One of the main reasons the Buffalo Sabres haven't qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2011 is a lack of high-impact players in their supporting cast. Even when the franchise had cornerstones like Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, there wasn't enough secondary production to seriously compete.
It's fair to wonder whether the story will remain the same during the 2025-26 NHL season after The Athletic released its tier list of the league's top 150 players on Thursday. Only defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and forward Tage Thompson cracked the ranking for Buffalo.
The Sabres will once again be betting on massive internal improvement to bridge that gap, a hallmark of Kevyn Adams' five-year tenure as the team's general manager. While it's certainly possible the organization's young players step up, it's far from a guarantee.
So, there are far more questions than answers as Buffalo prepares to open training camp ahead of its Oct. 9 season-opening battle with the New York Rangers.
Rasmus Dahlin (Tier 2 – Franchise Player)
It's no surprise Dahlin is the highest-ranked Sabre on The Athletic's list. He's emerged as one of the league's most complete defensemen with the ability to play in any situation, and it often looks like he gets better the more minutes he plays, which is a tremendous trait.
"Dahlin is unbelievably good," an NHL executive told The Athletic. "If he wasn't playing for the Buffalo Sabres, he would be so much more appreciated around the league."
That's an accurate statement we've made numerous times at Sabre Noise throughout the 2025 offseason. The 25-year-old Swede would probably have a case as the best player at the position if he played on a legitimate Cup contender rather than a perennial also-ran.
Nevertheless, Dahlin has remained firmly committed to helping Buffalo turn things around. In March, he responded with frustration when asked about speculation he was seeking an exit strategy.
"I have never said I want out of here," Dahlin told reporters. "I'm not happy where we're at. I don't want to lose. We have to get better. I've never said I want out of here. I thought that was pretty clear. That bugs me, actually. I get [ticked] off by that. I haven't even mentioned the word 'leave.' That's just how it is."
Those were welcome words by the Sabres captain to ease concerns within the fanbase. Now he'll try to lead Buffalo back to the postseason and perhaps show he belongs in Tier 1 of the outlet's rankings in 2026.
Tage Thompson (Tier 3 – All-Star Player)
Thompson still has some defensive shortcomings, which played a role in his move to the wing during the second half of last season, and he's often been hampered by injuries in recent years. Yet, at his best, the 27-year-old American is one of the NHL's most dynamic offensive weapons.
"I like Tage," an NHL scout told The Athletic. "Where do you find a 6-6 guy who can shoot, skate, play center, play wing? On a really good team, Tage Thompson would be a hell of a player."
A different source, the same refrain. The Sabres superstars are viewed through a different lens because they play for a franchise that hasn't been a threat in over a decade. One trip to the postseason would do wonders for the reputation of countless Buffalo players.
Thompson's production can't be denied, though. The UConn product has recorded 290 points (158 goals and 132 assists) in 303 games over the past four seasons. His 120 goals over the last three years ranks 10th in the NHL during that span.
A slight improvement defensively and a better power-play approach by the coaching staff could push Tage into Tier 2 next year.
Which Sabres could make the list next year?
It's a surprise winger Alex Tuch didn't make the latter portion of the rankings. He's coming off a 2024-25 campaign where he scored 36 goals while also setting a new NHL record for blocked shots by a forward in a single season with 113. That's terrific two-way production.
As for younger players who could earn a place on the list in the future, a couple names stand out from the rest for Buffalo.
Zach Benson's baseline scoring numbers (58 points in 146 games) from his first two NHL seasons are modest, but everything else about him screams future star. He's a hardworking forward who lives in the most dangerous areas of the ice offensively and uses his high hockey IQ well defensively.
Benson may get a shot at playing on the Sabres' top line alongside Thompson and either Tuch or Josh Norris (depending on whether Tage plays center or wing), which would put him in position to have an offensive explosion in 2025-26.
Owen Power is the other high-upside Buffalo player ready for a breakthrough. He's fought through some growing pains since being selected first overall in 2021 but he's still coming off a career-high 40 points last season.
Now he should finally receive some stability from a playing partner following the Sabres' acquisition of Michael Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth in the JJ Peterka trade. That alone is reason to believe the 6-foot-6 blueliner can improve considerably in the months ahead.
Ultimately, Buffalo is going to need those standout campaigns from Benson and Power, along with a lot more internal growth, in order to make a serious run at ending its 14-year playoff drought.
If the Sabres do make the postseason, however, they'll likely be represented far better on next summer's top 150 list from The Athletic.