Grading the Sabres ’22-’23: Forwards

So close.., but so far is what would describe this Sabres season. The youngest team in the league most certainly had it’s ups and downs, and were extremely fun to watch. The team missed the playoffs by just two points and certainly exceeded expectations throughout the year. Multiple players had career seasons, and many took strides forward. All players are worthy of a grade, and it starts with the forward group!

Forwards:

Player: Dylan Cozens 

Stats: 81GP 31G 37A 68PTS 48.57GF%

Grade: A-

Brief Summary: 

– Cozens, like many others, had a career year and it really showed. Cozens fortified the 2nd line center role, and for the most part, consistently put up results. The ‘Workhorse From Whitehorse’ was able to develop excellent chemistry on the Kids Line with the likes of JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn. The sky is the limit with 24. Fans can expect him to build off his 31 goal, 68 point season, next year.

Player: Zemgus Girgensons

Stats: 80GP 10G 8A 18PTS 42.00GF%

Grade: C+

Brief Summary:

– Girgensons was Mr. Consistent as always this season.. The ‘Lativian Locomotive’ knows his role and plays it extremely well. Girgensons consistently wins puck and board battles down low in the corners, played on the penalty kill, and his effort could never be questioned. In this circumstance, I believe his GF% isn’t the be all end all, and he had a solid defensive year. The 29 year old was top five on the team for SV% when on the ice, and it’s no coincidence. The nine year Sabre is a UFA this summer, and it will be interesting to see if management brings him back for his 10th year with the team!

Player: Jordan Greenway 

Stats (BUF only): 17GP 4G 0A 4PTS 45.83GF%

Grade: C

Brief Summary:

– The 6’6 230 pounder still has a hung jury on him after seventeen games in the 716. Before Greenway had an injury with team, he looked out of place, lost, and a step behind. With that said, the big man came back after injury, and looked like the player the Sabres were hoping for when they acquired him at the deadline. As of now, it’s a bit too soon to make a complete verdict on Greenway, but he is under contract next season with the team. Next year should give us a better idea on #12.

Player: Vinnie Hinostroza

Stats: 26GP 2G 9A 11PTS 48.28GF%

Grade: C-

Brief Summary:

– Last offseason, the winger re-signed with the Sabres, and knew he had to compete with the young guns if he wanted to be/stay in the lineup. Unfortunately for the Chicago native, this season wasn’t ideal for him. He started the year with Buffalo, was inconsistent, and found himself down with Rochester. Hinostroza handled it like a pro, would eventually be recalled, and was a lot better after February 26th. The 29 year old will likely find a new home thanks to free agency, and should be a solid bottom six winger for whatever team chooses to pick him up.

Player: Tyson Jost

Stats (BUF only): 59GP 7G 15A 22PTS 44.62G%

Grade: B

Brief Summary:

– When the Sabres claimed Tyson Jost from the Minnesota Wild on November 19th, it was a bit of a head scratcher. Little did many know, Jost was a very important piece to the Sabres near playoff run. Jost was an excellent two-way fourth line center, and provided depth and stability throughout the lineup. The 25 year old is a RFA this offseason, and it captivating to see if he returns for next season.

Player: Peyton Krebs

Stats: 74GP 9G 17A 26PTS 43.53G% 

Grade: C+

Brief Summary:

– After a solid showing in his first season as a Sabre, expectations were high for Peyton Krebs. The 2019 first rounder got off to a very slow start this season, found himself in the press box a few times, and many thought he should’ve been sent down to Rochester. Krebs responded well, as he really took good strides in his 200 foot game, and started to get on the score sheet, mainly with the linemates of Okposo and Girgensons. Although Krebs didn’t reach ideal expectations this season, he took good strides, and is in line for a possible breakout year.

Player: Casey Mittelstadt

Stats:82GP 15G 44A 59PTS 53.13G%

Grade: A-

Brief Summary:

– Casey Mittelstadt was quite a polarizing player this season. He had a very rough first thirty games or so, but after Christmas, Mittelstadt Mode was activated. The first rounder ended the year with 17 points in the last 11 games, and it will be interesting to see if the proactiveness of Kevyn Adams will give Mittelstadt an extension in the summer.

Player: Kyle Okposo

Stats: 75GP 11G 17A 28PTS 43.16G%

Grade: B-

Brief Summary:

– It seems as though Okposo’s play has somewhat continued to descend. With that being said, Okposo is still good enough to be on a NHL roster, and if he wants to come back, he will be back. The greatest impact for the captain is most certainly off the ice. The 35 year old was a rare veteran piece in the locker room, and was certainly needed. Keep and eye out to see what happens to the captain in the coming weeks and months.

Player: Victor Olofsson

Stats: 75GP 28G 12A 40PTS 50.78G%

Grade: C-

Brief Summary:

– Fans have never questioned the talent of 71, but they can and do question his consistency. Olofsson has stretches of elite finishing and goal scoring, but is extremely streaky. The Swede has had questionable 5v5 play his whole five year career, and many consider him a powerplay specialist. I personally believe that Olofsson didn’t have as bad of a season as many say, but there was a lot to be desired. There will certainly be a trade market this offseason for the twenty seven year old.

Player: JJ Peterka

Stats: 77GP 12G 20A 32PTS 47.32G%

Grade: B-

Brief Summary:

– JJ Peterka busted onto the scene in the 585 last season, and earned a difficult roster spot in training camp this offseason. Peterka most certainly had his ups and downs this season, but the speedy winger showed flashes of brilliance, and what he brings to the table. Expect the 2020 second round pick to take that next step in the fall.

Player: Jack Quinn

Stats: 75GP 14G 23A 37PTS 49.59G%

Grade: B+

Brief Summary:

– Quinn, like Peterka, was excellent in Rochester last season and a earned a tough roster spot in camp. Quinn never looked back, and as time went on, he looked at home. The Ottawa native,  still needs some work defensively, but it shouldn’t be a long term concern. The sky is the limit for 22 and it will be fascinating to what type of step he takes in his sophomore year.

Player: Jeff Skinner

Stats: 79GP 35G 47A 82PTS 63.86G%

Grade: A

Brief Summary:

– What a year it was for Skinner, as he was on a tear. #53 was on a point spree this season, and finally broke his cursed  63 point career high mark. Skinner also improved mightily defensively, as shown by his all situation G%, and continued to mesh with the likes of Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson. Is it too soon to say maybe that contract isn’t that bad…?

Player: Tage Thompson

Stats: 78GP 47G 47A 94PTS

Grade: A+

Brief Summary:

– In the past offseason, Adams extended Thompson to a 7 year, 49 million dollar contract, and much of the fanbase was skeptical that Thompson would continue his production after only one good year. Fast forward to now, and Thompson has eliminated all doubt and is on one of the best deals in the entire league. If the 6’7 center doesn’t get hurt towards the end of the season, he likely goes over 50 goals and 100 points. Truly an amazing year for Thompson, and he will look to continue that success for years to come.

Player: Alex Tuch

Stats: 74GP 36G 43A 79PTS 59.52G%

Grade: A

Brief Summary:

– Tuch is last, but certainly not least, as he had one heck of a season. The Syracuse Natives’ importance was shown in March once he got hurt. When the winger was out, the team sputtered, and in Tuch’s first game back, he potted two goals in a huge game against the Maple Leafs. You couldn’t have asked much more from the 220 pounder, as he is a culture setter and an elite top six winger.

– ***G% via Natural Stat Trick