As an outsider looking in, only thing I’d really worry about is the goalie situation. Is Levi being thrown to the wolves to early? I would’ve thought they’d acquire a decent goalie that can start if Levi just isn’t ready but maybe they think UPL can or Comrie? Think the D should be okay probably missing 1 piece in that top 4 to make it exceptional but overall not a big deal. And obviously great forward depth throughout.

In Levi, extremely confident......

In Clifton, reasonably confident.....

In Okposo playing 3rd line minutes or Krebs missing from your lineup, not at all confident....

How many fewer goals can they let in than they did last year

Krebs isn’t very good

That’s true lol don’t really need exceptional goaltending, really just need average to be okay

outsider opinion:

Clifton: not at all, way in over his head if hes second pair (i like his offensive upside though im not sure thats what BUF needs)

Levi: I think he has legit starter upside. i also think goalie development is very wacky. it may take a few years for him to find his footing.

Johnson: L O L

If the Sabres got league average goaltending they would have been in the playoffs last year. They don't need Levi to be a star year 1, they need him to be league average. Clifton/Johnson are upgrades to those spots from last year. The Sabres ran AHL D out there all year last year (Bryson 59 games, Clague 33 games, Pilut 17 games). They're upgrades and they play on the PK another weakness last year. These 3 will also benefit from a team that is a year older, after being the youngest in the NHL last season.

Depends on how they help Levi, and that goes to Coaching to. They played Wide Open run and Gun for 65gms last Year. Think Clifton will help, and hopefully Johnson can stay Healthy. But they Need to run some kind of Defensive System. Asking Levi to deal with What UPL did last year is Asking for trouble.

That’s true they will have to sacrifice a little bit of offence to focus more on D

Good enough for bottom lines

If they run a decent 200ft system using there Forwards it could actually make for more turnovers and fast breaks coming out of are Zone. Could make for more Offense having the puck more.