Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550/WBEN) - After just missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 12 seasons this past year, the anticipation levels for the upcoming 2023-24 season of Buffalo Sabres are reaching levels not seen in several years.
While not much has really changed with this group of Sabres players since the end of last season, the hope of another year of the same young, core group of talent has many Sabres fans, as well as league pundits expecting, at the very least, a playoff berth in Buffalo.
The two most notable changes to the Sabres' make up this upcoming season is on the blue line with the additions of Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton. Both players should be able to provide some added stability, while also bringing that veteran presence to mesh with the young defensive core.
Perhaps the biggest surprise to start the 2023-24 regular season on Thursday against the New York Rangers will be the presence of 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson, who defied the odds as an 18-year-old to make the opening night roster. In his six games played during the preseason, Benson finished tied for fifth in league scoring with seven points (4+3).
Benson is eligible to play for nine games in the NHL before the Sabres will need to burn the first year of his entry-level contract. If after nine games played the Sabres want to send Benson back to juniors, he will return to the Wenatchee Wild in the Western Hockey League.
Is the 2023-24 season finally the time for Buffalo to put a run together to end their record-long postseason drought? Can the Sabres build even more upon the success they had last season in a relatively stacked Eastern Conference?
Let's take a look at five bold predictions for the upcoming season that may have a substantial impact for the Sabres:
1.) Devon Levi plays 60 games, finishes top-10 in goalie stats
It's almost unheard of for a 21-year-old rookie goalie in today's NHL to take the reins as the starting goaltender after just a small sample size of game action at the top level.
However, the Sabres truly believe they have a diamond in the rough with Levi, and it'll show on the ice this upcoming season.
After a stellar collegiate career at Northeastern University, Levi stormed onto the NHL scene at the end of the season, and nearly helped push the Sabres to a postseason berth. In his seven games played to end the 2022-23 season, Levi went 5-2-0 with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.
While those numbers may not speak volumes, he showed with his poise, composure, fluidity and reliability on-ice that he's got what it takes to be Buffalo's No. 1 goalie to start the season.
Going back to his college days with the Huskies, Levi was absolutely lights out with a 38-22-6 record over two years, a 1.90 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage. He was so dominant in net, he ended up earning the Mike Richter Award as college hockey's best goaltender for both seasons.
While the Sabres will, once again, turn to a three-goaltender approach this upcoming season, it'll be hard to take Levi out of the net, especially if he can show the NHL level is not too much for him. And if Buffalo can find a trade partner when it comes to Eric Comrie or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, that might signal their further commitment to playing Levi as much as realistically possible.
With that being said, it's possible to see Levi get the workload of a No. 1 NHL goalie, and if he can show the maturity the team clamors him for, it's possible his dominance in net translates successfully and he finishes as a top-10 goalie statistically in the league.
If that happens to be the case, lock Levi in as a Calder Trophy finalist as NHL Rookie of the Year with the likes of Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks) and Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes).
Other Calder Trophy candidates: Luke Hughes (NJD), Adam Fantilli (CBJ), Leo Carlsson (ANA), Matthew Knies (TOR), Brandt Clarke (LAK)
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2.) JJ Peterka breaks out this season with 30 goals, 60-plus points
While Peterka's first full season in the NHL last season had its ups and downs throughout the year, one could see the amount of confidence he was playing with towards the end of the regular season campaign. The German-born winger wasn't finding success offensively on the scoresheet, but looked like the NHL game wasn't too much for him by the final game.
Then when Peterka elected to take part in the IIHF World Championship representing his home nation, the 21-year-old put on a show. In his 10 games played for Germany, Peterka put up six goals and added six assists for 12 points, helping his home nation to a silver medal finish. His 12 points was also good enough to earn him Best Forward honors at the tournament.
As he gets ready for Year 2 in the NHL, Peterka already looks like he's added some strength and muscle, and has retained that same confidence he had at the end of the season and at the World Championship. If the former second-round pick of the Sabres in 2020 can get off to a great start to the season, it'll be hard to stop the train that Peterka can be.
While he won't get the chance to play with his good buddy Jack Quinn to start the year, he is slated to remain with Dylan Cozens at center, and, for now, Victor Olofsson on the right wing.
It's very possible we could see Peterka doubling his production this upcoming season, with maybe a few more goals mixed in here-and-there. He may be the No. 1 candidate on the Buffalo roster to have that "breakout season" this year.
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3.) Tage Thompson nets 60 goals, registers 110-plus points
Heading into the start of last season, many questioned whether or not Thompson can replicate the success he had towards the end of his 2021-22 campaign with the Sabres. This especially after inking a massive seven-year extension in Buffalo to be a core player going forward.
The 25-year-old blew everyone's expectations out of the water with a 47-goal, 94-point campaign last season. Had he not been injured towards the end of the year, there was little stopping Thompson from becoming the first Sabres player to register 100 points in a season since Pat LaFontaine and Alexander Mogilny during the 1992-93 season.
So now the question heading into this upcoming season is: What more is in store from Tage Thompson?
We know the skill set Thompson brings down the middle of the ice with his stick handling, his size and strength with the puck on his stick, and don't forget the cannon he possesses, especially when it comes to the power play.
Not to mention, he's set to skate on a line once again this year with Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch, who, at times last year, played as one of the best lines in the entire NHL. In terms of puck possession and offensive production, the Skinner-Thompson-Tuch line was among the best-of-the-best trios.
Barring any sort of injuries that could derail his season, it's very possible to see Thompson not just eclipse the 100-point mark in Year 6 in Buffalo, but why not exceed 50 goals? Even 60 goals, for that matter? There's a very legitimate chance Thompson can compete with the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid for the Rocket Richard Trophy for the most goals in a season.
Maybe even some consideration for the Hart Trophy, as well?
It seems like there's no ceiling for Thompson, at this point, which means we've yet to see the best from the 6-foot-6, 220-pound offensive dynamo. The 2023-24 season could be a historic one for No. 72.
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4.) Rasmus Dahlin shatters Phil Housley's single-season franchise record for points among defensemen
Fresh off signing a record-breaking contract extension with the Sabres on Monday, Dahlin is in a similar boat as Thompson heading into Year 6 in Buffalo: He's no where close to his ceiling yet.
The 23-year-old, like Thompson, was quite banged up throughout the 2022-23 season. Despite that, Dahlin was still able to put up an astonishing 73 points (15+58) from the blue line in 78 games played. That was the third-best single season point total for defensemen in franchise history.
The Swedish defenseman has continued to develop and get better every single season he takes to the ice in Buffalo. He's become one of the most elusive, and offensively gifted defenders in the NHL, while continuing to be reliable in his own end of the rink.
Many pundits around the NHL are picking Dahlin as a top-three finalist for the Norris Trophy this upcoming season as the league's best defenseman. Some are even picking him to win the award, becoming the first Sabres defenseman to earn the honor in franchise history.
The mark to beat for Dahlin is 81 points scored by Housley during the 1989-90 campaign. That's certainly a mark that's well in reach for the young Sabres defenseman, and one he can blow past completely to leave his mark as a top-three defenseman in the NHL.
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5.) Sabres to face Maple Leafs in opening round of Eastern Conference Playoffs
With the way the Atlantic Division is shaping up to start the season, it is really hard to peg how teams are going to finish.
How will the Boston Bruins fare in Year 1 post-Patrice Bergeron?
Can the Toronto Maple Leafs get consistent goaltending throughout the year?
How much will defensive injuries hinder the Panthers to start the year?
Can the Lightning remain stable without Andrei Vasilevskiy in net for a while?
How will the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators perform in another year with up-and-coming talent?
Is this the turnaround year for the Montreal Canadiens?
It's even hard to tell what this Sabres team will be able to bring to the table, and if they can actually break through to punch their tickets for the playoffs once again. However, given the return of a very similar lineup to end the 2022-23 season, plus the continued growth of young talent on the roster, the stars are aligning quite nicely for the Sabres' chances to make the playoffs.
With that said, let's see a Round 1 matchup between the second-seeded Maple Leafs and third-seeded Sabres to properly renew the Battle of the QEW.
As for how the rest of the Atlantic Division shakes out, let's say the Panthers reclaim the No. 1 spot ahead of the Maple Leafs and Sabres, followed by the Lightning, Red Wings, Bruins, Senators and Canadiens.
You read that right. After a historic 2022-23 season in Boston, perhaps the boldest prediction of this entire article is the Bruins miss the playoffs this upcoming season.
Happy hockey season to all!