Team: 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 10, 2021

Published: Aug. 10, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

RW is going to be all over the place this year. I can see a handful of scenarios playing out, but the most realistic based on past decision making says Okposo plays 3/4 RW. Hayden, Quinn, or Rosen even, based on training camp performance. My money is on one of Quinn or Peterka.

Olofsson and Hinostroza will compete for top 2 RW slots. I think Hinostroza has more upside than VO personally, but I think he would fit better with Cozens. Olofsson had a decent year and definitely has the ability to finish so he gets the nod as RW1. I have almost no faith in Tage Thompson, so him and Okposo(or one of the rookies) can fight it out for the last 2 spots.

LW is where it gets complicated. Obviously Skinner is getting PAID, and he needs to get some confidence back and clearly needs to find his game again. Making 9 million per season you kind of HAVE to put him on line 1 to justify that cap. We'll see how invested in the young guys they truly are come opening night; could effect his spot.
I have Skinner playing 1/2 LW, rotating between playing with Cozens and Mittlestadt to see who he clicks with. Bjork, Peterka, and R2 can take the other 3 spots based on performance. I do like Bjorks game a ton, though I see him as a 3-4. Can put him on line 4 with Zemgus and Okposo and try to recreate the "LOG" line. That leaves R2 and Peterka on lines 2 and 3

Defense looks decent this year for once. Gotta do the Dahlin/Joker combo and then I like Butcher with Pysyk. Pair 3 would likely rotate throughout the year. Power, Johnson, Samuelsson, and Bryson will all take turns proving their worth with Miller as their partner. Hagg being the rotating man out IMO

Goalie is hot garbage. Dell can backup the AHL if they plan on playing rookies in the NHL this year. If they dont, then we have Anderson and Dell which isnt great. UPL, Levi, and Portillo fight for starting position in the A if the Dell/Anderson play in the NHL