While the Buffalo Sabres have struggled so much this season that the blame must fall on someone’s shoulders, they have a fair share of players whose efforts have gone under the radar. Yep, even for what may be the worst team in hockey, come the 2025 calendar year, has a chance to celebrate some of their more underrated, albeit productive talent.
And no, by productive, I’m not just talking about players who put up more points than you think. Instead, I’m going inside the numbers and even checking out some of the smaller, more obscure stats, starting with a blueliner who’s only been with the team since March 2024.
Bowen Byram
For the Blue and Gold, if your name isn’t Rasmus Dahlin or Owen Power, there’s a chance you may be an afterthought on the blue line. But let’s not forget about Bowen Byram, whose four goals and 18 points in 31 games this season have been as advertised.
Health was the biggest concern I had for Byram before the season started. And while the Sabres suffered their fair share of ailments, Byram has been unscathed through the season’s first two and a half months.
So far, he’s averaged more ice time than any other Sabres skater, and with 41 blocks and 27 hits, Byram has also shown off his physical demeanor. Oh, and here’s one more fun fact: Byram currently leads the team in game-winning goals.
Peyton Krebs
At this point, it’s a foregone conclusion that Peyton Krebs will always be an underachiever offensively. Plus, there’s a chance Sabres fans will watch Krebs play out the rest of 2024-25 in a different uniform should they inevitably become sellers near the trade deadline.
Still, Krebs has put forth a decent season, with 10 points, three goals, and a solid 13.0 shooting percentage. At this rate, we’re looking more at the player who was a decent producer on the fourth line in 2022-23, but Krebs’ faceoff win percentage of 55.7, something he wasn’t boasting then, is the real story here.
He’s helped turn the Sabres around somewhat in handling the puck thanks to his ability to win at the dot. Finally, his on-ice shooting percentage at even strength remains a solid 12.7. That final number tells me Krebs is helping his linemates find the net, making him a sound depth player so far.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel
We’re all left to wonder just how much value Nicolas Aube-Kubel would have given the Sabres had he stayed healthy from the get-go. Unfortunately, we won’t know, but the physical presence he promised to bring has arrived with 24 body checks in 14 games.
His 15 penalty minutes and average total ice time of 9:38 also tell us he’s one who will stand up for teammates. And while his on-ice shooting percentage is a modest 8.0 percent, Aube-Kubel’s Corsi For of 53.7 at even strength is an encouraging number.
No, he’s not the most productive and one of the most obscure players on the team. But that also makes him more than a valuable asset, considering his willingness to do the dirty work.