Olen Zellweger enjoyed some moments of offensive brilliance during his three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks but a lack of consistency, especially in the defensive zone, led the Western Conference club to trade the 22-year-old defenseman to the Buffalo Sabres in June.
Josh Doan, who enjoyed a breakout season during his first year in Buffalo, previously skated with Zellweger in Canada during the summer and came away impressed.
"A pretty special hockey player," Doan told Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald. "People are going to notice right away how offensively gifted he is and the difference he can make for us right away."
Zellweger recorded 51 points (16 goals and 35 assists) across 164 appearances for the Ducks.
The Sabres are hoping he'll play a key role in helping the team overcome the departure of Bowen Byram, who was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks after racking up 42 points in 82 games last season.
It was a cost-effective change for Buffalo, which quickly signed Zellweger to a three-year, $9.3 million contract extension ($3.1 million AAV). Byram received a six-year, $75 million deal ($12.5 million AAV) from the Hawks that'll begin next season.
The question is whether the Calgary native's play defensively can make enough positive strides to warrant a full-time role playing on the second pair alongside Owen Power.
As things stand, it feels like the Sabres will use a rotation next to Power. Zellweger will get the call for offensive-zone draws and in other scoring-focused situations, while Conor Timmins and Louis Crevier (part of the Byram return package) will handle the defensive responsibilities.
It'll be a successful season for Zellweger if he's able to solidify himself as a top-four defenseman by proving those D-zone schematic changes aren't necessary.
Buffalo Sabres' up-tempo play style should benefit Olen Zellweger
One reason for optimism following Zellweger's arrival to Buffalo is the fact head coach Lindy Ruff gives his blueliners ample freedom to play aggressively.
Ruff wants his defenders to jump-start breakouts, join the rush and come up the boards in an effort to keep pucks in the zone on the cycle.
So, having a player like Zellweger, one of the NHL's best skaters, should play right into that approach.
The left-shot defenseman ranked in the 98th or 99th percentile in all three categories of skating burst speed tracked by NHL EDGE last season. His fluidness, especially when carrying the puck up ice, was evident throughout his time in Anaheim.
Now, he'll play within a system that should spotlight those traits every game.
Does that mean Zellweger will instantly transform into a Norris Trophy candidate? Almost certainly not, but it does put him in an environment to maximize his skill set. Finding that comfort zone is necessary before a breakthrough season arrives, just ask Mattias Samuelsson.
The Sabres aren't going to put too much on his plate right away, though. As mentioned, he'll likely split the second-pair minutes and skate on the third pair at times. His special-teams usage will be limited, though he may take some shifts from Power on the No. 2 power-play unit.
Initially, the team's focus will be getting him to win his 5-on-5 minutes at a high rate by putting him in favorable situations. Buffalo will hope the trickle-down effect is added confidence that shows up elsewhere in his game, particularly in the defensive zone.
If everything comes together, Zellweger could be another game-changing force on the blue line by the time the Stanley Cup Playoffs roll around in the spring.
The Sabres will be aiming to make the postseason for a second straight season after finally bringing an end to a miserable 14-year drought.
Another massive year from their defensemen will be an important part of that equation.
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