Brandon Biro is one of a few Buffalo Sabres prospects who are not waivers exempt. So let’s assume for a second that this implies he makes the team.
Brandon Biro is one name to watch in camp and the preseason that doesn’t garner much recognition. But before injuries derailed his 2022-23 campaign, he was one of the most productive players for the Rochester Americans. And although it didn’t happen last season, we also need to remember that Biro did see time with the Buffalo Sabres during a one-off late in the 2021-22 season.
So if Biro makes it onto the Sabres roster, and since this is a bold predictions piece, we’re assuming he can be one of the extra forwards, what will stand out during his 2023-24 season? Over in Rochester last year, Biro had 51 points in 49 contests, and while he won’t hit that number in Buffalo, it tells us that Biro could be capable of scoring when he gets his inevitable chance.
Brandon Biro becomes a better-than-advertised winger for Buffalo Sabres
Along with Brett Murray, Biro could end up elsewhere if he’s placed on waivers, so keeping the duo on the roster early if they don’t feel Jiri Kulich, Lukas Rousek, or Matt Savoie are quite NHL-ready would be a smart move. While Murray’s style is perfect for rotating in and out of the fourth line, Biro could end up doing one of two things:
- Helping fill in for Jack Quinn on the Top 6, depending on how the Sabres approach it, and
- Potentially rotating in and out with Victor Olofsson
The latter scenario is the likelier of the two, and Biro will be a productive scorer every time he rotates in with the all-out offensive specialist that is Olofsson. This isn’t going so bold as to claim Biro would be any better, but his productivity at the position will at least let him be a stopgap for the 2023-24 season.
If he makes the lineup, Biro will play a larger role during Quinn’s absence, before perhaps reverting back into a supplemental role when the winger returns. Since we’re going bold, let’s assume Biro outperforms Olofsson, and this could also mean the Sabres wind up making a midseason trade, keeping Biro on the roster while Olofsson goes elsewhere.
(Statistics provided by theAHL.com)