Buffalo’s defense has benefited from the addition of veteran Erik Johnson
Buffalo’s defense has benefited from the addition of veteran Erik Johnson
The Buffalo Sabres played their 22nd game on Monday, entering the second quarter of a season that began with the anticipation that the club would end their 12-year playoff drought. The Sabres have to be considered a disappointment at this point, with a .500 record and questions about whether a club that showed significant offensive growth but struggled to keep the puck out of their net last season can improve.
This week, we continue to break down the club position by position, today looking at the Sabres blueline.
After rumors this summer of the club looking to add a top-four veteran blueliner like Brett Pesce or Noah Hanifin (both who had one year left before becoming unrestricted free agents), the Sabres decided instead to sign veteran Erik Johnson to a one-year deal and Connor Clifton to a three-year contract.
GM Kevyn Adams opted to not expend young assets to acquire a blueliner that would have needed to be signed to an extension, choosing instead to lock up top overall picks Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power on eight-year deals.
Johnson has had a good effect on the club as a mentor and leader, playing bottom-pairing minutes and as a penalty killer. Clifton, on the other hand, has struggled to play on his off side, and has attempted to make his presence felt physically, but was suspended in October for a hit on the Devils' Nico Hischier.
The key to the Sabres having a better chance at the postseason will rely on their top four defensemen showing growth. Rasmus Dahlin has been an offensive force, leading the club’s blueliners with 18 points and the club in power-play points(6). While partnered with the defensive-minded Mattias Samuelsson, the two Swedes make up a solid top pairing.
Samuelsson might be the most important defenseman on the squad, because of how much better Dahlin is when they play together, but he takes a lot of punishment blocking shots and being physical, and he has missed three games already due to injury.
Power has shown some growing pains, partnered with either Henri Jokiharju or rookie Ryan Johnson. The 21-year-old is averaging almost 23 minutes per game and has struggled playing in high-leverage situations at times, but the last year’s Calder Trophy finalist. Jokiharju has been steady as a right-handed compliment on the second pairing, while Johnson has surprisingly stayed up in the NHL after being recalled in early November.
Grade – B-
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