Now that free agent frenzy and the NHL Draft have come and gone, there’s nothing left however to look to the season forward. Although we’re within the canine days of summer season, the beginning of coaching camp shall be right here earlier than we all know it.
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For the Buffalo Sabres, the NHL Draft and free company supplied disappointment when the fan base had been in search of an influence. The ink has dried, and we’ve a good thought of what to anticipate out of the lineup for the approaching season underneath new/outdated head coach Lindy Ruff. There are three gamers who must step up and have an important marketing campaign if the Sabres are going to exceed their expectations.
Alex Tuch (75 GP, 22 G, 37 A, 59 PTS)
On this author’s opinion, Tuch might have been the largest disappointment in a totally disappointing 2023-24 season. He had a breakout 2022-23 (as did lots of the Sabres), turning into a prime line scorer many had hoped for with 36 targets and 79 factors in 74 video games.
Tuch took a serious step again in 2023-24. He performed another recreation however managed simply 22 targets and 59 factors. His taking pictures proportion didn’t even take an enormous hit (16.5% to 11.5%). What may very well be seen, nevertheless, was a disappearing act akin to former Sabre Drew Stafford.
Like Stafford, Tuch is an influence ahead with the power to drive to the online and make an influence on the scoresheet. Although Tuch’s peak is far greater, these stretches the place he isn’t impactful are equally as irritating. He was both seen in his influence or may have been missed totally.
Tuch wants to search out his kind once more, play at 100% each single night time, and get again to being the very best proper winger the workforce has. When he’s on, Tuch is bodily, expert, and the sort of participant Buffalo can love. The workforce wants that Tuch in 2024.
Dylan Cozens (79 GP, 18 G, 29 A, 47 PTS)
Your entire hockey world was excessive on Cozens after a breakout 2022-23 season noticed him tally 31 targets and 68 factors whereas enjoying sturdy defensive hockey. Cease me in case you heard this earlier than: he regressed in 2023-24.
The massive drop in targets and factors was regarding sufficient. However what actually jumps out is a visibly-frustrated Cozens saying that the workforce performs ‘manner too delicate.’ He was proper and the workforce made a number of strikes in an effort to get higher for 2024-25, however they want Cozens to drive change.
Getting higher, nevertheless, may have largely to do with whether or not Cozens can step up and be the authentic two-way second line middle the workforce thought it had. Cozens had an impressive 2024 IIHF World Championship, and the hope is that he can parlay it right into a profitable coming season.
Mattias Samuelsson (41 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 PTS, 20:30 TOI)
With all of the love the Sabres defensive core of Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Energy, and Bowen Byram get, Samuelsson can simply be forgotten about. If the Sabres are going to be higher defensively, they want Samuelsson there offering quiet reliability on the blueline.
The issue with Samuelsson is that he can’t keep on the ice. Even throughout a really strong 2022-23 season, he performed simply 55 video games (averaging 22:11 per night time). He missed time on a number of events final season earlier than in the end being shut down for season-ending surgical procedure in February, limiting him to only 41 video games.
Samuelsson completely must be on the ice this season. Not solely will it have an effect on the Sabres returning to the playoffs, however it might spell the tip of his tenure if he can’t keep wholesome. He can eat minutes, gives sound defensive play, and provides the workforce’s sturdy skaters the power to roam with freedom. Samuelsson needs to be important to the highest 4 if he can stay wholesome.
A Make-or-Break Yr
Of all of the storylines taking place within the NHL, the Sabres quest to succeed in the playoffs for the primary time in practically 15 years shall be up there. There may be little doubt common supervisor Kevyn Adams is on the recent seat and one other season with out the playoffs seemingly means starting the rebuilding course of yet again.
If the Sabres are going to make that leap, they want Tuch, Cozens, and Samuelsson to be key contributors. All three took a step again final season, contributing to the frustration of one other spring with out playoff hockey. Different issues might want to come to fruition, too, however the Sabres want their key contributors to be a driving issue.
