Grading the Buffalo Sabres forwards for 2023-24

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Feb 18, 2023; San Jose, California, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jeff Skinner (53) controls the puck during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

Grade – A

Overall, there is hardly a weak spot on the Buffalo Sabres at forward, even if Jack Quinn misses half a season. In fact, once Quinn returns and if everyone is still healthy and playing at a high level, then you can turn that ‘A’ into an ‘A+.’

Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch are going to have another phenomenal year, but with Dylan Cozens and Casey Mittelstadt enjoying a breakout campaign, along with J.J. Peterka’s stunning performance at the IIHF Worlds, the projected second line will also look strong.

The third line, in which I have Jordan Greenway and Peyton Krebs playing wing and center, respectively, should be physical. Victor Olofsson will join them unless he’s traded at the last second, and he still provides a strong scoring option, despite his overall lack of physicality.

light. Related Story. Predicting the Buffalo Sabres goaltender workload for 2023-24

Finally, Kyle Okposo, Tyson Jost, and Zemgus Girgensons should comprise the fourth line. Okposo and Girgensons are still good defensively, and they will provide sound leadership while Jost is serviceable, to say the least. The extra skaters will be recalled from Rochester, and that’s something we will dive into with another article.

(Statistics provided by Money Puck and Hockey-Reference)

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