Ranking the Buffalo Sabres defensemen from 2022-23
The Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation struggled in 2022-23, but some good also came from the group, especially with the young guys. Here is how they rank.
The Buffalo Sabres need to improve defensively for 2023-24 if they plan on snapping what will be a near-13-year playoff drought. They do have some pieces, however, that will stick with the team for quite some time, like Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Mattias Samuelsson.
Problem is, three of the other spots are up for grabs. Ilya Lyubushkin plays well when healthy, but when banged up, he’s less than pedestrian. Henri Jokiharju and Jacob Bryson were disappointments, while Kale Clague and Riley Stillman were serviceable for a couple of players who are, at most, part-time NHL starters.
For a snapshot on all eight primary defensemen, check out my player grades, which provides a quick overview of how each player performed this past season, plus a projection of whether they will return next year. For a more in-depth look at each player and an idea of where they rank in the hierarchy, keep reading.
How do the Buffalo Sabres defensemen rank from 2022-23?
8 – Jacob Bryson
I was excited for Jacob Bryson to improve this season to the point he could have eventually comprised a young pairing with Owen Power if it wasn’t there with Henri Jokiharju. Instead, Bryson probably shouldn’t even come back following that debacle of a season where about the only thing he did well involved his 69 blocks.
His average total ice time dropped by nearly four minutes, and he played in just 59 of 82 games this season, often seeing the press box later in the year thanks to poor performances. Bryson finished with a team-worst -24.
Who was the second-worst defensemen in that category? Henri Jokiharju, who rounded out the year at -12.
7- Riley Stillman
We only saw Riley Stillman play in 18 games, so to a degree, his lower ranking partially comes from a smaller sample size. He averaged just 12:03 of ice time per game, but he also snagged 29 hits, many of which I’d rather not be on the receiving end of, so his play brimmed with physicality.
However, it’s hard to ignore that opponents logged a ridiculous 14.1% shooting percentage when he was on the ice at even strength and 5 on 5, meaning the on-ice save percentage sat at just 85.9%. Ideally, Stillman is an extra skater heading into 2023-24, someone you put in against a physical opponent.
6 – Kale Clague
Kale Clague saw 33 games this season, but he played relatively well for someone that was a fringe NHL talent who will probably wind up spending most of his career in the AHL. He had 24 hits and 24 blocks across those 33 contests, and Buffalo’s on ice save percentage hovered between 88.2% and 88.6% at even strength and 5 on 5, respectively.
Down the stretch, Clague also outplayed and got the nod over Jacob Bryson, who was supposed to be a staple on the third pairing this season. Overall, though, Clague may have done a serviceable job for such a low-end NHL talent, but you can expect the Sabres to try and upgrade.
5 – Henri Jokiharju
The Buffalo Sabres seemed to suffer with Henri Jokiharju on the ice, and I couldn’t tell you how many times I saw him out of position over the 60 games he played this past season. To his credit, Jokiharju displayed some excellent recovery speed, but he was responsible for more than a few of those 300 goals the Blue and Gold allowed this season.
It also reflects in Buffalo’s save percentage when he was on the ice, which sat at a meager 89.2% at even strength AND at 5 on 5. At this point, he’s nothing more than someone you put onto the third pairing.
4 – Ilya Lyubushkin
Ilya Lyubushkin was one of the Sabres more physical defensemen, but he was often banged up, which curtailed his on-ice productivity. While he snagged a career high in points per game (0.205) and came one point shy of his overall career high with 14 points, Lyubushkin also took care of the puck better than most defensemen, giving it up just 20 times.
The Sabres also played better overall when he was on the ice, with a save percentage of 91.1% at even strength, and 91.6% at 5 on 5. Lyubushkin is best suited for the third pairing, and he could be even more effective if his body can handle the carnage.
3 – Owen Power
Nothing seemed to phase Owen Power this season, so averaging 23:48 of ice time per game this past season was a cinch. While Power made his rookie mistakes, he also contributed well on both sides of the ice, scoring 35 points, 4 goals, and 31 assists, while defensively, the Buffalo Sabres averaged a 91.5% on ice save percentage when he was out there at 5 on 5, and 90.8% at even strength.
While he didn’t score as often as some thought he would, and that, in turn, will probably negate his quest for the Calder, Power was more than good enough for fans to get excited about him heading into his second full season. There is already talk of general manager Kevyn Adams seeking to sign him to a long-term deal.
2 – Rasmus Dahlin
You may be shocked to find Rasmus Dahlin ranked second instead of at the top, given his 15 goals, 58 points, and 73 assists. Dahlin also grew up this season, serving as not only a team captain, but also as a domineering presence on the ice that many opponents would rather not play against.
Look for Dahlin to finish in the top five for the Norris this season, if not more. And don’t be surprised if he ends up winning the award multiple times in his career.
1 – Mattias Samuelsson
I’ll let everyone else put Rasmus Dahlin at number one, but the Buffalo Sabres suffered in Mattias Samuelsson’s absence. Buffalo became so reliant on the stay-at-home defensemen, that he ended up playing through multiple injuries until the New Jersey Devils knocked the Sabres out of contention, the most notable of which were a sprained MCL and a broken hand.
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Samuelsson is no scorer, and it’s why many will rank the two-way Dahlin and perhaps even the upstart Owen Power over him. But he’s physical, and constantly forcing opponents to change pace. His 91 blocks in 55 games also tells his he’s got a knack for spotting the puck.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)