Defensemen
First Pairing
- Nikita Novikov – Vsevolod Komarov
This would be an interesting duo, with the offensive-minded Komarov pairing with the sledgehammer in Novikov. This pairing would give the Buffalo Sabres a balanced look on the first pairing.
Second Pairing
- Ryan Johnson – Gavin McCarthy
This pairing gives us someone with experience at the lower levels in Johnson teaming up with a newbie in Gavin McCarthy. Once again, there is balance here, but it’s also where the young rotation in this exercise would show some inexperience.
Third Pairing
- Mats Lindgren – Maxime Strbak
Lindgren has and could continue to work on his defensive game here while Strbak would continue getting experience in the North American style of play – he did have 45 games of experience in the USHL in 2022-23.
Extra
- Norwin Panocha
As with our two extras at forward, Panocha would sit and watch while getting more practice reps in with the team. And if he were to play, Panocha would rotate in with either Lindgren or Strbak.