Here is my projections for the 2023-24 Buffalo Sabres, I am assuming we finish 3rd and 7th in the lottery in 2022 and 2023. Florida and Vegas picks are 25 and 30.
Line, Player # (Expected/Max. Points)
First Line 53 (70-80) - 72 (70-90) - 89 (80-100)
Skinner - Skinner is a 40 goal scorer 70 point winger, if he can stay consistent he should have no issues hitting that with his linemates and a improving power play.
Thompson - This is assuming he continues to improve, Thompson has shown that he can be a successful 30+ goal scorer while providing good defense with his long reach and consistent pressure backchecking.
Tuch (C) - The future captain, Tuch is a consistent threat on both end of the ice his long reach lets him break up passes and he is always a threat in the ozone. He's the playmaker and with goal scorers like Thompson and Tuch he should be able to get close to the 100 point mark.
Since Tuch Started they all around just around a point per game, and most of their points are even-strength. Each gets around 18 minutes a game. With another season to gel this line could see themselves end up with Skinner, 40/30. Thompson, 35/45. Tuch, 30-70.
Second Line 19 (40-90) - 24 (A) (65 - 90) - 22 (50 - 90)
Krebs - Think that Krebs has a lot of potential but he hasn't been showing much of it recently. I think that if he was paired with a more 2 way center as a winger he would drastically improve. if not this spot is Mittelstadts.
Cozens - He is our best 2 way center and could be the number one center at this point 3 years in. I would play him with Skinner and Tuch or Quinn and Tuch but i don't want to break that line up. Think Cozens shows a ton of potential and once he gets consistent line mates and wingers he will be able to create more offense. Right now he is being switch around and its not helping his offensive game.
Quinn - Think he's going to be a star, he shows a lot of potential and his AHL numbers are similar to those of Rantanen and Guentzel (just saying, not saying he's going to be either of these players.) I think he could become a good first/second line player and a perfect winger for Cozens.
I think this line has a ton of potential and could prove to be a difference maker each night. If all these players hit there stride I could see them all ending with a point per game. This is a stereotypical Playmaker - Power Forward - Center line.
Third Line 71 (40 - 60) - 37 (50-60) - 77 (30-60)
Not much to explain, think this is just a faster scoring third line, if Olofsson is traded you could fit Rosen on this line, or a player from the 2022 draft.
Fourth Line 74 (25-40) - 25 (25-40) - 91 (25-40)
Love asplund as a depth 4th liner, PK player that can fill in up the lineup if there is any injuries or issues. If we lose players for cap casualties he is a perfect fit to play along side 2 high end offensive forwards. I hope Routsalainen could become the same thing...or Murray. Rosen is a place holder, Rosen, Poltapov, Kisakov, pick 25/30, or any other depth picks.
First Pair 26 (A) (60-80) - 76 (10-40)
Dahlin is going to be the number one D-man on this team. Power will have to do a lot to become the number one. I think Dahlin is showing more recently the type of player he can be, i would love to see Dahlin and Power on the top line. Dahlin could be a point per game player as soon as next year, 2022-23,.
Bryson is a placeholder, would love Nemec to fill this position.
Second Pair 2 (30-60) - 10 (20-40)
Power is going to be so good, can't wait to see what he can do.
jokiharju is probably a second or third pair dman, could be great along side Samuelsson.
Third Pair 23 (5-25) - 9 (5-25)
Samuelsson and Johnson. These 2 are going to have to either battle for the 3rd LD spot or one switch to RD. I love what Samuelsson has showed so far in his stint this season. He is a shutdown Dman and rarely gets beat, will be interesting to see what Ryan can bring to the table.
Goaltending 1 - 11
UPL looked amazing earlier this season, next year will be the test to see if he can really fill the starting position in 23-24.
Levi probably debutes this season at the young age of 21, could see some action at the end of 22-23 coming up from Rochester.
Skinner has never been a 40/30 guy, what makes you think this will start at age 30?
The Key to that was if he stays consistent. If he could play like he has for the last 3 months with Thompson and Tuch he would be a 40-30/35 guy. Just never stays consistent for that long.
Sure let's dream a bit, why not.
We all need to have a great fantasy.
R2 could be the fourth line center, he certainly is doing well in Rochester.
I was excited when Buffalo signed him. He had only one less goal than Kakko in 2018-19.
I like that you did not make any silly trades for a RHD, but I think they may be able to sign a decent UFA RHD.
I also like that you have right handed players on RW and left handed players on LW.
Finally, I would not be surprised of Okposo signs a team friendly contract.
While he played for the Islanders he kept his family in St. Paul, MN, after he was traded to Buffalo, the family moved here.
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