I asked AI to predict the Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 lineup. Here are the results

Several Buffalo Sabres coaching staffs have failed to produce the desired result — a long-awaited return to the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs — over the past 14 years. So why not give artificial intelligence, in this case xAI's Grok chatbot, a chance to build the team's lineup instead?

The Sabres have a lot of questions to answer about how their forward lines will come together as training camp gets underway this week. It starts with head coach Lindy Ruff's decision about whether to play superstar Tage Thompson at center or on the wing.

Buffalo has less than a month to make the key roster decisions before it opens the regular season with an Oct. 9 clash against the New York Rangers at the KeyBank Center. Here's a look at how AI would set the lineup card for that battle with the Eastern Conference rival Blueshirts.

Sabres Forward Lines

AI wants to see Thompson in the middle of the ice, and that certainly makes the most sense on paper. It creates more obvious roster-building decisions for Ruff and his staff. Alex Tuch can play on the first line, Jack Quinn gets a spot in the top six and the center depth looks way better with this alignment.

It also gives Buffalo the option to swap Zach Benson and Jiri Kulich depending on which young star showcases legitimate growth to their offensive game in 2025-26. Both players possess ample upside but have generated modest point totals early in their NHL careers.

That said, a third line of Benson, Ryan McLeod and Josh Doan is highly intriguing. You're talking about three terrific two-way players who are capable of being a nightmare matchup for opponents and tilting the ice in the Sabres' favor on a consistent basis.

Finally, Grok believes Beck Malenstyn will draw into the Opening Night lineup over free-agent signing Justin Danforth. They're set to compete for that final spot throughout the preseason.

Sabres Defense Pairs

No surprises from the AI here. This has been the expected Buffalo defensive setup since a pair of offseason trades: Michael Kesselring arriving as part of the JJ Peterka deal with the Utah Mammoth and Conor Timmins joining the Sabres from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

One thing that'll be interesting to watch throughout the season is whether Ruff attempts to create more opportunities for Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power to play together. A pair with the No. 1 overall picks has basically been a "break glass in case of emergency" situation over the years.

If that's going to happen, Bowen Byram must perform better away from Dahlin. The former Colorado Avalanche standout played well next to the Sabres cornerstone last year, as most defensemen do, but his lackluster performance with other members of Buffalo's blueline was a concern.

Ultimately, the Sabres are probably going to ride these three pairs as long as possible. Any changes would likely signal an injury or a season that's trending heavily in the wrong direction.

Sabres Goalies

Grok is projecting incumbent starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen may miss the start of the regular season because of injury. Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reported last week that UPL is dealing with a "tweak" ahead of camp with no clear timetable for his recovery.

Interestingly, AI predicts the recently signed Alexandar Georgiev would leapfrog Alex Lyon for the starting spot if UPL is sidelined for awhile.

Georgiev does have more experience handling a heavy workload, starting 171 games for the Avalanche and San Jose Sharks over the past three years, but Buffalo's decision to sign Lyon earlier in free agency would seemingly give him the inside track on the Opening Night assignment.

Either way, it's clear the Sabres will do everything in their power to give prized prospect Devon Levi another full year with the Rochester Americans rather than asking him to jump between the NHL and the AHL on a regular basis. It's the right move.

This outlook will become more clear once a firm update on Luukkonen is announced.