The Sabres came into the season with the youngest roster in the NHL, and had a multitude of players aged 24 and below. With a good chance at the playoffs next season, they will need their young core to shine once again to be a playoff contender.
Overall, these six players played in at least half of the games this season and hopefully will all be key contributors for next season. But did all these players improve, or did they take a step in the wrong direction?
1. Bowen Byram
Byram should be at the top of the list for Kevyn Adams to re-sign this offseason. The 23-year-old put up the best season of his career with 38 total points and a solid plus-minus of +11.
Byram also played in all 82 games, which is exactly what the Sabres need from their talented players year in and year out. Injury problems hurt many teams every year, and keeping their young players healthy is a must.
Byram is a restricted free agent who could be looking at offer sheets of at least seven million. It could cost them a pretty penny, but I think it would be worth it for the Sabres to take a chance and re-sign him.
2. Owen Power
Owen Power had an interesting season this year as he set a career high in points with 40 and played in 79 games for the Sabres. Power signed a seven-year, $58.45 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres in October of 2023.
Power is with the Sabres long term now, but his one weakness is his defense. This year, he took a major step back as he finished with a plus-minus of -13. He looked lost defensively which had the Sabres front office and coaching staff concerned throughout the year. Power will be out all offseason with a lower leg injury, but Sabres fans are hoping for a speedy recovery.
Power’s 24-25 campaign saw some ups and downs as he improved on offense but regressed on the defensive end. Look for Power to have a career year with the Sabres next year, as they look to fight their way into the playoffs.
3. Jacob Bernard-Docker
Bernard-Docker came over from the Senators in the Dylan Cozens trade earlier this season and made an instant impact. Bernard-Docker in his 15 games for the Sabres totaled four points, and a positive plus-minus of +3.
In his 40 total games, he finished with eight points and a plus-minus of +6. During his time in Buffalo, he impressed as he was one of the best defensive players on the ice, including holding the best expected goals against average by a Sabres defender with a 2.20 in his 15 games.
Bernard-Docker certainly earned himself a spot on the main roster next year, and could be the x-factor defensively that the Sabres need.
4. JJ Peterka
Peterka became an offensive beast for the Sabres this season as he totaled up 27 goals and 41 assists in what was his breakout season. The 23-year-old is also a restricted free agent, looking at a big pay day as well in free agency.
Adams will have to figure out a way to create cap space, as losing Peterka will hurt the Sabres offensively next year. With a potential top line of Thompson-Norris-Peterka, Peterka could easily be a top player in the league, maybe even an all-star next year.
5. Zach Benson
Benson was the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft for the Sabres and has had the opportunity to play two full seasons already with the Sabres. After 30 points for the Sabres last year, fans hoped he would make the jump into a solid forward for the Sabres.
However, Benson basically put up the same season he had last year. His points, plus-minus, and games played were all similar, including ice-time and goals forward. He scored three power-play goals, which was the bright spot for his season.
As he goes into year three, Sabres fans hope that Benson will find his footing and slowly become a top-6 forward.
6. Jiri Kulich
Kulich was a first-round pick of the Sabres in the 2022 draft and got the opportunity to play his first full season with the team last year. Kulich accumulated 24 points in 62 games on the top line with Thompson and Peterka.
I think Kulich could play a big part in the offense next year, as I could see him on the second line with Ryan McLeod. Kulich had a solid first season in the league, and Sabres fans would love to see him make that leap going into next season