Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 Player Outlook: Zemgus Girgensons

The Buffalo Sabres may be a young hockey team, but they also have some experienced players like Zemgus Girgensons returning for 2023-24.

Zemgus Girgensons has never been an adequate points producer, but in 2023-24, he doesn’t need to be. Just like in 2022-23, he can focus primarily on serving the Buffalo Sabres as a defensive forward, something he, Kyle Okposo, and Peyton Krebs excelled at last season.

In 2022-23, Girgensons blocked 49 shots, his best statistic since 2014-15 in the category. He also gave the Blue and Gold 96 hits, and his 22 takeaways were the third-highest in his career. While Girgensons isn’t a prolific scorer, he still hit the double-digit goal mark for the fourth time in his career with 10, and he also logged eight assists.

Zemgus Girgensons will play a similar role for the Buffalo Sabres in 2023-24

This season, the Buffalo Sabres will seek to make the playoffs for the first time in nearly 13 seasons, and it will be Girgensons’ first career postseason appearance if that is indeed the case. While he may log just 12 to 13 minutes of average total ice time, Girgensons’ role should create headaches for opponents when they are on the attack.

Not only has Girgensons shown us that he can break up plays and engage in intense puck battles along the boards, he rarely sees opponents score when on the ice. Last season, the Sabres saw an on-ice save percentage of 92% or more when Girgensons was out there at even strength or 5-on-5, and it’s yet another credit to his incredible defensive play.

Now that the Sabres have a better defensive rotation overall, don’t be surprised if Girgensons turns in his best season yet as a member of the Blue and Gold. He only needs to stay physical and keep creating tough situations for opponents when the Sabres are in the defensive zone. The Blue and Gold’s scorers will do the rest, and Girgensons may just see his first career playoff appearance as a result.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)