For the Buffalo Sabres, as a franchise, the goal is to end a 14-year playoff drought, and as a collective, that is the focus. However, for some individual players, they are facing a pivotal season for their career. These are players who have been with the team for a few seasons now but haven't been able to take that next step in their career.
When looking at the roster, these are four players in particular on the Sabres that must have that breakout season this year or the Sabres (and the rest of the league) might be viewing them differently moving forward.
4 breakout-or-bust candidates Buffalo Sabres fans should keep a close eye on
Bowen Byram
Unlike the other players on this list, Bowen Byram probably has more to prove after the past few months of the offseason. Byram was a restricted free agent this summer and, at one time, requested a trade.
While a trade may still happen, Byram was able to agree to a new contract with Buffalo that was for two years and a significant bump in AAV to $6.25. He will now have to prove that he is worth that contract, and if he does that, he could set himself up well in free agency.
Byram is going to be paired with Rasmus Dahlin this season, and if he can build on his season last year, when he had 38 points, it would be a big boost for this Sabres team.