Buffalo Sabres: Full line combination predictions for 2018-19
By Adam Stocker
Bottom 6
Third line: LW-Vladimir Sobotka, C- Patrik Berglund, RW- Jason Pominville
The third line features two of the players Buffalo acquired from St. Louis as part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade and longtime Sabre Jason Pominville. The line is far from flashy but it is professional and dependable. For a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in seven years, those are qualities the Sabres have not had. All three players can play in almost any scenario and can adapt to what they need to do. Each player on the third line will likely finish with more than 10 goals and 30 points but are unlikely to surpass 40 points.
The biggest downside to the third line is the players’ ages and their salaries. All three players are over 30 years old and that limits the upside of the line. The three players combine to count $12.95 million against the cap this season. While not a major problem, it is a lot to be paying a league average or perhaps a below average third line.
Fourth line: LW-Scott Wilson, C- Zemgus Girgensons, RW- Tage Thompson
Extra skaters: Johan Larsson, Evan Rodriguez
The fourth line features Zemgus Girgensons centering Scott Wilson and Tage Thompson. The fourth line will likely play around 10 minutes a game and be used to match up against one of the top two lines on opposing teams.
It’s hard to believe that a few years ago, Girgensons was an all-star and considered untouchable. A lot changes in four years. Girgensons’ game has not grown. He is very much the same player he has been since he was voted an all-star thanks to his native Latvia. Girgensons’ offensive game looks like it will never develop. However, he still has the ability to be shutdown center, capable of matching up against opposing scoring lines. Wilson is far from a flashy player but he knows his role and plays it well. The Sabres could do worse than Wilson but could also upgrade upon him.
Thompson is the most interesting player in the bottom six. The former first-round pick was also part of the O’Reilly trade. Capable of playing both center and wing, Thompson will have to work his earn his playing time. Thompson has the skill and size to earn himself more playing time. It would not be that surprising to see Thompson start the season on the fourth line but finish the second playing alongside Mittelstadt on the second line.
Should the Sabres suffer any injuries, Johan Larsson and Evan Rodriguez will likely get into the lineup. Larsson was awful last season. The Swedish forward recorded 17 points in 80 games last season but took too many lazy penalties. However, after a strong showing at the World Championships, there might still be hope for the 25-year-old Larsson. Rodriguez was signed in part because he was a buddy of Eichel’s at Boston University. The 24-year-old has outgrown the label of Eichel’s friend and was one of Buffalo’s better forward towards the end of last season. In 48 games, Rodriguez recorded 25 points, making him the eighth highest scorer on the team last season.