Buffalo Sabres: Making the case for captaincy in 2023-24
There are many options for who the next captain of the Buffalo Sabres could be. Let’s take a look at the candidates for 2023-24.
Kyle Okposo – 35 Years old – 75 GP | 11 goals | 17 assists | 28 points
Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is open to resigning Okposo, that much we already know. It definitely won’t be for $6 million per season again, so the veteran forward will take a pay cut, and Okposo is the type of player to happily do it.
His best years are behind him and it will likely be hard for the veteran to keep up with the young core the Sabres posses. However, Okposo has an impressive resume in his case for captaincy. Every player in the locker room sees him as a leader, so it’s easy to see why he was chosen to be the Sabres Captain this past season.
Okposo served as the Alternate Captain for seven seasons with the New York Islanders. Then after coming to Buffalo, served as our Alternate Captain for five seasons before earning the C. It was a choice that many Sabres fans, players, and Sabres staff members agreed with.
When reading up on interviews of the players, everyone had nothing but good things to say about their Captain. Overall, it’d be nice to see Okposo come back for another season or two to play a bottom six role and continue to lead our youngsters into a playoff spot. I’d also like to see Craig Anderson return as a coach to have another leader like Okposo around as well.
Who should be the Buffalo Sabres team captain in 2023-24?
Jeff Skinner – 30 Years old – 79 GP | 35 goals | 47 assists | 82 points
When I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston plays in the KeyBank Center, Jeff Skinner scores on an amazing snipe, and the crowd goes wild! That amazing smile is on Skinner’s face, the entire bench and the Sabres on the ice light up, and everyone gets a boost of energy. That is the Jeff Skinner Effect.
This is the type of effect you look for in a Captain. It’s the energy supplied to us by Okposo. Before Jack Eichel became Public Enemy #1 he supplied that energy.
It’s just a gift leaders have. They bring everyone around them together, and they bring out the best in you.
Skinner served as an Alternate for the Carolina Hurricanes for two seasons, though I think it is unlikely that he will be given the C here in Buffalo, especially with the leaders we currently have in the room. However, it’s possible for Skinner to get the A sometime during his remaining 4 seasons here.
Alex Tuch – 26 Years old – 74 GP | 36 goals | 43 assists | 79 points
Kevyn Adams’ philosophy of bringing in players who want to play here fits Alex Tuch. The Syracuse, New York native came here in the Eichel deal and was ecstatic about it.
So much, that it even shows in the stats category. Tuch came in and has established himself on the Buffalo Sabres top line and is a fan favorite.
Tuch is a leader in the locker room, off the ice, and on the ice. He has the ability to drive the play and improve those around him. Tuch’s community involvement earned him the Rick Martin Memorial Award this season. His traditional “WOO!” seems to have an effect on players and fans similar to the Jeff Skinner Smile Effect.
If it were up to me, I’d name Tuch the Captain of the Buffalo Sabres. He’s my personal favorite for Captaincy but I’d be happy with anyone selected in this article. He’s in his prime, productive, involved, and well liked by fans, staff, and players. What more could he offer?
Tage Thompson – 25 Years old – 78 GP | 47 goals | 47 assists | 94 points
Tage Thompson this season did a lot that Sabres fans haven’t seen in a long time. It felt that when he got onto the ice, all eyes were on him. It seemed as if he led the charge into the opposing zone giving us the edge in momentum. Tage is the type of player you want on the ice at all times, to play the entire game without resting if he could.
With the others mentioned and those soon to be mentioned, Thompson may not deserve the C, but he deserves to be considered for it. Our own superstar who actually enjoys playing here and wants to be part of the future.
Ragin’ Tage took a huge pay cut when signing his contract extension. He’s the type of player that could’ve easily asked for $10 million+ each season for how much of a superstar he’s become.
However, he understands that the salary cap can be tricky, and the more we save, the more money we’ll have to fill in gaps through trade or free agency. It’s identical to MacKinnon or Crosby taking pay cuts so their teams can improve all around. Mad respect for them and Thompson.
Mattias Samuelsson – 23 Years old – 55 GP | 2 goals | 8 assists | 10 points
Points aren’t everything. Especially for a defensive defenseman like Mattias Samuelsson. He did a lot of hitting and blocking this season, with107 hits and 91 blocks to be exact. However, there’s a lot more to Captaincy than hitting and blocking.
Sure, Samuelsson looks like he’s in his 30s. The lefty defenseman is maybe a bit young to be wearing the C at only 23. Yet he’s already making a case to be considered for Captaincy.
We’ve seen how much of a difference maker he is. This season, the Sabres went 33-18-4 with Samuelsson playing but when he was injured they were 9-15-3.
He has also taken a pay cut much like Thompson and Cozens. He’s locked in for the next seven years on a very team friendly deal. It will be fun to see how he continues to develop.
Rasmus Dahlin – 23 Years old – 78 GP | 15 goals | 58 assists | 73 points
It’s weird to acknowledge that Rasmus Dahlin is only 23. It feels like he’s been here longer than five seasons, at least for me. The electric defenseman LOVES sticking up for teammates, and that adds to the many reasonings why he’s so fun to watch.
I love seeing highlights of players on the opposing team taking cheap shots and making dirty plays, only for Dahlin to step in and manhandle them. That right there is a solid case for Captaincy. Dahlin will drop the gloves if necessary and hit like a madman when it’s needed.
Dahlin wore the A for the first time in his tenure with the Sabres. It was well deserved, and I’d like to continue seeing him rock the A for more seasons to come. We can only hope, that he follows the steps of Thompson, Cozens, and Samuelsson by taking a good pay cut to help the team put money towards more quality players.
Dylan Cozens – 22 Years old – 81 GP | 31 goals | 37 assists | 68 points
Last but certainly not least on our list in the Case for Captaincy is the one, the only, Dylan Cozens! He is a great team player, excellent on and off the ice, and well respected in the locker room. Cozens may be one of the youngest on the team but I think he is top three in most qualified. (Behind Okposo and Tuch).
Cozens can play physical, he’s productive, he’ll drop the gloves, stick up for teammates, and lead the youngest players in the group. We saw it first hand this season when he led the charge on the second line. Centering for JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn, often referred to as the Kid Line.
Cozens signed for seven seasons at a very reasonable $7 million per season. His current productivity is already worth it for the contract. However, he’ll only continue to get better and reach another level under Granato. As I mentioned, this is something we love to see rather than the typical “Give me as much money as I can get” we often see in players.
Cozens also made a special appearance at the Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge that took place before the season. That’s something special, especially by someone coming in from Whitehorse, Canada. It’s possible that Tuch could be named Captain if Okposo does not re-sign then having Cozens next in line for that honor.
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Let me know in the comments who you think deserves Captaincy of the Buffalo Sabres and why. It’ll be interesting to see what Adams does this offseason regarding this area. All in all, he still has a lot of work to do. I’m excited to see how it all unfolds.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)