NHL.com is offering in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the Buffalo Sabres.
The Buffalo Sabers won’t be tempted by any quick fixes, even if they’ve missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 11 straight seasons.
Entering his third season as general manager, Kevyn Adams has preached a game plan of youth and development rather than opting to make waves in free agency and the trade market. The goal is to gather as much new talent as possible and use the tools within the organization to improve.
“You need patience,” Adams said. “You have to be able to be really honest and self-assess and reflect, but you have to have patience because things don’t happen overnight.”
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The Sabers are practicing what they preach. They have three players who are at least 30 years old: goalkeeper Craig Anderson41 and forward Kyle Okposo33, and Jeff Skinner, 30. To that end, coach Don Granato will methodically help develop a group of prospects and take them to the next level. The 55-year-old, who was given a temporary tag before the 2021-22 season, did so during his time with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, training future NHL players, including Toronto Maple Leafs center Leafs. Austin Matthews and the Vegas Golden Knights ahead Jack Eichel from 2013-16.
“He’s a really good teacher,” Skinner said. “The talent base continues to grow and it’s exciting to see these young guys get better and better.”
Granato’s impact could be seen on many fronts last season. Skinner scored 33 goals, 12 more than his combined total in the previous two seasons. Rasmus Dahlin, a 22-year-old defenseman, set NHL career highs in goals (13), assists (40) and points (53). Forward Tage Thompson (38 goals, 30 assists, 68 points) did the same and at 24 is still in his prime.
The Sabers chose not to make a big splash in free agency. They signed Ilya Lyubushkin to fill the need for a right back and Eric Comrie to share goaltending duties with Anderson.
“They fit our needs, but they also fit what we wanted, in people and competition,” Granato said. “We didn’t need to do much. We are an organization that I think goes month by month, week by week.
“We know we’re going to get better because of our age. We think we have the right pieces.”
Video: Top 5 Jeff Skinner plays from the 2021-22 season
There’s a lot to like.
perspectives Owen Power, a 19-year-old defenseman, and forwards Jack Quinn, 20, and JJ Peterka, 20, made their NHL debuts last season and will be given every opportunity to make the Sabers’ roster out of training camp. The idea of having two choices no. 1 quarterback, Dahlin in 2018 and Power in 2021, has created excitement in Buffalo.
“If I had any advice for [Power]I would tell him to be patient,” Dahlin said. “Defense is a tough position to play. You will not place the points immediately as you may be used to. There is a lot to learn.
“There’s no rush. There will be growing pains.”
Buffalo re-signed Victor Olofsson on a two-year, $9.5 million contract on July 13. The 27-year-old scored 20 goals last season and is part of a young attacking group with Thompson, Quinn, Dylan Cozens21, Peyton Krebs, 21, Casey Mittelstadt23, Rasmus Asplund24, Alex fabric26, and perhaps Peterka.
The Sabers had three first-round picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, and although Adams said there was a lot of interest in them from teams looking at potential trades, he stuck with the rebuilding plan. Buffalo selected three centers, Matthew Savoie (No. 9), Noah Ostlund (No. 16) and Jiri Kulich (No. 28).
Even when the Sabers finished fifth in the Atlantic Division (32-39-11), he went 14-7-3 in his last 24 games. Adams said he liked the improvement the young players showed during that run, but stressed they won’t be pushed to get a few more wins.
The focus, he said, is on the long term.
“We’re not going to be in a place where we’re going to rush anybody,” Adams said. “We’re going to let these people develop.”
