The Buffalo Sabres have played only two games this season, but it already feels like the season is slipping away. There needs to be some urgency on the part of Buffalo heading into a tough week of games that could really define this season.
Without question, injuries have been a big challenge, and that is something they are still going to need to navigate. The coaching staff will have to get creative with how they structure the lineup, but to put together the best lineup, they will need to make some bold changes, starting with the game on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche.
Buffalo Sabres Forwards
Jason Zucker-Tage Thompson-Alex Tuch
The first big change is that the Sabres should move Tage Thompson from wing back to center, which is where he played in 2022-23 when he had a career year 94 points. That season, he had Alex Tuch on his line, along with Jeff Skinner, and they had an xGoals Per 60 minutes of 3.52 according to MoneyPuck.
By putting these two together, along with Jason Zucker, it might be enough to get them going and in turn, provide a spark for the offense as a whole.
Josh Doan-Jiri Kulich-Noah Ostlund
In addition to moving Tage Thompson to center, the other notable move for these lines is to call up Noah Ostlund to play on the wing with Josh Doan and Jiri Kulich. The Sabres need more playmakers and players who can create offensive opportunities. Ostlund can do that after having 36 points in 45 games for Rochester last season and already registering three assists in two games this season.
While Ostlund has primarily been a center, moving him out to the wing would give him more opportunities and help the transition up to the NHL. He would be paired with Josh Doan, who has been one of the Sabres' better players, and Jiri Kulich. This line would have a lot of upside that could be the difference maker for this group.
Justin Danforth-Ryan McLeod-Jack Quinn
The third line would consist of Justin Danforth, Ryan McLeod, and Jack Quinn, and is the case with most of the forwards to date this season, there is a lot to be desired with this group.
The player who could be the difference maker is Jack Quinn, but he hasn't been able to meet expectations for a few seasons now. This season, he has only two shots on goal through two games, and it is hard to imagine anything will change in the near future.
Beck Malenstyn-Peyton Krebs-Mason Geersten
The injuries to Zach Benson and Josh Norris the Sabres are trying to deal with have really impacted the depth of this group, and that is evident in this fourth line. It is one that is not really going to scare most teams, but they don't have much in terms of options outside of these three.
Buffalo Sabres Defensemen
Owen Power-Rasmus Dahlin
Mattias Samuelsson-Bo Byram
Ryan Johnson-Connor Timmins
The Buffalo Sabres desperately need Michael Kesselring back from injury and on the ice. He is someone who can drastically change the trajectory of this group. They were able to get Owen Power back after he missed one game, and that helped in the game against the Boston Bruins.
Similar to the forwards, there needs to be drastic changes, and the Sabres need to lean into their best players. That means putting Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin together as their top pair, which is something Ruff started to do in the game against the Bruins.
While there is a third pair listed, the Sabres really need to shorten the defense down to five players and go with a rotation primarily of Samuelsson, Byram, and Timmins. Neither Jacob Bryson nor Ryan Johnson has shown much to begin the season. By rotating these three on that other pair, it gives the Sabres their best chance to be productive with this group until Kesselring returns.