Buffalo Sabres Ultimate Player Rankings: Players 25-21
The Buffalo Sabres finished the year with 27 players on the active roster, but one is primarily an AHL prospect and another is heading for retirement.
Lukas Rousek saw two games for the Buffalo Sabres and played well enough to warrant a look next season. Despite his efforts, he is one of two players to finish the year on the active roster (per Hockey-Reference), along with goaltender Craig Anderson, that I did not rank.
Rousek is busy further showing us why he deserves to be in the Queen City given his efforts with the Rochester Americans in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, Anderson is heading toward retirement.
So who made the cut in the Ultimate Player Rankings, and what is their outlook for next season? Keep reading for more.
Buffalo Sabres Ultimate Player Rankings – No.s 25-21
25 – Jacob Bryson
At the end of next year, Jacob Bryson will be a restricted free agent. And if he has another season like he did in 2022-23, there is no way he returns to Buffalo. At this point, it’s hard to envision him in a blue and gold uniform for 2023-24, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s an add-on for a trade package, perhaps one involving Victor Olofsson.
24 – Kale Clague
Kale Clague may actually get another look with the Buffalo Sabres this season, but he’s best-suited to play in Rochester. While he outplayed Bryson, Clague didn’t show us enough that he was a long-term fixture as a defenseman. At best, he’s a solid insurance policy.
23 – Riley Stillman
Riley Stillman has the best chance of the blueliners ranked so far of sticking around. While he also struggled, Stillman showed a physical edge. Perhaps a solid offseason will at least catapult him into a role as a surefire extra skater/seventh defenseman for 2023-24.
22 – Eric Comrie
The Buffalo Sabres had high hopes for Eric Comrie, but he did nothing but disappoint. While it’s true he had a few good outings, his 0.886 save percentage impressed nobody. He has one year left on his contract, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Sabres moved him, or at least tried to.
21 – Jordan Greenway
Jordan Greenway could be the biggest mystery on this team. He never seemed to find a permanent spot in the lineup, and he also never looked completely comfortable on the ice. The upside? Like Stillman, Greenway will have a full offseason of work to enter 2023-24 as an improved player.
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Overall, you could see three of the five players listed here suiting up for someone else next season. Bryson and Comrie could be moved, and the Buffalo Sabres could opt to not re-sign Clague. Stillman and Greenway will get another chance.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)