The Buffalo Sabres were the youngest team in hockey this season, but they outplayed their age and experience, hanging around the playoff race in April.
The Buffalo Sabres and their fanbase couldn’t have asked for a better debut from Devon Levi. Having saved 31 of 33 shots on goal for a 0.939 save percentage and taking home First Star honors, you couldn’t ask for more from a kid who was still playing college hockey just over two weeks prior.
And if Levi repeats these performances, there is a good chance he enters training camp in the conversation to snag a spot as either the top goaltender, or the primary “backup” who will play far more games than any typical backup. But he isn’t the only prospect (yes, he’s still technically a prospect) who could find himself in a blue and gold uniform next season.
The Sabres may be a young team. But don’t be surprised if they are even younger in 2023-24. Here is how this is possible.
Yes, the Buffalo Sabres could be even younger in 2023-24
You got Kyle Okposo, Zemgus Girgensons, Craig Anderson, and Vinnie Hinostroza playing in the final year of their respective deals. The average age between the four? 35.75, and with plenty of talent in Rochester, it’s possible none of the above will return.
Logistically, however, I would say one of them – either Okposo or Girgensons – sticks around. But that still leaves a few voids on the roster. So who would replace the above names if three, if not all four of them, left?
We know Lukas Rousek is already getting a look, so let’s peg him in there. Jiri Kulich is also a viable candidate to sneak his way onto the roster, as are Brandon Biro and Brett Murray, with the latter coming in to fill Hinostroza’s role.
That’s four forwards. However, they are only replacing three names if neither Hinostroza, Okposo, nor Girgensons returns. Suppose Rousek and Biro replace Okposo and Girgensons, Murray replaces Hinostroza, so where does that leave Kulich?
He would be playing in the slot Victor Olofsson will inevitably leave behind. Olofsson may be a good scorer, but it’s about all he had to offer in 2022-23, and Kulich will bring a more well-rounded game.
Okay, so what if either Girgensons or Okposo return? In that case, they would just become part of the rotation along with Murray, most likely rotating with either Rousek, Biro, or both.
At goaltender, Levi would replace Anderson, while either Eric Comrie or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen take the other spot. Of course, this is assuming general manager Kevyn Adams doesn’t shop for a goaltender.
In this possible scenario, you got Rousek, Biro, Murray, Levi, and Kulich coming in, with Olofsson, either Girgensons or Okposo, Anderson, and Hinostroza leaving. The young players coming in would boast an average age of 23 next season, and it would likely leave the Buffalo Sabres average age close to, if not slightly younger, than it is today.