2023-24 Preview Part II: Who will lead the Buffalo Sabres in each stat?
The Buffalo Sabres are projected to enjoy another jump in 2023-24, building on their success in 2022-23. Who will lead the charge this season?
The Buffalo Sabres demanded and received a lot of attention last year, and in this campaign, everyone is talking playoffs. But today at Sabre Noise, were are talking all about stats, and who will lead the team in each major statistic come April 2024.
Below, I listed eight major statistical categories, including points, goals, assists, shooting percentage, hits, takeaways, goals allowed average, and save percentage. Who is projected to take the top prize in each? Keep reading to find out, and see if your favorite player made the list.
Who will lead the Buffalo Sabres in….
Points
Last season, Tage Thompson took the title for the second year in a row with 94 points, building off of a 68-point outing in 2021-22. This season, Tage will once again take the title, scoring over 100 points for the first time in his career.
Goals scored
Just like in points, Tage took the title for two seasons running, scoring 47 last season. It was a nine-goal increase over the 38 times he found twine in 2021-22. For the third year in a row, Tage should pace the team in goals scored, sinking at least 50.
Shooting percentage
For all members of the Buffalo Sabres who played in at least 50 games, Victor Olofsson stole the honor, scoring on 17.4% of his shots on goal. It looks as though Olofsson will stay in the lineup this season, perhaps even taking Jack Quinn’s spot, and that could give him plenty more scoring chances. Look for Olofsson to threaten the 17% mark again this season, and perhaps even set a new personal best.
Assists
Rasmus Dahlin won the title last season with 58 assists, outpacing Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner by 11. This year, I had Dahlin’s ceiling set at 59 assists, but let’s get bolder than bold for the purposes of this piece and set it at an even 60, where he will once again lead the Buffalo Sabres.
Hits
Although he only played in 55 games last season, Mattias Samuelsson edged out Dahlin with 107 hits to 105 hits. If you take 107 and divide it by 55, then multiply that number by 82, you would have gotten 159.52. But, Samuelsson won’t lead the team in the category this year even if he’s healthy from October until April. Instead, the honor will go to newcomer Connor Clifton, who should sail north of 200.
Takeaways
Alex Tuch logged 64 takeaways last season, and I can see that number reaching 70 in 2023-24 as he’s still growing more productive each year. Tuch has solidified himself as the Buffalo Sabres top two-way forward, so expect his defense to match an already dynamic offensive approach.
Tuch could see a challenge, however, from Casey Mittelstadt if the latter continues his surge that started last December. Dylan Cozens could also be a challenger to take the crown in this category as his stock also continues to trek north.
Goals allowed average (GAA)
Last season, Devon Levi manned the crease late in the year and allowed a 2.94 GAA in just seven games. For those who logged 19 starts, the honor went to Craig Anderson, whose GAA sat at 3.06. This year, it should be no contest, with Levi taking the top prize at a GAA of roughly 2.75, the middle of his projected floor and ceiling.
Save percentage
And finally, Devon Levi will also take the prize in save percentage, sitting somewhere around 0.910 if I were to once again predict it to land in the middle of the floor and ceiling projections. Look for Levi to end the 2023-24 season as the unquestioned 1A, and hopefully, he will have a strong ally in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the 1B.
light. Related Story. Sabres 2023-24 Preview Part I: Lineup Projection 6.0
As you can see, most of these projections are higher than those on this young Buffalo Sabres team accomplished last season. Some of them could threaten, hit, or even break through what I believed their ceiling could be for the 2023-24 campaign.
(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)