The margins can be very small when it comes to advancing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sabres were very close to advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals this season. If one player had been available, they may have moved on. That same player has a bright future with the team.
Noah Östlund, a 22-year-old forward, showed flashes during the season but also had injury issues throughout the year. Despite not playing on the first line, he played well during the power play when healthy.
In 60 games, he had over 25 points throughout the year. This included two goals and four assists on the power play. This led to head coach Lindy Ruff promoting the versatile center/winger to the top PP unit in the opening playoff series against the Boston Bruins.
Noah Östlund had a goal and assist in the Bruins series before an injury sidelined him
Östlund had an upper body injury that kept him out of the second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens. This forced Ruff to change up the power play. The Sabres pushed their battle with the Habs to seven games. Who knows if Östlund being on the ice would have led to a victory?
The question itself gives the Sabres and their fans hope for the Swede's future. If he can stay healthy, he could be a key to the Sabres staying a contender. They hope to be a Stanley Cup threat next season and not just a one-off.
For Östlund, training camp will come quicker than some might expect. The Sabres are right now looking at who to re-sign and if they need to bring in a high profile winger or center. But having a youthful roster already on the books could help them save money.
He is signed through next season on an entry level contract and will become a restricted free agent in 2027. As he gets ready for next season, knowing he may be due for a new contract may give him insensitive to perform a high at high level throughout all of next year.
It seems at the moment that Alex Tuch asking price is very high. The winger is looking for a lucrative contract. Unlike previous seasons, though, where the Sabres had high-profile splits with key players, they have strong youth and a great roster already in place this time.
Östlund's emergence and promotion to the power play last season is exactly the kind of move that should give the Sabres hope for the future.
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