Ranking the Sabres forwards for the 2024-25 season from worst to first

10 - Peyton Krebs

Peyton Krebs also won’t help in the scoring category, and there’s a chance he won’t give the Sabres more than 25 points. But you can’t help but get excited about how much he’s evolved as a defensive-forward, with just 30 on-ice goals against at even strength in 80 games. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Krebs became more serviceable in the faceoff circle this season, as that number continues to trend north - 46.3 last season compared to 45.1 in 2022-23; slow but steady progress. 

9 - Jordan Greenway

Jordan Greenway should revert to seeing between 13 and 15 minutes per game now that the Sabres should be healthy this season and with Zach Benson potentially seeing more ice time. That said, he’ll be part of a sound checking line that may also include Ryan McLeod and Jason Zucker if the Sabres don’t end up putting the latter in the top-six. 

8 - Ryan McLeod

You know I was a big fan of this move, even if it meant sending Matt Savoie to Edmonton of all places. His play isn’t flashy, but winning faceoffs will be a priority for the Sabres this season, as will depth scoring, and McLeod is capable of bringing the Sabres both of these from the bottom-six. 

7 - Zach Benson

If there’s one young player I can see gaining ground in these rankings this season, it’s Zach Benson. His late-season performances set the stage for what we can expect this year, and if you’re a Sabres fan, you can’t help but get excited about his future. 

6 - Jason Zucker

Jason Zucker regressed last season following a strong 2022-23 campaign, and at 33, this signing looked hit-or-miss to me. Hopefully, I’m wrong about Zucker, but if there’s one player listed here who could freefall, it’s him.