Buffalo Sabres: 5 burning questions for 2018-19 season

Here are the five burning questions facing the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the 2018-19 season.

The Buffalo Sabres have one of the most passionate fan bases in the NHL. However, fans have grown restless over the past few seasons. The Sabres have not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season. Over the past seven seasons, the Sabres rebuilding process has stalled at points and had several false starts.

The once proud franchise has struggled with its rebuild. Since their last playoff appearance, the Sabres are on their third general manager and fifth head coach.

However, there is optimism within the fanbase that the Pegula ownership group have finally got the right general manager and coach to lead the Sabres back to the playoffs. General manager Jason Botterill spent the offseason purging the roster and bringing in seven new players. The new players might not make the Sabres a playoff team, but they should fit head coach Phil Housley’s system better. At the very least, Buffalo will be more competitive. After finishing dead last, the Sabres can only go up.

Here are five questions the Sabres must answer this season.

5. What can Tage Thompson and Casey Mittelstadt do in their first full season?

The Sabres drafted Casey Mittelstadt eighth overall in 2017. After spending one season with the University of Minnesota, Mittelstadt turned pro at the end of March. Mittelstadt played in the Sabres’ final six games of the season recording five points. The former Golden Gopher immediately flashed the skill that made him the eighth overall pick. Mittelstadt combines good size with strong skating ability, incredible hands and a very fast release with his shot.

The biggest question mark for Mittelstadt in his first season with be his defensive game. The defensive demands of a center might be asking a lot for Mittelstadt, who might be shifted to the wing in his first season with the Sabres. However, if Mittelstadt can develop a stronger two-way game, the Sabres will have a strong one-two punch down the middle with Jack Eichel and Mittelstadt.

Mittelstadt turns 20 in November and should be considered one of the favorites to win the Calder this season. The Minnesota native will receive minutes on the Sabres’ top two lines and on the power-play. It is not unreasonable to expect Mittelstadt to surpass 20 goals and 50 points in his rookie season if he stays healthy the entire season.

Tage Thompson was one of the pieces Buffalo received from St. Louis for Ryan O’Reilly. Thompson made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 41 games for the Blues, scoring three goals and adding six assists. The towering 6-foot-5 Thompson was originally drafted by St. Louis with the 26th pick in 2016. Thompson is capable of playing center and right-wing and will likely play both for the Sabres throughout the season.

The Phoenix native will likely receive the majority of his playing time on the third line. However, if Thompson has a strong start to the season, he could play his way onto the top two lines. Given his large frame, Thompson could see time on the power-play, positioning himself in front of the opposing goalie. After playing in under 12 minutes a game with St. Louis last season, Thompson will likely surpass 15 minutes per game this season. Playing a full season and larger role with Buffalo this season, Thompson could score around 15 goals and finish with close to 40 points.