12 - Connor Clifton - Positioning
The Buffalo Sabres most aggressive defenseman has improved his positioning since the season began, but it’s still not always consistent. Clifton, who now has a plus-4 rating, should master this aspect of head coach Don Granato’s system by season’s end.
13 - Jordan Greenway - Finishing
Like Zach Benson, Jordan Greenway has seen quite a few chances when in front of or driving into the net, but he’s only boasting a 7.5 shooting percentage. While it would also be great to see him take more shots, he must also make the most of the opportunities when he tries to convert.
14 - Henri Jokiharju - Avoid overthinking
Henri Jokiharju has a bad habit of giving us overall inconsistent play, and while his numbers and possession metrics aren’t bad, he still gives us that, “What was he thinking,” shift early, and it often sets the tone for the rest of the game. He needs to play with a shortened memory and act like his current shift is his only shift.
15 - Mattias Samuelsson - Taking care of the puck
Like Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson has committed far too many giveaways (23) after he had just 21 last season. Sure, he could also improve his defensive game to the standard it was at last season, but Samuelsson has been responsible for more than his fair share of broken plays in the 37 contests he’s played in.