Stat Hockey’s Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch

Casey Mittelstadt – Dylan Cozens – JJ Peterka

Jordan Greenway – Peyton Krebs – Victor Olofsson

Zemgus Girgensons – Tyson Jost – Kyle Okposo

S- Brandon Biro, Brett Murray

D

Mattias Samuelsson – Rasmus Dahlin

Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju

Erik Johnson – Connor Clifton

S- Jacob Bryson

G

Devon Levi

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Notable injuries to start season: Jack Quinn (achilles)

Forwards

There’s no chance that the Sabres touch their first line that did great for them last season. Thompson continues to grow and is one of the best centermen in the game. He should lead this team in goals and points for the foreseeable future. This line has allowed Skinner to return to form and produce great offensive numbers. Tuch wanted to be in Buffalo and he is proving that the Sabres’ part of the trade was excellent as well. This might be the most underrated first line that each put up over a point-per-game last season and could easily do it again.

The second line will see a bit of change as the Sabres should promote Peterka to a full-time role in the top-six. This will be to start at least. He will have some competition when Quinn returns from injury and with Olofsson on the team. Cozens has the second line center spot locked down and played great last season as well. The third member, Mittelstadt, is finally turning into the player the Sabres had hoped for, and not a second too late.

The third line isn’t amazing, but has potential. I don’t like Greenway’s numbers and that he will probably be on the wing there. When Quinn comes back from injury, I can see Greenway easily slipping down. Krebs should take a step forward and has potential, but who will lead the line is Olofsson and his goal-scoring. Most of it actually comes at five-on-five.

The Sabres’ fourth line should be as stable as ever. They won’t wow you, but are able to produce and outplay their opponents. Okposo was a nice surprise last season with the numbers he produced. Jost is still relatively young and has the ability to produce some points, I can see Okposo and Jost being moved up and spending time on the third line. Girgensons should once again get into most of the games as the Sabres are loyal to him and he works hard. It will be interesting to see who else makes the team out of training camp. There are a lot of very skilled young players, but they likely need some seasoning in the AHL first.

Defense

Dahlin and Samuelsson proved to be an effective top pair for the Sabres last season, both coming together after being drafted in 2018. Despite both players shooting left, Dahlin has the ability to play his off side and till put up monster numbers. He should be one of the best defenders in the NHL once again, and Samuelsson will stabilize him defensively.

Power gets a little more of a sheltered role and he played very well in his rookie season. He will likely see himself in this role for a long time with the defense the team has. The team has a few options for the slot on the right side, but I think Jokiharju holds that role again.

Related: Stat Hockey’s Boston Bruins 2023-24 Line Projections

Both Johnson and Clifton are comfortable in their roles on the third pairing as both played there on different teams last season. Johnson for the Colorado Avalanche and Clifton for the Bruins. They should form a formidable defensive duo on the blue line to help keep pucks out of the net. And if Power needs a bit more support defensively, either would be solid choices to move up.

Goaltending

The goaltending situation might be less confusing than you think. Levi should be the starter because of how highly touted he is and the performance he put on in the second half of last season. I expect him to start 45-50 games and be the starter in Buffalo. It doesn’t make much sense for the Sabres to run with three goalies either, if Luukkonen makes the team as the backup, which he should. He put up better numbers than Eric Comrie in more games, and is eligible for waivers now. I don’t think there’s much of a risk of Comrie being picked up on waivers. If he does, the team still has Dustin Tokarski as their third strong goalie.