The Ugly – Jacob Bryson? Really?
If there was one regular member of the Buffalo Sabres from last season who I didn’t think would end up making the team, it was Jacob Bryson. As last season stretched on, Kale Clague was getting the nod in Bryson’s favor, so this one stumps me, to say the least.
The Blue and Gold also need to be more physical, and Bryson doesn’t bring that trait while it is an attribute to Stillman’s game. However, Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News may have provided some important insight:
"“Bryson is coming off his worst NHL season but possesses two important traits that separated him from the competition. He’s an exceptional skater, understands how to use his strengths to thwart rush chances and he breaks the puck out better than Stillman or Clague.”"
Source: Sabres’ latest cuts signal that Zach Benson, Jacob Bryson will be on roster
Okay, point made. But regardless of how well Bryson skated last season and how well he plays with the puck, had those abilities helped him out, he’d have been far more productive.
But who knows? Maybe Bryson will prove himself and show me and most of the Buffalo Sabres fanbase that it was the right decision – and I hope he does. Don Granato and Kevyn Adams are giving the 25-year-old his chance, so maybe he’ll take advantage of it this year.