Buffalo Sabres division rivals’ 2023 offseasons Part II: Leafs falling?

Mar 13, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Casey Mittelstadt (37) loses the puck to Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano (55) and forward Calle Jarnkrok (19) and forward Michael Bunting (58) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Casey Mittelstadt (37) loses the puck to Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Mark Giordano (55) and forward Calle Jarnkrok (19) and forward Michael Bunting (58) during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Maple Leafs
Mar 13, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson (78) knocks the puck away from Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Kampf (64) as Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) looks on during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Verdict

Right now, I want to say, “Yikes!”  But until we see the Maple Leafs go to the wayside in the regular season, expect them to give the Buffalo Sabres all they can handle, as this could be the Leafs last stand unless they make some serious moves in 2024 to keep the band together.

Buffalo also plays them at four distinct times this season, with the first meeting occurring in early November, and the last, on March 30th, when both teams should be playing meaningful games. Toronto blew out the Sabres twice last season, and they will once again bring a formidable unit not only against the Blue and Gold, but when they faceoff against the league’s other 30 teams.

Sabres division rivals’ 2023 offseasons Part I: Florida vulnerable?. light. Related Story

However, given their overall spotty offseason, plus their potential cap issues, and the need to try and extend a pair of core pieces, 2024-25 could be a different story. It’s going to be interesting, to say the least, of how this plays out, but for the time being, let’s focus on the here and now.

Source: Atlantic Division summer outlook: Leafs will try it again, Tampa Bay looking for one more Lightning strike by Mike Harrington, Buffalo News

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)