Over previous seasons, the Buffalo Sabres have struggled to find secondary scoring through the depth of their forwards.
Jack Eichel, Jeff Skinner, and Sam Reinhart made up the majority of offensive production in the 2018-19 season with all three surpassing 60 points (Eichel finished with a team-high 82 points). However, there wasn't another forward that finished with more than 35 points.
If the Sabres are going to get a scoring boost from other offensive skaters, who will they get it from? Who has shown the promise of being that player in the preseason?
Will one of the younger players step up? Is there a veteran that can be relied on?
Fans took to Twitter for Wednesday's late night discussion to give their vote on which forward will finish fourth in points:
The young guns need to step up:
The Sabres have a lot invested in multiple young forwards. They need to see that investment pay off in 2019.
Casey Mittelstadt is only 20-years-old, but the Sabres might really need their 2017 first round pick to take a significant leap. Other young skaters have shown a lot of promise this preseason, but there is no guarantee Buffalo will get consistent scoring from them. Mittelstadt was taken eighth overall for a reason. He was drafted to be a top-six forward.
Victor Olofsson has looked the part of a sharp shooter next to Jack Eichel all preseason, and parts of the 2018-19 regular season too. In just six games last year, Olofsson scored two goals along with two assists. Four points in six games isn't too shabby.
The 24-year-old left winger looked as productive in the preseason, scoring three goals on the top line with Eichel and Reinhart.
For a lot of fans, all they can see in Tage Thompson is Ryan O'Reilly holding up the Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup. Despite a rocky start to his career in Buffalo, Thompson is young and has shown glimpses of his raw ability in the offensive zone.
He finished the preseason with two goals, including an impressive, hard, fast shot from the right blue line Wednesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Finding help from the veterans:
If the young forward aren't ready, what veteran do fans think will step up behind the "big-three" of the top-six?
Marcus Johansson was a popular choice during the discussion. Johansson is projected to be the second line center and has had multiple 20-goal seasons in the past. He also produced a strong 2019 playoff run with the Boston Bruins, posting 11 points in 22 games.
Let's hope he is kidding.
Author's choice:
The Sabres decided to move on from star forwards in O'Reilly and Evander Kane. Proven top-six players that have gone on to thrive with playoff teams in the Western Conference. It will be hard to ask the younger forwards to fill those voids but they are the ones that will need to do it.
Mittelstadt and Olofsson are the Sabres' best chances at a fourth consistent forward, and there is a lot riding on the two. After them, there aren't a lot of safe bets for offensive production. Johansson has been that guy a few times, Jimmy Vesy has scored at least 16 goals in all three NHL seasons, but Buffalo needs their investments in the younger prospects to pay off.
To participate in our late night discussions, follow us on Twitter: @WGR550
