Training camp is right around the corner for the Buffalo Sabres and the rest of the NHL. This is a pivotal time of the season as it can define how the season will go for some players. It is a period where the coaching staff is trying to determine lines and what the best combination among the forwards and defense gives them the greatest chance to win.
Based on how the roster is currently put together, there are a number of players who look to be in line for bigger roles entering this season. However, it is far from a guarantee that they are going to seize that opportunity, and these are four players with the most to lose heading into the next few weeks.
Zach Benson
Benson has been with the Sabres for the past two seasons and has appeared in 146 games to this point in his NHL career. However, he hasn't shown much in terms of goal scoring with only 21 goals during that stretch.
Entering this season, there is a big hole on the top line at left wing with JJ Peterka being traded during the summer. Benson should be considered the favorite at this point, but he is going to have to earn the spot and beat out players like Jason Zucker.
While he is still early in his career, opportunities to secure a spot on the top line don't come around often and for Benson, he needs to leave no question in the coaching staff's mind that he is ready for the spot.
Jiri Kulich
Another young player who is in the same position as Benson is Jiri Kulich, who could be the team's center for the top line next to Tage Thompson. He played in 62 games last season, which was his most time at the NHL level in his career.
He was a little more productive than Benson with 15 goals in those 62 games but he feels to just be scratching the surface. The former first round pick though is facing tougher competition for that spot and will have to hold off Josh Norris.
There is no denying that Norris is talented enough for that spot and injuries has been the biggest issue for him. If he is healthy, that spot might be his and could leave the coaching staff with a decision of moving him down to another line or even have him return to the AHL for more development.
Of the players on this list, Kulich might be facing the widest range of outcomes coming out of training camp.
Jack Quinn
While Benson and Kulich are under pressure, the Sabres will probably be somewhat patient and not be overly concerned if it doesn't come together this training camp. However, time might be running out for someone like Jack Quinn.
The former first round pick has already appeared in 178 NHL games but has never had more than 15 goals in a season or 24 assists. If there is a positive to point to is the fact that those totals both came last season and could be a sign that he is ready to turn a corner in his career.
It will be interesting to see how he does during training camp and the preseason as he could be an option on the top line if Benson struggles. He could also end up part of their third line with Ryan McLeod and Josh Doan.
Another option is that the Sabres might have seen enough and are ready to move on from Jack Quinn. He has a reasonable contract with two years remaining and an AAV of $3.375 million that should help generate interest around the league.
A trade could create some ice time for someone like Isak Rosen, who hasn't been able to make the jump to the NHL with the players the Sabres have had.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
The final player might be surprising but Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is entering this season on really shaky ground as the starting goalie. He had signed a five-year extension in the offseason prior to last season and put together his worst season in the league with a save percentage of .887 and a goals against average of 3.20.
The Sabres really didn't do much this summer in terms of bringing in competition for UPL, as Alex Lyon was signed as a free agent but is better suited as the backup.
The team is going to give Luukkonen every chance to establish himself as the starter. However, if he struggles, it wouldn't be surprising to see them explore the trade market early in the season or even bring up Devon Levi to see if he can bring stability to the position.
A strong start in training camp can quiet a lot of noise for Luukkonen or he could be looking over his shoulder to begin the season.