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Analyzing the Buffalo Sabres forwards for 2023-24 (Position of Strength)

By Sion Fawkes

Feb 28, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres had among the best forwards in 2022-23, a far cry from what they were when training camp rolled around in 2021.

Unlike my forwards rankings, this list goes beyond the NHL level and dips into the prospects pool. While we know more about the state of the forwards than we do the defensive rotation and goaltenders – to some degree – there is still some mystery surrounding what the unit will look like when the puck drops roughly six months from now.

So what do we know about this position group heading into next season, and what questions need to be answered? Keep reading for a full breakdown.

Buffalo Sabres
Apr 10, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) breaks his stick while fighting for the puck against Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Analyzing notable forwards in the Buffalo Sabres system

Shoo-Ins for 2023-24

Obviously, Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch will headline the unit once again. They were the most productive scorers in the lineup, and you can only expect them to get better as the team improves as a unit.

You also have the center position as a whole locked down, since Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, and Peyton Krebs could line up behind Tage. At winger, Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka saw their ups and downs, but they both dramatically improved as the season reached its twilight phase.

Will Trend North

Jordan Greenway struggled, despite scoring four goals in 17 contests. But at this point, he’s no more than a fourth liner/extra skater, the latter of which is where I put him in my latest 2023-24 projections.

Why trending north, you may ask? This is the kind of player head coach Don Granato can really work with. Give Greenway a full offseason and camp, and he might turn into a more serviceable player.

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