Published by hockeybuzz.com, 8-30-2020
(Note: this is the last of a multi-part series.)
The Buffalo Sabres haven't made a big splash since the days of general manager Tim Murray and Sabreland is hoping the team will do something approaching a splash this off season as they try to fill some holes in the lineup, most notably the second-line center spot.
In the year of Covid-19, a center like that just may become available. We've mentioned a couple in previous blogs and there could be more while also mentioning a young center like Dylan Strome (CHI.) Acquiring Strome or a player like Alex Kerfoot of the Toronto Maple Leafs could strengthen the top-nine but might fall just short of filling that gaping second-line pivot hole while also creating a mid-six by committee.
It's an approach Buffalo took last season, one which had some success early but faltered as the Sabres failed to make an expanded 2020 playoff field. Buffalo featured a top line of Jack Eichel centering rookie Victor Olofsson on the left and Sam Reinhart on the right and new head coach Ralph Krueger generally used this mid-six lineup until injuries set in:
Jeff Skinner - Marcus Johansson - Vladimir Sobotka
Jimmy Vesey - Casey Mittelstadt - Conor Sheary
The Sabres got off to a strong start going 9-2-2 in the month of October with a top-line doing it's thing and a second line that was having much success. However, the third line struggled and come late October, that third line was replaced minutes-wise by a strong defensive line of Johan Larsson centering Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo. By the time the Sabres returned home from Sweden after participating in the NHL's Global Series, they were in the throes of a four-game losing streak and they added to their woes by going 1-3-1 in their next five games.
What's the moral of the story?
Krueger iced a a lineup devoid of a true second line center and proper quality pieces. He got it to work early on but once injuries hit and teams started to find and exploit weaknesses, the clock struck midnight.
One would think, although we cannot say with certainty, that new Sabres GM Kevin Adams will identify and fill holes and he'll probably start by re-signing his own. The Sabres have a lot of decisions to make with five forwards set to become unrestricted free agents and another six players--including Reinhart, defenseman Brandon Montour and goalie Linus Ullmark--who are restricted free agents with arbitration rights.
No small task for Adams and Krueger, who is more than simply a coach in the organization.
As we pointed out right off the bat in this series, the Sabres have their No. 1 center in Eichel and though it's easier to find a 2-C than a top-C, it's still not an easy task. And if one can be found, the cost to acquire and/or pay them is usually high, which is why drafting and development (two areas where Buffalo has struggled mightily) is so important.
The past two drafts have brought in Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th-overall) and Dylan Cozens (2019, 7th-overall) down the middle however neither looks as if they'll be ready for a prominent role down the middle this coming season.
Cozens really blossomed in the WHL and expectations are high, but a sound NHL developmental approach is the best way to bring him along. Like most rookies, he needs to fill out his frame in order to endure and excel in the NHL and that doesn't happen overnight.
However one, or both, of Mittlestadt or Cozens may end up on the roster depending upon the camps they have and/or what the Sabres overall plan is, and that includes salary-cap related plans.
Barring a big trade, or any contract squabbles, the Sabres will have a quality left winger drop down into the middle six in either Jeff Skinner or Olofsson with the rest of the middle-six there for the taking.
If Buffalo were to land a Strome, Kerfoot, Andrew Copp (WPG) or any other top-nine/third-line center for a mid-six role they'll still need to be surrounded by better wingers than the likes of Sobotka, Evan Rodrigues, Sheary and Michael Frolik.
The Sabres have in-house options in versatile forward Marcus Johansson and winger Dominik Kahun and may get surprised by a young player, but they'll need to add talent one way or another. As mentioned before, if Buffalo was so inclined, they could throw an offer sheet at Toronto Maple Leafs winger Ilya Mikheyev as one way of adding talent. They could also go the more traditional route and attempt to sign veteran right winger Craig Smith (NSH,) or make trade pitches for a young vet like Sam Bennett (CGY) or young players like Josh Anderson (CBJ) or Jake Virtanen (VAN.)
If the Sabres really want to impact the roster this off season they'll add a legit 2-C and more quality depth in the middle six. However...However..
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