Ranking the top 5 moves of the Buffalo Sabres 2023 offseason (so far)

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The Buffalo Sabres have had an interesting offseason, and they appear to be poised to take the next step thanks to making a few key transactions.

The Buffalo Sabres didn’t make any blockbuster moves yet in the 2023 offseason, but they made necessary ones that turned a decent team in 2022-23 into a better one for 2023-24. While not everyone will like the minimalistic approach, or even some of the moves I ranked below, general manager Kevyn Adams has always understood one aspect of building a team: Reality is no NHL video game, and it shows in most of the following transactions.

So which moves were the best of the Sabres 2023 offseason so far? Keep reading for a quick rundown, where we are counting down to what is a surprising Number One.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 15: Ilya Lyubushkin #46 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal as Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Sabres: 5 best moves of 2023 offseason

5 – Maintaining stable leadership

Re-signing Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons were going to be polarizing moves, especially with the aging Okposo. But when you’re the projected third-youngest team in the NHL for the 2023-24 season, you need to hang onto your leaders and let them play either on the fourth line or even on a “pitch count.”

Besides, Okposo and Girgensons made up a remarkable fourth line this past season with center Peyton Krebs, who was in his first full year with Buffalo. They most likely won’t stick around much longer, but their presence this season was necessary, even if it’s not flashy.

4 – Drafting Zach Benson

I’ve said it so many times: I was beyond convinced that Zach Benson, at the latest, would be gone by the tenth pick. And when he was available at 13th overall, there was no way Kevyn Adams was taking anyone else.

What makes this pick so intriguing isn’t the fact that Benson will ultimately star for the Sabres, it’s that Buffalo can take their time with him. At this point, there is so much talent on the roster itself that there is no rush to thrust Benson into the lineup. If he needs, say, three years to develop before making his NHL debut, he’s in such a position with the Sabres.

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