New Faces, New Hopes: Evaluating Offseason Changes
The Buffalo Sabres are preparing for the upcoming NHL season with new energy after a disappointing last season. For those who want free sports picks, management led by General Manager Kevyn Adams has made major changes to the roster, especially among forwards, in an attempt to stop the decline in offense that began last year. Coach Lindy Ruff was brought in at their request for more discipline and accountability within the team structure.
By acquiring Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan McLeod, Adams remade the bottom six. McLeod is expected to stabilize depth down the middle and improve PK with his elite speed. Washington Capitals’ Beck Malenstyn was also brought in, while free agents Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel fit the bill for fast, physical, relentless forechecking. They aim to make the Sabres more difficult to play against after it was noted as a deficiency last year.
Jason Zucker is the next addition who further defines Buffalo’s lineup as he is a fast and versatile forward. These are all strategic moves meant to help end a 13-year Stanley Cup Playoff drought that has gone on too long for any team. However, one question still exists: Are these changes enough?
Offensive Rebound: Can the Sabres Find Their Scoring Touch Again?
The Sabres’ offensive production took a nosedive last year, finishing 23rd in the NHL in goals scored — a far cry from their third-place finish the season before. Thompson, Tuch and Cozens all fell off their peaks, and Jeff Skinner’s buyout left a hole in the lineup.
The power play fared no better, ranking 29th for efficiency and 30th for power-play goals. That was a vaunted falloff from top-10 status the previous season that needed to be addressed. To restore life into that unit, Seth Appert is being promoted to assistant coach after years of success in the American Hockey League. His track record suggests he may have been able to breathe new life into this group.
Adams feels certain that his offense’s problems can be solved by simply sharpening up its play and being more competitive consistently enough over an extended period of time. He expects Thompson, Tuch and Cozens — who are all expected to rebound — as well as some youthful talents like breakout star JJ Peterka (28 goals) or Jack Quinn (who showed promise before getting injured).
Health is Wealth: The Importance of Samuelsson and Quinn’s Fitness
Over the last two seasons, injuries have been a constant for the Sabres and have had an overwhelming effect on their performance. Two players that have been especially hard hit are defenseman Mattias Samuelsson and forward Jack Quinn. After suffering an upper-body injury that restricted him to just 41 games last season, Samuelsson also missed some time with lower-body injuries earlier in his career. The absence of this player created a hole next to Rasmus Dahlin on the team’s top defensive pairing, which placed more pressure on both Dahlin and Owen Power.
For the Sabres to succeed, Samuelsson’s health is crucial. His ability to remain fit throughout the season will provide stability to the defense and allow the team to effectively manage the workload of its top players.
After an impressive debut season, Jack Quinn was expected to be a key player in the top six. Unfortunately, he suffered an Achilles injury during offseason workouts and later sustained a lower-body injury that limited him to only 27 games. Even so, Quinn managed to bounce back and produced 19 points in those contests. His health is essential for the Sabres not just because of what he can do offensively but also because they need him to grow as a young talent with immense upside.
Looking Ahead: Prospects for the Season
As the Buffalo Sabres prepare for the new season, a number of questions hang in the air. The offseason changes have given the team fresh energy and hope, but only time will tell if these moves will lead to success on the ice. The offense needs to bounce back and Samuelsson’s and Quinn’s health are important factors. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, wishing that this is finally the year that ends their long-standing playoff drought.
When it comes to betting on how well the Sabres do, staying updated via trustworthy Canadian online sportsbooks is key. With some new talent mixed in with returning stars, they’re looking to shift things around this season as they work towards regaining prominence in the NHL again.
