Team: 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 27, 2022

Published: Aug. 27, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

If Skinner can break from tradition and not slide backwards as he has in the past, he should help lift Thompson to a repeat of last years breakout and beyond. Seeing close to 40 goals each would cement this tandem as solid top six line mates. Tuch is the grit on that first line that just makes everything work and his positive attitude should see him become an assistant captain with the potential of a captains "C" soon to follow after the retirement of Okposo.

2023 should see an all kids line taking that next step to realizing their potential. With the growth show by Krebs and Cozens last year in Buffalo and the amazing ease at which Quinn dominated in Rochester, they should realize marketable improvement towards the second half of the season. If this trio can make those improvements a reality, they will make for a speedy and capable second line.

I would look for a few players like Mittlestadt, Olofsson, Hinostroza and Bjork to be trade bate for playoff teams close to the deadline. With prospects like Savoie, Ostlund, Rosen and Nadeau entering the system, they will need those slots to continue the growth and development in late 2023 and into 2024. Those trades could add even more talent to the pool through additional picks and/or new young gritty talent. One thing Buffalo needs to add along with more defensive prospects.

The remaining bottom six has an even mix talent and an ability to hold their own both defensively and in creating lesser minute scoring opportunities. This should help to exhaust opposing defensive schemes throughout sixty minutes of play.

On the blue line, I would take the eight games from last season in which Power showed no hesitation of transitioning to the NHL level and expect so much more from his game going forward. If he does show that offensive ability along with the defensive capability and puck carry skills, we could benefit from a pairing with someone like Lyubushkin who's primary job would be too punish the opponents first and second lines and protect the net on the other side of the ice. This would create a powerful defensive tandem that helps the top six forwards create even more scoring chances in the offensive zone. Dahlin and Samuelsson on that second defensive line would create an incredible one two for Buffalo's defense.

The goaltending situation is still a major question mark and really the only reason to question a push to finally get back to a playoff spot. With teams like Boston and Tampa throwing everything in for one or two final years before entering the rebuild process themselves, it would be wise to take advantage of that and just focus on continued development this season. with three talented goaltending prospects in the pipe line and UPL ready but still unsigned, Let Comrie and Anderson play the part for as much of 2022-23 as they can. Keep those positions open going forward for the four younger prospects even though they will need time to develop.

Let 2022-23 be the last low stress, development and growth year with an eye to fight hard going into 2023-24. The patients shown now could pay off big over the next decade or longer so steer clear of the temptation of trading these prospects and picks for that big high priced name just to make a short splash this season. The plan will pay off very soon.