3 potential defensive lineups for the Buffalo Sabres in 2023

The Buffalo Sabres have an influx of defensemen on the pre-training camp roster, so there are quite a few pairings they can roll with in 2023.

The Buffalo Sabres could go with quite a few defensive lineups this season, thanks to the respective signings of Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton, and the overall talent they should have in the rotation. While my intuition says the Blue and Gold will go in one direction, there are two more major contenders that may warrant consideration.

So what could the Sabres defensive lineups look like when they open the 2023-24 season vs. the New York Rangers? Keep reading for the rundown.

Potential defensive lineups for the Buffalo Sabres

1 – Likeliest Pairings

• Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson
• Owen Power – Connor Clifton
• Erik Johnson – Ilya Lyubushkin
• Henri Jokiharju

As you can see, we are rolling with the Dahlin/Samuelsson Show with the top pairing. It gave Buffalo a formidable force last season, and if both stay healthy, they could give fans even better returns in 2023.

Owen Power and Clifton have two different styles, much like Dahlin and Samuelsson in front of them. Now that Power has experience in the NHL, it will be easier for him to acclimate to and build chemistry with a new face.

Johnson and Ilya Lyubushkin are two physical players, but they could perform their best if they limit their respective ice time. Against less physical teams, Henri Jokiharju could be the one to rotate into the lineup to give either Johnson or Lyubushkin a breather.

2 – Balanced Approach

• Rasmus Dahlin – Erik Johnson
• Owen Power – Connor Clifton
• Mattias Samuelsson – Henri Jokiharju
• Ilya Lyubushkin

If Johnson shows us he can still play Top 4 minutes, then he makes for an experienced RHD complement to Rasmus Dahlin. Once again, we see Power teaming with Clifton, as one is predominantly an LHD while the latter is your RHD.

Samuelsson drops to the third line to play alongside Henri Jokiharju, giving the Buffalo Sabres not only an LHD/RHD balance once more, but it also gives them yet another pair of players with contrasting styles. However, Lyubushkin would factor into the lineup against more physical opponents, or if Buffalo wishes to preserve Samuelsson on occasion.

3 – First Overall Picks Dominate

• Rasmus Dahlin – Owen Power
• Mattias Samuelsson – Erik Johnson
• Connor Clifton – Henri Jokiharju
• Ilya Lyubushkin

I will be the first to admit that this lineup is highly unlikely, but rolling with an ‘expect the unexpected’ mentality, I wanted to insert one surprise. This one has our two most recent first overall picks in Dahlin teaming with Power, which when paired with the top six, gives the Blue and Gold a lot of offensive power to work with.

A second round pick in Samuelsson and yet another former first overall pick in Johnson comprise the second pairing, and a physical one at that. Finally, Clifton and Jokiharju take the third pairing, with Lyubushkin factoring in when needed.

Source: Sabres Mailbag: Is Connor Clifton the right fit for Owen Power? by Lance Lysowski, Buffalo News