A million times have been said, but this is a crucial season for the Buffalo Sabres. Missing the play -offs 14 seasons in a row will certainly reinforce the feeling of urgency that confronts a franchise. Unfortunately for the Sabres they have many questions and headlines to manage.
The time to look ahead to clear prospects has passed. It is now time for them to deliver the potential that has been talked about for years, and for the Sabres to get over the bump. Unfortunately, they count on too many strangers to produce positive results.
Jiri Kulich and Zach Benson become legitimate top six offensive contributors
If this year was five of a rebuild instead of year 15, the situation with Jiri Kulich and Zach Benson would be much more sustainable. As it looks now, the Sabes count on a few players who are 21 and 20 years old respectively to play larger roles and produce at a top-six level.
Kulich flashed promise as Rookie in 2024-25. He has an excellent speed and a high -level shot that makes it dangerous everywhere on the ice. His 15 goals such as Rookie were modest, but the potential was there. Ask him to become a legitimate second -line center? That can be a big question.
Speaking of ‘Big asks’, let’s talk about Benson. Benson is only 20 years old, but has two full NHL seasons under his belt. The figures-10 goals, 28 points do not indicate that he must play in a top-six role. But his game together with Tage Thompson on the top line last season showed that he is a playriver. He should grow, but can he become a player of more than 70 points?
Make no mistake: both players can and must see considerable growth. That said, they both need the Sabres to produce somewhere in the 20-30 target range, as well as 65-plus points. Is that realistic? Not if you are planning to make the play -offs, it is not.
Josh Norris remains healthy
A quick glance at the Sabres schedule and you will notice it in particular: a striking hole in the middle. There is potential, as we have spoken with Kulich, but what are the chance that the potential will make its full value? Josh Norris is perhaps a greater risk because of his proven track record.
He was on the ice in the second season of the Sabres of the Year and achieved an assist in a 2-1 victory. But the story wrapped in a gigantic, blood -red flag is that he cannot stay on the ice. And historically that is definitely the truth. He was suitable for Only three games After he was traded to the Sabres last season, there is another campaign in which he did not register in at least 60 games.
Related: take -away restaurants of the dominant pre -season opener of the Sabres
When he is on the ice, Norris is responsible at both ends, offers a good mix of speed and scoring and can be a real number one center. But “if he can stay on the ice” must be emphasized, italics and underlined. If the Sabres can get more than 70 games from Norris, this would be a huge victory and help offer stability in their top line.
A rebound from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
It is no secret that the target of the Sabres was Dicey last season. Although James Reimer had a strong push, it was another example of “too little, too late” in terms of play -off implications.
The biggest problem in the net was to do with the regression of “UPL”, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. After a breakout 2023-24 season, UPL took a noticeable step back when his .910 savings percentage dropped to .887, while his goals against average balloon from 2.57 to 3.20.
The Sabres gave Luukkonen a large contract extension and hopes that he can be ‘the man’ in the coming seasons. If the Sabres have the hope to finally reach the play-offs, they need the 2023-24 Luukkonen, not the frustrating inconsistente of last season.
Michael Kesselring Fixing Owen Power
Let’s take a step back and actually concentrate on a positive: the JJ Peterka Handel. Although it is never ideal to exchange a young player with a season of 30 goals under their belt, the Sabres got a surprisingly good return. The most important point of attention for trade is defender Michael Kesselring.
The Sabres defense has a lot of high-level talent that came through the NHL concept, the 2021 for the first time to choose Owen Power is the last. He has potentially flashed the offensive, but has regularly struggled in his own end. The message of the fan base has been clear: find him a partner who can unlock his game.
Kesselring is supposed to be that guy. Kesselring, a large, mobile physical, right-handed defender, emerged last season as a legitimate top-four talent for the Utah Hockey Club (now Mammoth). He is going to be counted on to give the power to free the wheel and to thrive offensively.
Of everything the Sabres need to get better, this feels the most likely. With Rasmus Dahlin and Bowen Byram as the top pair, hope is very high for the Power-Kesselring pairs. If the latter can help unlock the first, the trade in Peterka can actually look beneficial for the long term in the long term.
An unfair situation
In reality, this is an unfair situation for the players. The management is responsible for digging this 15-year-old hole, but the current selection is charged with getting it out. There is a lot to be found in the composition of this selection, but it feels like they need a season to come together.
Unfortunately, the Sabres cannot look ahead to the next season. They have to make the play -offs this season or the entire staff is shown the door. The Sabres have a lot of good young talent and pieces for a successful team, but it is unfair to expect that they all come together so quickly.
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