Équipe: 2022-23 Sabres de Buffalo

Date de création initiale: 6 avr. 2022

Publié: 6 avr. 2022

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

A late season run of success has shown the NHL that the Buffalo Sabres have turned over a new leaf and are ready to be competitive.

The off-season is focused on reaching the cap floor and shoring up some positions through free agency. In order to prevent the Buffalo Sabres from starting the season as the Rochester Sabres, they focus their attention on veteran leadership for such a young group.

The Sabres need to make some tough decisions and it begins with letting Vinny Hinostroza fall to free agency. Thr feisty winger served the Sabres well, but the team no longer needs his services. He'll likely land elsewhere on a two or three year deal.

Finding a mentor for U-PL is a top priority. Craig Anderson has been great for the Sabres, but the team needs to shed about ten years off their next goaltender and look for a more durable option. Braden Holtby serves that mentorship role and has proven success in the league. He can eat 20-25 games and more importantly, cap space.

Owen Power joins the Sabres, so finding him a veteran, defensive-minded right shot defender that can allow Power to grow AND act as a mentor along the way is crucial. Buffalo hits free agency and lures Josh Manson into town to help solidify the back end. Casey Fitzgerald is the unfortunate casualty in this situation.

Asplund carves out a role with his great defensive play and joins Okposo and Girgensons in what will likely be their final season in a Sabres uniform.

Buffalo's third line is young and exciting. Mitts is developing into a low-end 2C option and can easily toggle with Cozens to mix the lineup from time to time. Jack Quinn joins them in his rookie campaign on the wing.

With Krebs still developing and falling back to third line duties, it would be best to bring in some top-6 help to provide some support for the budding youth movement. Nino Niederreiter slots into that 2LW spot for next season and profides Buffalo not only with a scoring touch, but a good back checking forward option as well. When Okposo leaves, Niederreiter falls back to 3/4 line duties and takes on a vet leadership role with the team. Krebs can easily move up to 2LW when the situation presents itself.