Buffalo Sabres 2024-25 NHL Season Preview | The Hockey Writers Roundtable
Host Matthew Zator welcomes Buffalo Sabres writer Jacob Strozyk to The Hockey Writers Roundtable to preview the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season.
0:00 Intro
1:21 Forwards – Big Storylines/Burning Questions
8:11 Sabres’ Defense
11:31 Goaltending – Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen & Devon Levi
14:43 How do the Sabres stack up in the Atlantic Division?
18:27 Expectations For New (Old) Head Coach Lindy Ruff
Quick Fire
21:58 Biggest Storyline/Question Mark Going Into 2024-25
23:09 Breakout Stars
24:07 One Player That Needs to Bounce Back
24:44 Potential X-Factors
25:35 Rookie/Prospect That Could Surprise & Make the Team
26:44 Prospects to Watch
28:57 Who will lead the team in scoring (forwards & defense)?
30:21 Is Rasmus Dahlin the Next Captain of the Sabres?
31:52 Bold Prediction/Hot Take
Follow Jacob’s work – https://thehockeywriters.com/author/jstrozyk/
And the rest of the Sabres writers at THW as they preview the season in written form – https://thehockeywriters.com/tag/sabres-season-preview/
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4 Comments
Savoie became more expendable with Helenius and Lindy era but don't forget about Tullio in trade. He's interesting smart prospect and if McLeod can turn into player his brother was,under Lindy, this could be interesting but nonetheless sad to lose Savoie
I think Benson going straight on the Sabres plus Kulich & Rosen's progress with Rochester made Savoie expendable. However much we needed to improve the bottom 6 (and McLeod is an excellent addition) McLeod + Tullio are not equivalent trade value to Savoie.
The Skinner buyout was the correct decision. There are only two possible spots in the line up for him. He is either a top 6 LW or he becomes a healthy scratch, and in Lindy's system more likely the latter. I do not think Zucker is a direct Skinner replacement so replacing his scoring needs to some from the young wingers taking a collective step.
Other than balancing the left/right situation nothing needed to happen to add to the D group, the work on D was done in the Byram trade. Agree they are good enough and I think they will benefit from a Lindy system.
I am excited about the goalies. I disagree about starter backup, I would like to see 1A/1B. I am concerned about overplaying UPL (& Levi for that matter). I am worried a team like Vancouver are looking for experienced goaltending and if we waive Reimer we could lose him.
I think 5 Atlantic teams make the playoffs. Florida, Toronto & Tampa Bay plus two of Boston, Buffalo, Detroit and Montreal. I agree that Montreal's young core & prospect group scare me. Tampa & Boston are probably a year or two from being non playoff level teams.
A Ruff type coach is what was required, whether or not Lindy is the right appointment. They need an experienced coach with a system that gives more defensive accountability.
Agree with Quinn & Benson taking a step. I would also like to see Kulich make the roster. Rosen needs an injury or two to make the team. I think Helenius needs some time in Rochester before making the jump to Buffalo. Östlund probably needs a year on the farm. Komorov is the one I am not sure about but also very excited about. His form in the Q was pleasently exciting.
As for bounceback, all the top 6 bar Peterka.
The captain for me is Alex Tuch. Dahlin is probably the next in line.
Thank you for saying the butter knives need to hit more
Hosts: what player(s) would you have traded for McCloud???