Zemgus Girgensons has been with the Buffalo Sabres longer than anyone else on the current roster, and yes, he will achieve some accolades in 2023-24.
Few realize just how good Zemgus Girgensons had it in 2022-23, his 10th with the Sabres and ninth in years when he didn’t miss an entire season. Girgensons played in 80 games, a career high, and his 114 shots on goal were his highest since 2014-15, when he logged 115.
Girgensons also blocked 49 shots, also his best since the 62 he had in 2014-15. He also attempted more shots (202) than he had at any other time in his career, and in those 80 contests, he committed just eight giveaways, a career low.
The Sabres also had an amazing 92% and 92.1% save percentage during Girgensons’ shifts at even strength and five-on-five, respectively. That number also sat at 85.8% across his 116.7 shorthanded minutes, the best mark since 2018-19.
No, Girgensons will never score many points, and his role may diminish this season once Jack Quinn returns and if the Sabres rotate their fourth line wingers, even if they only roll with 13 forwards. But it doesn’t mean we can’t make a bold prediction regarding Girgensons’ 2023-24 campaign.
Zemgus Girgensons will lead the Buffalo Sabres in a pair of categories…
We know how effective the trio of Zemgus Girgensons, Peyton Krebs, and Kyle Okposo are on the fourth line, but they could break up early this year if Krebs moves to the third line and Mittelstadt goes to the second to fill in for the injured Jack Quinn. But it won’t matter, as someone, likely Tyson Jost, will step in and play an effective game at center, or perhaps even Girgensons himself – though I believe the former is more likely given Girgensons’ efficacy on the wing.
Regardless, with not only a better team, but also a better defense, and perhaps a fixture at 1A at goaltender with Devon Levi or even more experience at 1B (presumably Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen), the Blue and Gold’s on-ice save percentage could further trend north with Girgensons on the ice. That said, Girgensons will attain a career high in the category at even strength and five-on-five, and lead the team in it.
Lofty? Absolutely, since the Sabres reached 94.0 at even strength with Girgensons in 2015-16. They also reached 95.0% that same season at five-on-five, but given the hype surrounding the Blue and Gold, let’s predict they supersede that number.
This may be Girgensons’ final season with the Buffalo Sabres, but he will, even if he logs no career highs this season, make the most of it. However, the Sabres are a better hockey team, and Girgensons will still show off some incredible feats as a defensive forward regardless if he hits those numbers.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)