Buffalo Sabres winger Josh Doan didn't generate much league-wide buzz when he arrived to Western New York alongside defenseman Michael Kesselring in the blockbuster trade that sent forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth in June. That's starting to change.
Doan has a strong argument as the Sabres' best player through 32 games. He's recorded 23 points (10 goals and 13 assists) while bringing an aggressiveness and compete level the Blue and Gold have frequently lacked in recent years.
Adam Vingan of Sportsnet pinpointed the 23-year-old Arizona native as one of the reasons Buffalo still has hope of breaking its 14-year playoff drought this season.
"Forward Josh Doan has been a menace on the forecheck as well with 44 puck-battle wins in the offensive zone at five-on-five — tied for second in the league — and 25 inner-slot shots on net (T-11th)," Vingan wrote.
Doan's strong performance has started to tip the scales of the trade in the Sabres' favor, and that's with Kesselring making just nine appearances so far because of two injuries. The blueliner will return to the team's lineup Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Josh Doan has earned a long-term spot in the Buffalo Sabres' top-six forward group
Change is likely coming to the Sabres roster after Kevyn Adams was fired on Monday and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen, who developed a reputation of making bold moves during his time leading the Columbus Blue Jackets front office.
Alex Tuch, an impending unrestricted free agent, will become the prime trade candidate if the sides can't reach an agreement on a contract extension, while players like Jack Quinn, Peyton Krebs and Jordan Greenway may not fit the franchise's future vision.
In fact, aside from Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, there probably aren't many untouchable players on Buffalo's squad.
Doan belongs in that untouchable category, too.
His baseline production has remained impressive despite bouncing around the lineup as head coach Lindy Ruff desperately sought out a spark for the club's offense. The winger's underlying metrics are even more impressive, though.
Doan ranks second on the Sabres in even-strength expected goals for percentage (xGF%) at 54.5% behind only fellow tenacious forward Zach Benson (54.8%), according to Natural Stat Trick. He leads the team in high-danger chance percentage at 58.7%.
Players like Doan and Benson, unrelenting workhorses who are improved finishing away from becoming NHL stars, should be building blocks for Buffalo's next retooling effort.
Kekalainen noted compete level is the most important thing he'll be watching as he decides how to reshape the roster, and rightfully so. The Sabres have been outworked far too often en route to a 14-14-4 record, which ranks them last in the Eastern Conference.
Doan has been an exception to that weakness. He's been a bright spot, even on nights where the Blue and Gold put forth a lackluster effort as a whole.
After Kekalainen handles to urgent matters, led by the Tuch saga, his focus should shift toward signing the 2021 second-round pick to a long-term extension before he becomes a restricted free agent.