Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 Preview Part I: Lineup Projection 6.0
We are just a few weeks away from the Buffalo Sabres opening up training camp, so it’s time to start the 2023-24 season preview!
It is the final countdown before Buffalo Sabres training camp commences and the 2023-24 season is underway. Now that the team is set, barring a surprise signing, it’s time to make one final lineup projection before camp and the subsequent preseason begin.
Below, you will find the projected 23-man roster coming from a rather logical angle. Therefore, don’t expect any major surprises, like Prospect A or Prospect B overtaking a seasoned veteran. Those are fun to project during the late-spring and over the summer, but now, it’s time to get serious.
Buffalo Sabres initial 2023-24 lineup will comprise….
Forwards
- Skinner – Tage – Tuch
- Peterka – Cozens – Mittelstadt
- Greenway – Krebs – Olofsson
- Girgensons – Jost – Okposo
- Biro – Murray
You can’t go wrong with this top-six, given the way Jeff Skinner, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch have and could continue to take over games. They comprise the first line and that will remain a steady fixture all season, barring injury.
The second line also looks the same as we have seen in previous installments, with Casey Mittelstadt filling in for the injured Jack Quinn. Thanks to his incredible passing, Mittelstadt could be a huge factor in JJ Peterka finding the net more in 2023-24, along with Dylan Cozens.
Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs, and Victor Olofsson comprise the most potential-laden line on the team. We know what the first line is capable of, and we also know Mittelstadt will prevent the second line from missing a beat. But if Olofsson and Greenway become more consistent in their respective games, and Krebs picks up where he left off last season, this could be one excellent third line.
Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo bring experience, and they will return to their respective roles this season. In former projections, I placed a few dark horses like Tyson Kozak into the lineup, but logistically speaking, the role belongs to another Tyson – Tyson Jost.
With Brandon Biro and Brett Murray lacking a waiver exempt clause, they will open the season as extras. This means the likes of Lukas Rousek, Jiri Kulich, and Matt Savoie will return to the AHL and WHL, respectively.
Defensemen
- Dahlin – Samuelsson
- Power – Clifton
- Johnson – Jokiharju
- Stillman
This projection remains unchanged from Lineup Prediction 5.0, with one huge exception. Before, I had Ilya Lyubushkin pegged in as the extra, but that spot will now go to Riley Stillman given the former’s trade to the Anaheim Ducks.
Against more physical hockey teams, Stillman could make a great one-two punch with Erik Johnson. And if Johnson needs a breather, Stillman complements Henri Jokiharju well.
While I’ve made a case for Mattias Samuelsson pairing with Owen Power, this projection is all about logic. This puts Samuelsson on the same pairing as Rasmus Dahlin, while Power forges a reciprocal tandem with newcomer Connor Clifton.
So where does Jacob Bryson fit into all of this? Not with the Buffalo Sabres, or at least not immediately. Therefore, Bryson’s either getting traded or placed on waivers. If no one claims him, he will end up in Rochester, and you will only see him if they need a call-up. That’s if Kale Clague doesn’t outplay him first.
Goaltenders
- Levi
- Luukkonen
We have a young but hopefully brewing duo in Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Buffalo Sabres neglected to bring in an experienced goaltender, but luckily, Levi has already showcased his skills at the NHL level. He just needs to put together a steady 2023-24 campaign, and with more experience in front of him in the defensive rotation and at forward, it’s a real possibility.
The same goes for Luukkonen, who has more experience than Levi. However, Luukkonen also showed that he would have a hard time putting the entire team on his shoulders. If the Blue and Gold stay healthy, especially on defense, Luukkonen could shine when he’s called on.
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Eric Comrie is the third man, but there won’t be enough room on the 23-man roster to keep him aboard. Therefore, he’s either heading to Rochester, or a goaltender-needy team may end up claiming him on waivers.