It's hard to find many positives about the Buffalo Sabres offense through three games. They've scored just two goals, their power play is in an 0-for-11 drought and they aren't generating many shot attempts from the inner slot, which is the most dangerous area of the ice.
The Sabres are tied with the Vancouver Canucks for the fewest high-danger chances in the NHL (25) and their 2.31 expected goals for (xGF) per 60 minutes ranks 31st ahead of only the Chicago Blackhawks, per Natural Stat Trick. So, it's no surprise the team is 0-3-0 so far.
Yes, franchise cornerstones Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin must find top form quickly to lead a resurgence, but who are some other Buffalo players who can support that dynamic duo in the attacking zone? It's a key question that will require an answer in short order for the Blue and Gold.
Which Buffalo Sabres non-superstars must help pull the team out of its offensive malaise?
Jack Quinn
Quinn scored an impressive 39 points (15 goals and 24 assists) in his first 77 NHL appearances. Then he suffered an Achilles injury during a 2023 offseason workout, and he's never looked like the same rising star since his return, a troublesome trend that's continued early in 2025-26.
The 24-year-old Canadian, who was never the fastest skater on the ice, has looked a stride or two behind the play consistently over the past two-plus seasons. It's prevented him from getting in the necessary positions to maximize his otherwise strong offensive skill set.
Quinn has played over 47 minutes for the Sabres through three games. He's tallied no points, just two shots on goal and a minus-2 rating. He's been a complete non-factor most shifts, which has caused any thought of a resurgence to quickly fade.
Buffalo needs him to find his skating legs again so the other areas of his game can shine through.
Ryan McLeod
McLeod, who was acquired from the Edmonton Oilers during the 2024 offseason, put together a terrific first season in Buffalo. He posted 53 points, matching his total from the previous two years with the Oilers combined, and he handled tough defensive assignments well.
That success, which led the Sabres to give him a four-year, $20 million contract extension, has yet to carry over to the new season. He's been virtually invisible through three games with no points, no shots on goal and a minus-5 rating.
While the sample size remains small, it was rare for McLeod to go through that type of stretch last season, even for a short period. His two-way game usually allows him to mitigate any scoring lull with dependable play defensively, but hasn't been the case early on.
So, while Buffalo also needs him to step up in the defensive zone, getting him on the scoresheet is an even more pressing matter at the moment.
Zach Benson
Benson is set to return from a face injury that caused a short hospitalization and forced him to miss the season's opening trio of contests. His absence left a major void on the Sabres' top line, a problem that deepened when center Josh Norris suffered an injury that'll sideline him at least eight weeks.
The 2023 first-round pick was ticketed for a breakout season before the setback. Although he only recorded 28 points in 2024-25, his underlying numbers were fantastic and the chance to play alongside Thompson on the first line significantly raised his offensive upside.
It would have been nice for him to find a soft landing spot (à la a team that wasn't winless through three games with an offense that's struggling mightily to generate scoring chances), but Buffalo now needs him to provide an instant boost as he returns to the lineup.
Benson is still capable of a breakthrough campaign, but joining a squad that's faltering in pretty much every area certainly increases the difficultly level for the 20-year-old sensation.