NHL has begun to focus less on physicality in the league, and more on speed and skill. Yet, hitting is still allowed so there’s a form of physicality still present in today’s game. Any player can be physical, but the tall ones with some good weight are usually the one’s that win the battle.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at our big guys (6’2+)! Here’s the Herd!
These Buffalo Sabres are big. Scary Big!
Ilya Lyubushkin: 6’2″ – 201 lbs.
On a team that needed some physicality, size, and right-handed depth, Boosh came in as a Free Agent and typically plays on the bottom pairing. At only 28 years old he is still in his prime. He has this season and next season on his contract at a reasonable $2.75 Million AAV. It’ll be interesting to see if he plays out the entirety of his contract here or if we flip him for assets at the trade deadline next year.
In 59 games Lyubushkin has 91 hits and 88 blocks. I personally love the physicality he brings to the team.
Zemgus Girgensons: 6’2″ – 212 lbs.
A leader on and off the ice who seems to have been here forever. He has played his whole career here in Buffalo. While he may have never lived up to the hype, Zemgus has been a loyal member of this organization. I’m curious to see if he’ll re-sign here after his contract ends or if he’ll sign with a different team in Free Agency.
In 71 games this season, the Latvian Locomotive has accumulated 89 hits and 41 blocks. While room on the roster may not be available for him next season, we will wish him well in his future endeavors.
Rasmus Dahlin: 6’3″ – 207 lbs.
Off the bat I just have to mention that I LOVE Dahlin. Size, speed, skill, stickhandling, physicality, and leadership. No wonder he was a #1 overall pick. My hope is when his contract expires, he takes a reasonable pay like Samuelsson, Cozens, and Thompson did. He has next season then becomes a RFA after. He’s also making a case for being the next Buffalo Sabres Captain.
In 69 games, Dahlin has 100 hits and 117 blocks. He also is an instigator. He’s not afraid to get physical and has an ‘in your face’ kind of attitude.
Dylan Cozens: 6’3″ – 207 lbs.
Another leader on and off the ice, Cozens’ dedication to the organization has made him a fan and Sabres staff favorite. He’s much like Dahlin in many ways. Cozens is a young leader who has also taken a reasonable pay check to give the organization a very friendly contract to work with. Having Thompson and Cozens locked up for seven more seasons gives the Sabres a legendary one-two punch on center. He also has a solid case to be the Sabres next Captain.
In 72 games he has 54 hits and 28 blocks. He’s shown he’s willing to drop the gloves and be a pest towards the other team.
Alex Tuch: 6’4″ – 216 lbs.
Look at this beautiful man. The flow, the beard, the intimidation, the skill. Alex Tuch is my favorite candidate for the Buffalo Sabres Captaincy next season. Since coming in from the Eichel trade, Tuch has made an immediate impact to the team. He’s also become a fan favorite. His smile has a Skinner-like smile effect to the game. He also looks like one of those guys you don’t want to mess with.
In 65 games he has 44 hits and 43 blocks. If he doesn’t become the Captain, I’d love to see him at least wear an A.
Mattias Samuelsson: 6’4″ – 227 lbs.
Samuelsson is a positive presence on and off the ice. It feels like when he’s injured the team isn’t the same and the losses start to rack up. He’s on a very team friendly deal with term and well liked in the locker room. Despite not being the flashiest of players, he makes up for it with playing a physical and strong defensive game.
In only 48 games, Samuelsson has 89 hits and 80 blocks. I am excited to see what he does next season if he remains healthy for the duration of it.
Jordan Greenway: 6’6″ – 231 lbs.
The most recent newcomer to the Sabres (other than Levi) is a huge Power Forward. Greenway is still getting adjusted to his new surroundings here in Buffalo. It appears he has struggled at times which is to be expected when coming right to a new organization. Next season will be a big one for him and I’m excited to see it. He has played in 53 games and has 92 hits and 31 blocks.
Owen Power: 6’6″ – 214 lbs.
So many of these guys have such a nice flow, I’m jealous. One of them is another 1st overall pick we have,
Owen Power. We all saw the rough patches Dahlin had when he first started playing in the NHL. Now he’s one of the greatest in the league and on our team. It’s so exciting seeing power grow as an NHLer and some day the top line of Power and Dahlin is going to be one of the best defensive pairings in the league.
So far, he’s had 70 games played. 25 hits. 81 blocks. Nice. Hopefully in the future he bumps up the hitting but for now I’m happy with him racking up those blocked shots.
Tage Thompson: 6’7″ – 218 lbs.
Wow. I am so speechless when it comes to Tage Thompson. A superhero-like name for an NHL All-Star. Roll the highlight reel and sit in amazement of this man. It’s rare to find someone of his size with the amount of speed and skill that he possesses. He also is making a case to be the next Captain of our lovely organization.
In 72 games he has 49 hits and 24 blocks. He is sitting at 89 points and with nine games remaining, it’s possible he will reach the 100 point mark. I am thrilled to have him here for another seven years.
Last Notes
This article is by no means a shot at smaller NHL players. It’s meant to get people thinking of the intimidation factor. Every successful NHL team has a great blend of big players, small players, speed/skill players, physical players, and all types.
The slope is getting slippery for Sabres after loss. light. Must Read
This season, even if we miss the playoffs, has been fun to watch and experience. It’s going to be interesting to see who we add and who we lose this off-season.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)