3 Sabres players who should be gone by the end of the month

Right now, I’d like to owe Jason Zucker an apology. While the Sabres newcomer has yet to find the net, his four assists in seven games heading into Monday show us he’s been a good fit so far with the Blue and Gold. I’d also like to give Ryan McLeod some recognition, as he, too, looks like an exceptional addition with three goals. 

I had an inkling we’d see a potential breakout year from McLeod, who found himself relegated to being a role player with the Edmonton Oilers. Anyway, McLeod and Zucker have been a pair of ringers lately, especially since the Sabres have found their scoring mojo. 

But there are three players who either need to be reassigned or moved so the Sabres can turn things around quickly and get better as a team. 

Zach Benson

Zach Benson hasn’t taken the step forward I thought he would, and if you want my honest opinion, the kid has regressed. As of Monday afternoon, he has zero points and a minus-4 rating, and his play has been uninspiring. 

That said, don’t think that I’m saying general manager Kevyn Adams needs to move Benson to another team, as that would be atrocious. Instead, Benson is the one player I’d like to see the Sabres reassign so he can gain experience in the lower leagues before he makes his way back to the Queen City. 

Now for the good news: When I write about how badly a player is performing, it often means they’re on the verge of something amazing. So, maybe the same will ring true with Benson. 

Jiri Kulich

Jiri Kulich at least has one goal in five games but hasn’t done much else. I’ll give him props for being physical and winning faceoffs when called upon, as well as his 94.1 on-ice save percentage at even strength. 

Kulich is a good player and one who I’d like to see remain in the Sabres system, as he’s nearly an NHL-ready talent. If this were still 2022-23, I’d gladly keep him in Buffalo, but here in 2024-25, we need proven experience on this team. As with Benson, reassign Kulich and make room to try and acquire a veteran. 

This section should come with an asterisk attached to it because, in Kulich’s case, I should say something along the lines of “gone for now.” In other words, I wouldn’t mind seeing him reassigned to the AHL for a stint, then return to the NHL when needed. 

Connor Clifton

Connor Clifton has impressed me this season, and it makes it hard to put him on this list. But I have been annoyed with the way the Sabres have utilized Clifton this season, in which he’s averaging less than 15 minutes of ice time. 

Yeah, he’s got 10 giveaways in seven games, and that is an eyesore, but four takeaways, 18 hits, two points, and an even rating are all positives, plus an 11.4 percent on-ice shooting percentage and a 52.0 Corsi For at even strength, all as of Monday afternoon. 

Again, if you’re not going to expand his role in what has been a solid season, then why not trade him while he’s got some value? Maybe I’m missing something, but Clifton would be an excellent asset to trade for that top-six forward that I can’t stop talking about.