3 studs and 2 duds for the Buffalo Sabres in the first half of 2023-24
The Buffalo Sabres haven’t enjoyed anything even remotely close to a good season so far in 2023-24, but a few players have been productive.
The Buffalo Sabres have collectively taken a step back in 2023-24, having logged just two measly winning streaks throughout the first half of the season, and none have been over two games. But even the worst teams in the NHL have their studs, and the Sabres boast three players who deserve recognition for their contributions through the first 41 games of the year.
But there is also a dark side, as many of the Blue and Gold’s players have failed to live up to their lofty expectations set for themselves following last season. However, it would take a novel to cover every player who has taken a step back, so we will focus on just two of them.
One player who just missed the cut in the stud category is Alex Tuch, who despite a horrific start to the year has 29 points in 34 contests. He’s nearing a career-high in average total ice time, and is also showing off a sound two-way game with 36 blocks and 34 takeaways.
As for the duds, Connor Clifton barely missed being listed, but improved performances in recent games saved him. However, there is one defenseman you will meet who wasn’t so lucky, as he seemingly has struggled all year.
3 Buffalo Sabres players who have played well and 2 who haven’t
1 - Stud: Casey Mittelstadt, C
Even when the Sabres are playing their worst games, you can still count on Casey Mittelstadt to enjoy some outstanding outings. In last night’s loss vs. the Seattle Kraken, for example, Mittelstadt added a pair of assists to his resume, and he now has 35 points in 41 games played.
While the 25-year-old performed well over the second half of 2022-23, it’s fair to say we didn’t know if Mittelstadt would continue to produce well in 2023-24, or if his play would revert to mediocrity. With 35 points, 11 goals, and 24 assists, however, he answered that question for us, and you can expect Mittelstadt to continue pacing the Sabres in points at the rate he’s going.
2 - Dud: Mattias Samuelsson, D
Wow, what a downturn Mattias Samuelsson has experienced this season following a year when it felt like his presence was fueling the Sabres to play their best hockey. Samuelsson was disruptive and he always seemed to be taking plays away in 2022-23, hence the reason Buffalo won so much when he was healthy.
This season, it’s a different story, as while he’s been healthy for the most part and is well on pace to shatter his career-highs in points, blocks, and hits, Samuelsson has also been nowhere near as disruptive. He’s logged just seven takeaways, and he’s become a turnover machine when in possession of the puck.
3 - Stud: Rasmus Dahlin, D
While Rasmus Dahlin wasn’t my first choice for the 2024 All-Star Game and he’s had some lean moments this season, it doesn’t take away the value he gives to the Buffalo Sabres. He has 32 points in 40 games this season, and he’s just three goals from tying his career-best of 15. His 9.9 shooting percentage is also on pace for a career-high, along with his 121 shots on goal.
But what impresses the most about Dahlin is the fact that he’s more physical now than he’s ever been, with 79 hits and 79 blocks in 40 contests. Like most of the team, Dahlin has experienced a drop-off in on-ice save percentage across the board, but the evolution of his multi-dimensional game continues to draw league-wide recognition, and we have seen why on several occasions.
4 - Dud: Dylan Cozens, C
It was hard to put Dylan Cozens into the “dud” category, because watching him this season, you can argue that part of his struggles comes from sheer bad luck. But after 39 games in 2023-24, Cozens has a measly 20 points, and there’s no working around that in Year 1 of that lucrative contract of his.
He’s still a moderately physical player with 16 blocks and 33 hits, but his 22 giveaways have already superseded last season’s number, in which he had 20. Cozens also logged 36 takeaways last season, and this year, he has just 11. So, it hasn’t just been awful luck regarding Cozens - he’s regressed horribly in many areas; most notably, his 5.9 shooting percentage.
5 - Stud: Jeff Skinner, W
The Sabres could be the worst team in hockey, and Jeff Skinner would still be in this position so long as Ralph Krueger isn’t coaching the group. In 38 games this year, Skinner has 33 points, 17 goals, and 16 assists, making him the Blue and Gold’s most productive forward besides Casey Mittelstadt.
While Skinner, like all of the Buffalo Sabres players, will likely see a regression in points when the season concludes in April, he should at least log the second most productive season of his career. And while he will eventually become the Sabres oldest skater next season barring any new signee, Skinner has so far looked ageless.
Update: There is a chance Skinner could be out for an extended time after sustaining an injury last night, but once he returns, expect the same player we have grown accustomed to.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)