The last time the NHL had an expansion team was in 2021 when the Seattle Kraken became a franchise. This summer there has been some discussion about another expansion team in the near future with a number of cities competing to win that bid, according to Daily Faceoff.
An expanding league is good for the NHL but it creates challenges for the individual teams as there is an expansion draft that is part of the process when the NHL adds a new team. The rules for the last expansion draft was that teams could protect seven forwards, three defenseman, and one goalie or eight skaters regardless of their position and one goalie.
For the Sabres, this could create challenges when looking at their roster and this probably is what their protection list would look like if the expansion draft was held next summer.
Locks for the Buffalo Sabres to protect
Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch, Devon Levi
The Sabres have three players that are almost certain to be protected by the Buffalo Sabres as Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson are the cornerstone players of the franchise. They not only are the team's best players but some of the best players in the NHL at their position.
Alex Tuch is also included in this group, assuming the Sabres can agree to an extension before free agency next season. After Thompson, Tuch is the best forward the Sabres have and an extension makes him a key part of the roster moving forward.
The Sabres are also required to protect one goalie and with the goalies on the roster that would likely be Devon Levi. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has to bounce back this season and if he does, then it probably is more of a discussion but Levi provides more upside.
Likely to be protected by the Buffalo Sabres
Bowen Byram, Owen Power, Zach Benson, Michael Kesselring
This next group are not necessarily locks but should be prioritized by the Buffalo Sabres, depending on how this season plays out. These four have great upside and are expected to be big parts of the roster.
The fact that the Sabres have more defensemen than forwards that they would want to protect are why they would go the route of protecting eight players instead of the 7/3 split some other teams might pick.
Tough decision for the Buffalo Sabres for final spot
Josh Norris, Jack Quinn, Josh Doan, Ryan McLeod
The final spot really comes down to three players at this point as the Sabres likely want to find the players they believe still has the most upside. Josh Norris probably falls into that category but he has had injury history and if it is another season of only 40-50 games, it might not make sense for the Sabres.
Jack Quinn is a former Top 10 pick that has had 35+ points in two of the past three seasons but looks to be just scratching the surface. Meanwhile, Ryan McLeod was one of the top Sabres last season with 53 points in his first season in Buffalo.
If the expansion draft was to be held next summer, the Buffalo Sabres are going to have a tough time protecting their key players and could lose some good players in the process.