If they return this lineup there will be hell to pay.
Casey Mittelstadt is a massive question mark going forward and should not be counted on in the slightest.

This is a very risky way, we can not rely only on young people. Just will be as usual if the youth will not pull the level, they go to AHL, and their place who would take over? Okposo will be in the top 6 to hang out, Sobotka, anyone else of the same level, again will remain without 2C if Mittelstadt will again not ready for this role.

So the plan is to double down on one of the worst teams we've ever seen

i think Smith, C.J has earned the 3rd LW spot. good defensively and 30 goals between AHL and NHL 2x better then 2 guys above him. other than that i would switch mccabe and pluit around, so would have defensive d with offensive d instead of doubling up.

D pairings I like (if Risto is still here):
Dahlin - Bogo (Borgen if Bogo injured)
McCabe - Montour
Pilut - Risto
If Risto is gone, move Borgen or Nelson to Pair 1 with Dahlin and Bogo down to pair 3 with Pilut.
We will probably see Dahlin/Montour at some point, but I think they play a similar style of defense, and pairing them with contrasting styles on their other side would be beneficial to depth.

100% Agree with forward pairings of 53/9 & 37/23

i like cj smith too but someone has to kill penalties so that's why i think larsson and girgensons will come back on one year deals. i think he's the extra forward this year and morphs into the conor sheary role after next season.

The downward spiral pretty much coincided with departure of Berglund. He was considered a very positive locker room contributor in St. Louis and during his tenure in Buffalo. I think Buffalo needs to find similar contributor for next years team. I have one in mind, does any one agree with this assessment? If you do please share who you think may be able to fill this role.
I have not had the pleasure of watching Asplund play but he had an incredible last month with 12 pts in 14 games. IMO he will be in the line up next year and either Girgensons or Larsson will not.
Thompson is tearing up the AHL right now with 6 goals and 9 pts in 8 games. I know these are small samples but they are very encouraging signs.
Mittelstadt has been a HUGE disappointment. He performed well in the Juniors, U. of Minnesota, his 6 game try out in the NHL and the Sabre 3 on 3 competition. But he was virtually invisible during the prospect challenge and of course his first year in Buffalo. I hope he can turn it around. If he can, life is good, if not the Sabres will lack secondary scoring.
Before the season started I was criticized for suggesting Mittelstadt and Thompson should have spent the year in Rochester. But they have been given the taste of losing and the flavor does not seem unpalatable right now.
I do not see Betterall signing a marquise free agent. I think he may take on salary for picks, players or prospects. I can see him continue to make trades similar to Skinner, Montour or Sheary. I do not know who he has in mind because every one of these trades were a big surprise when they were announced.
Next year line up:
53 - 9 - 21 (give Okposo better playing time with talented forwards)
42 -37 - 23 (help Mittelstadt and put Reinhart on his wing)
43 - 71 - 72 (Sheary and Rodrigues looked really good last year)
20 - 22 - Asplund

IDK how to match up the defense,
26 - ?? Dahlin needs a defensive partner, the only RHD who fits that may be Bogosian, but I cannot see him playing 20+ minutes per game. So I could see Ristolainen traded to get one.
19 - 62
6 - 8

smith does kill penalties in AHL so that job dosen't change too much upon promotion. but i see sabers only keeping one of either larsson or girgensons and letting other walk. they may even trade sheary to bring in another top 6 LW too.