Wow, no matter how much I try to project this lineup, it doesn't look like a strong bunch. This is less of a projection of what I think will happen, but one that, should the Buffalo Sabres keep everything as-is, that should happen.
Still, it's riding on a lot of 'if's. If Zach Benson breaks out and Josh Norris stays healthy, the Sabres could have a decent top six, especially if Jiri Kulich takes a step forward. This is, of course, assuming the scenario below reflects what we'll see on opening night.
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Zach Benson | Josh Norris | Tage Thompson |
Jason Zucker | Jiri Kulich | Alex Tuch |
Jack Quinn | Ryan McLeod | Josh Doan |
Jordan Greenway | Peyton Krebs | Beck Malenstyn |
Justin Danforth |
Heck, the top nine could even look good if Josh Doan plays like he did during his showcases in 2023-24 as opposed to his mostly medicore performances last season during his former club's first year in Utah. Jack Quinn could be the wild card here. He had a bad year in 2024-25, but could bounce back and play like someone who should be in the top six.
As for the fourth line projection and our extra? It could be very, very hard-hitting. And it's something the Sabres need more of.
Defensemen lineup could look dramatically different
Bowen Byram is the biggest name on this list, since we have no idea if he's sticking around or going elsewhere. But taking the 'as is' route means he's in Buffalo for the time being. Pairing him with Rasmus Dahlin could be epic, and I also wouldn't count out that second pairing, with Owen Power and Michael Kesselring.
While Kesselring's no justification for the JJ Peterka trade, he will nonetheless help the Sabres blue line do what it struggled with last season. That said, he could be a good player in the middle pairing.
Left Defense | Right Defense |
|---|---|
Bowen Byram | Rasmus Dahlin |
Owen Power | Michael Kesselring |
Mattias Samuelsson | Conor Timmins |
Jacob Bryson | Zachary Jones |
Mattias Samuelsson is a big hitter, and he'd add more edge to the Sabres if he ever managed to stay healthy. Conor Timmins is another one I like, and he'll prove his worth in blocking shots.
As for Jacob Bryson and Zachary Jones, they're nothing more than the top extras. Should the Sabres roll with a 14th forward, one of them will be headed to Rochester.
Goaltending hardly changes from a season ago
The great debate isn't who's slotting in at No. 1. We know that's Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and he should stay there even if he has a bad year again. But the No. 2 spot? I'm giving it to Alex Lyon, who takes over for James Reimer.
Goaltenders |
|---|
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen |
Alex Lyon |
And it's really not much of a change, considering Lyon last played in Detroit, exactly where Reimer was before his one-year stint in Buffalo. So, that's a wrap, and a 'way too early' projection of your forward lines, defensive pairings, and netminders.
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