For the first time in several years, there is optimism around the Buffalo Sabres. Here's a guess what l..."/> For the first time in several years, there is optimism around the Buffalo Sabres. Here's a guess what l..."/>

Buffalo Sabres: Full line combination predictions for 2018-19

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 2: Casey Mittelstadt
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 2: Casey Mittelstadt /
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BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 28: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, from Lidköping Sweden (26) during the 2018 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp on June 28, 2018, at HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 28: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, from Lidköping Sweden (26) during the 2018 Buffalo Sabres Development Camp on June 28, 2018, at HarborCenter in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defensive Pairings

First pairing: LD – Marco Scandella, RD – Rasmus Ristolainen

Second pairing: LD – Rasmus Dahlin, RD –  Zach Bogosian

Third pairing: LD – Jake McCabe, RD – Nathan Beaulieu

7th D-man: Matt Hunwick – Casey Nelson

All eyes this season will be on Rasmus Dahlin. The Swedish defenseman is considered to be a generational talent who has the ability to transcend a franchise’s fortunes. Over the past 20 years, only two other defencemen have been drafted first overall, Erik Johnson and Aaron Ekblad. The Sabres would be wise to protect Dahlin and ease him into the NHL, giving him a large percentage of offensive zone starts and play him against weaker lines. As the season progresses, assuming Dahlin has proved himself against lower competition, the Sabres can increase Dahlin’s minutes and play him against opposing top lines.

The Sabres would be wise to play Dahlin with a veteran defenseman like Zach Bogosian. The 28-year-old had his season ended prematurely last season and required surgery. Bogosian was drafted third overall in 2008 but has never reached his potential and likely never will because of injuries. The only season that Bogosian has come close to playing every game of the season was his second season when he played 81 games. In every other season, Bogosian has played in less than 72 games. Over the past three seasons, Bogosian has played in 138 of a possible 246 games, and only 18 games last season. The Sabres badly need Bogosian to stay healthy, especially since they are paying him over $5 million.

The Sabres top pairing will likely be Marco Scandella and Rasmus Ristolainen. Scandella will never be a flashy player or put up big offensive numbers but he is a dependable defender and rarely makes mistakes. Trading for Scandella was one of Botterill’s first moves after he was hired and it is looking like a great trade.

Ristolainen might be one of the players that opinions are divided on the most. The analytic community loves to pick apart the Finnish defenseman for his poor five on five numbers, viewing him as a bottom pairing player. However, the traditional scouting community values the skills that Ristolainen possesses and view him as a top pairing defenseman. While the truth is likely somewhere in between. The Sabres have done little to help Ristolainen. Over the past three seasons, Ristolainen has been overplayed, logging over 25 minutes per game, often against the opposing top lines. If the Sabres are able to reduce Ristolainen’s ice time by a few minutes a game, they will hopefully see the rest of his game improve.

The Sabres last pairing will be a competition between four players, Jake McCabe, Nathan Beaulieu, Matt Hunwick and Casey Nelson. McCabe and Beaulieu have the highest pedigree and will be given the first chance to nail down a regular position. However, both players struggled last season and will have to show signs of improvement. McCabe underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last season but should be ready for the start of the season. Hunwick is a dependable player but at 33-years-old, has likely already played his best hockey. Nelson came up at the end of last season and exceeded expectations, earning a contract extension. While Nelson is eligible to play in the AHL, Nelson’s right shot might give him a leg up in the competition. The Sabres do not have many right-hand defenseman. The only other right shots on the Sabres’ blue line are Bogosian and Ristolainen.