Perhaps no fanbase has it worse across professional sports than Buffalo Sabres fans. It seems like there’s a new controversy every year. This year, it was the Bowen Byram contract dispute and the JJ Peterka trade. Last year, it was the “palm trees” debacle. The Sabres, who missed the playoffs for a 14th consecutive season, seem more lost than ever before.
Fortunately, the tide appears to be turning for the Sabres.
Jack Fraser, better known as JFresh, predicted that the Sabres will break their 14-year playoff drought with his advanced analytics model. His model, which forecasts a playoff team missing the mark this season, has the Sabres in fifth place among the division. This isn’t the only reason to be optimistic, though.
There are three big reasons why fans should feel optimistic about the Sabres this season.
Owen Power Has A Defensive Partner
At long last, former first overall pick Owen Power has a defensive partner. The Sabres acquired Michael Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth this offseason in the JJ Peterka trade. Power, who has played his career with a rotating cast of partners, appears to have a long term match now.
With Power, Kesselring, Rasmus Dahlin and Bowen Byram, the Sabres top-four looks quite formidable. It’s got a great blend of defensively responsible players and offensive catalysts that will contribute massively to the team’s goal differential.
Mattias Samuelsson, who has played up and down the lineup his whole career, looks ready to bounce back, as well. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News believes Samuelsson is a top-tier bounce-back candidate next year. “Buffalo’s group of blueliners is one of the deepest groups of defensemen in the league,” Proteau said. “But everyone on the back end has to their part, and that mean Samuelsson must put in a better effort than he did last season.”
Goaltending Ready to Bounce Back
There might not be a bigger player in need of a bounce-back season than Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. After a stellar campaign in 2023-24, Luukkonen posted an abysmal 3.20 GAA and .887 save percentage. Fortunately, improved defensive play and more consistency from the lineup should help to stabilize the ice in front of him. Luukkonen currently has four years left on his $23.75M contract.
Should Luukkonen fail to make an impact, however, the Sabres have options waiting in the wings. Newly-signed free agent Alex Lyon showed he can shoulder a bigger workload with the Detroit Red Wings. Two seasons ago, Lyon played 44 games for the Red Wings, posting a 21-18 record with a .904 save percentage.
If the Sabres want to elect for a third option, however, they’ve got a some extra help waiting in the wings. Devon Levi, acquired in 2021, looks ready to take on a much bigger burden with the Sabres. He played in limited starts last year, posting a 2-7 record and a 4.12 GAA. The Lyon signing suggests that he’ll start the season in the AHL, but, if he can make a name for himself, there’s a chance he’ll earn a role at the NHL level soon.
Two Big Reasons to be Optimistic About the Sabres