NHL division previews: 2017-18 Atlantic Division

7th in 2017-18 Atlantic Division – Buffalo Sabres

Swapping spots from the 2016-17 season with the first team on this list, the Red Wings, isn’t a significant jump for the Sabres. But with new head coach Phil Housley in charge, a fully healthy Jack Eichel and multiple players primed for breakout years, relative to their expectations, this could be a step in the right direction for Buffalo this season.

The reason that Housley is used as a point here is due to his defensive coaching abilities, and the young defensive corps that will benefit from it in Buffalo. Rasmus Ristolainen, Marco Scandella, newly-acquired Victor Antipin, Jake McCabe, Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges and Nathan Beaulieu will be the top seven defensemen, and they will all benefit from a defensively sound mind in Housley leading them forward.

As for the possible breakout players, analytically speaking it is pointing to Evander Kane. If Kane can increase his point production a bit alongside a healthy Eichel, the top line of Eichel, Kane and a fit Kyle Okposo could lead to a solid scoring line. Sam Reinhart is another name to keep an eye on as he looks to set his place in the Sabres top six, meaning more production in the way of points.

The playoffs are still well out of the reach of the Sabres, but they are trending in the right direction. With another off-season or two like they had this year, they are a promising organization moving forward.

Player to watch in 2017-18: Sam Reinhart. A young forward with a lot of promise and upside to him. This could be his ‘breakout’ season in Buffalo.