It’s midway through the current NHL season and the Sabres sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. While fans brace for another year likely out of the playoffs, the team brought in three new players who have made a positive impact. Let’s examine them below:
Jason Zucker
Left winger Jason Zucker, in his 16th NHL season, signed a one-year deal with the Blue and Gold on July 1, 2024. The veteran forward made his mark since coming to Buffalo, with 15 goals, 18 assists and 33 total points. While they’re not his best career numbers or the highest stats on the roster, Zucker is always an offensive threat, creating opportunities and not letting opposing goalies and D-men ever get too comfortable.
No. 17 is a welcome addition, putting his years of NHL experience to good use on a team that still has a lot of young players. His finest performance so far came on Jan. 2 versus the Colorado Avalanche. Zucker enjoyed a hat trick against the Avs, not having to duck any headgear from the stands because it was an away game. While Colorado answered back with two late goals in regulation and won the matchup in OT, Zucker did his part to keep Buffalo in the game.
Ryan McLeod
Center Ryan McLeod arrived in Buffalo with Tyler Tullio as part of an Edmonton Oilers trade in exchange for Matthew Savoie. A fast skater, McLeod combines his relative youth (still just 25) with an experienced mindset and a nose for scoring chances. No. 71 enjoys a 10-14-24 record as of this writing. These aren’t top-six stats, but McLeod is an on-ice asset, playing like a forward much older than his age.
Zucker wasn’t the only Buffalo forward to net a recent hat trick. McLeod scored three goals in the Sabres’ 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 15. What made this accomplishment even more amazing is McLeod became the first NHL player since the 1965-66 season to score a goal without taking a shot.
The Canes trailed the Sabres in the third period and pulled their goalie to try to force an overtime. Carolina got within one, but McLeod made a break-away to score an empty-netter. As he tried to take the shot, Hurricanes defenseman Brett Burns slashed his stick but the refs awarded McLeod the goal as a penalty shot.
Dennis Gilbert
One of the biggest weaknesses the Sabres have suffered in recent years is a lack of toughness. Fans and observers often note players don’t play a physical enough game. Head coach Lindy Ruff has tried to change that, encouraging the guys to check more, fight harder and stand up to opponents who act like thugs. New defenseman Dennis Gilbert is the right man for that job.
The Buffalo native is not afraid to drop the gloves with anyone. Gilbert has already served 43 penalty minutes. No. 8 is the closest thing the Sabres have to an enforcer and a guy Rob Ray would be proud of. He’s been in a lot of fights in his NHL career but one notable incident happened during Buffalo’s 4-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 9. Sens’ captain Brady Tkachuk picked a fight with Gilbert, who fought right back and threw some punches before the zebras separated the two. Fans love Gilbert’s physicality and hope to see more of it the near future.