This is a look at the Buffalo Sabres 2022-23 line projections. It will cover all four forward lines, defence pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.
Lineup Projections
F
Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Victor Olofsson
Peyton Krebs – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch
JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Jack Quinn
Rasmus Asplund – Zemgus Girgensons – Kyle Okposo
S- Vinnie Hinostroza, Anders Bjork
D
Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin
Owen Power – Ilya Lyubushkin
Jacob Bryson – Henri Jokiharju
S- Kale Clague
G
Eric Comrie
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Forwards
The Sabres have a very young team that could stun everyone next season. It may take a bit longer with the number of rookies they’ll likely insert into the lineup this season. Among those are Quinn, Peterka, Power, and likely Luukkonen at one point if not right away.
Skinner and Thompson are locks for the top line as they played great together last season. The right wing may be a tossup and even change throughout the season between Olofsson and Tuch, depending on how things go. Mittelstadt is healthy and though I assume he’ll play second line centre, Cozens could push for a top-six role in his place.
Very good offensive players in Quinn and Peterka should make the jump this season and it is beneficial to have them start on the third line with the opportunity to move up. Krebs and Asplund will have to show they can sustain their play to play higher in the lineup, but Krebs should get more of an opportunity to begin.
The fourth line will consist of veterans and possibly a couple fringe players battling for playing time. General manager Kevyn Adams said he’s taking the approach of developing younger talent, so look for those players to get longer leashes and more playing time this season.
Defence
Dahlin has developed into a great number one defenceman and his offence has really become a factor. Alongside him should be young Samuelsson who is defensively responsible. Power won’t be thrust into a top pairing role right away and face better matchups entering his rookie season. Though Jokiharju is more talented and could play in the top-four, Lyubushkin will allow Power chances to put his offence on show and room to make mistakes.
Jokiharju and Bryson will form a formidable third pair with Clague and Casey Fitzgerald battling it out for the seventh spot. The oldest defenceman on the team is 28, so there’s lots of room for any defender to take a step forward and stand out.
Goaltending
Many think it’s a lock for Craig Anderson to be the starter for the Sabres. With the comment made about giving young players a chance, shouldn’t that mean Luukkonen will finally make the jump to the NHL full-time? Comrie was excellent in a backup role for the Winnipeg Jets last season, and has earned more starts in 2022-23.
At age 41, Anderson has slowed down and I think the Sabres will go with Luukkonen who also played very well in his nine-game showcase last season.
What do you think about the Buffalo Sabres 2022-23 line projections? What would you change?
Related: Stat Hockey’s Boston Bruins 2022-23 Line Projections
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