Kevyn Adams is right about the Buffalo Sabres defensemen
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation struggled last season, but Kevyn Adams believes in the unit. And he is more than correct in that belief.
While I will concede that the Buffalo Sabres need a top four defenseman, their rotation, as Adams implied, isn’t as bad as many in hockey circles would like to think. We know this, given how effective they can be when Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson, and even Ilya Lyubushkin are 100% healthy.
When that trio went down with or played through injury last year, the Sabres struggled defensively. We also can’t forget about Owen Power, who made serious strides this past season, and his efforts made him a finalist for the Calder. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, here is what Adams had to say about the rotation:
"“What’s important is we have a really, really good D corps to start. When you think about the age of our guys and what I’ll call them is your core foundational pieces, we’re set up very well.” – via Buffalo News"
Buffalo Sabres defensive rotation is good, and it can be great
Imagine, if you will, that Dahlin, Samuelsson, and Lyubushkin aren’t playing through injuries next season, and that the latter two aren’t missing extended time for their ailments. Knowing how well the Buffalo Sabres play with Samuelsson in the lineup, that alone will prompt them to win more, as will the physical presence that is Ilya Lyubushkin.
Owen Power will make the jump next year, and you can expect him to position himself better in the defensive zone while at the same time, developing an even better two-way approach. Sure, Buffalo still needs a top four defenseman, and they will acquire one either via free agency or trade once the new league year begins.
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Overall, this defensive rotation, despite its struggles, is better than advertised. Many of those struggles came from injuries that three of their top four blueliners suffered, plus the fact that Owen Power was going to make his rookie mistakes. Keep everyone predominantly healthy, add another guy to man the top four, and watch this rotation dominate in 2023-24.
Source: Can the Sabres add an impactful, top-four defenseman this summer? by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com