Forwards
Jeff Skinner: Needs to hold off on hosting SNL for at least a few more years, thanks to his pesky style and playmaking prowess.
Tage Thompson: A rangy player with dynamic stickhandling and skating when he approaches the crease should once again near 50 goals.
Alex Tuch: The Buffalo Sabres best two-way player should find himself topping the 80-point mark in 2023-24 if he stays healthy all season.
JJ Peterka: Potential to make a huge jump this season and should benefit from Casey Mittelstadt likely taking Jack Quinn’s spot early.
Dylan Cozens: High-energy player has power forward and incredible playmaking potential if he hasn’t already gotten there.
Jack Quinn: Follow-up to serviceable rookie season will be delayed for at least a few months thanks to an Achilles injury.
Casey Mittelstadt: Found niche as an incredible passer, but his 50 takeaways from 2022-23 imply he can be solid on defense.
Projected bottom-six
Jordan Greenway: Physically-imposing winger should be a big hitter and forechecker while entering his first full season with the Buffalo Sabres.
Peyton Krebs: Underrated player is an incredible defensive forward who impresses the fanbase, even if statisticians want to think differently.
Victor Olofsson: Offers little more to his game than shooting from the circle, but he’s a niche player who at times excels at his job.
Zemgus Girgensons: Longest-tenured member of the Sabres is a big hitter and one of the team’s most high-energy players.
Tyson Jost: With Peyton Krebs likely bumping up to play center on the third line, Jost could find himself playing a gritty role centering the fourth.
Kyle Okposo: Diminished veteran could find himself on a “pitch count” this season, but he is nonetheless the team’s undisputed leader for at least one more season.