## What might the depth chart look like a week from now? Let’s sketch it out.
#### Forwards
– Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Zach Benson – Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch – JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Victor Olofsson – Zemgus Girgensons – Peyton Krebs – Kyle Okposo
Extra (1): Tyson Jost Injured: Jack Quinn, Matt Savoie
Who’s left out?
The Sabres sent Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen down to the AHL this week. While Benson grabbed hold of his opportunity and never let go, Kulich and Rosen showed some strong flashes but also looked like they will need a bit more time to round out their games. There’s nothing wrong with that, as both are still high-end prospects with plenty of potential. Rousek is left out in this scenario; he would have been a likely candidate to make the team if not for Benson’s strong showing. Since Rousek doesn’t need to clear waivers, it’s simplest from a roster-building standpoint to send him down. The Sabres waived Brett Murray on Wednesday and will wait to see if he clears before assigning him to the AHL. In my depth chart projection, Brandon Biro is on the outside looking in as well. He was terrific in the AHL when healthy last season and there’s a chance he would get claimed if the Sabres waive him. But Benson earned the spot on the opening night roster.
#### Defense
– Rasmus Dahlin – Connor Clifton – Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju – Mattias Samuelsson – Erik Johnson – Extra: Riley Stillman
Who’s left out?
Riley Stillman has earned the spot as the seventh defenseman after a strong preseason. The physical edge he can bring to the lineup is nice to have in an extra blueliner. But this is a crowded part of the depth chart, and keeping three goalies means Kale Clague and Jacob Bryson will both hit waivers while Ryan Johnson heads to the AHL. Bryson will likely clear waivers given his salary. Clague might even be ahead of him on the depth chart at this point, so the Sabres would like to keep him in the organization. But Ryan Johnson has also made this a more palatable situation. If the Sabres lose one or both of Clague and Bryson, Johnson has shown he’s ready for pro hockey. If called upon, he’s a great depth option to have in the AHL and has the potential to be a regular NHL player before too long.
1 Comment
## What might the depth chart look like a week from now? Let’s sketch it out.
#### Forwards
– Jeff Skinner – Tage Thompson – Zach Benson
– Jordan Greenway – Casey Mittelstadt – Alex Tuch
– JJ Peterka – Dylan Cozens – Victor Olofsson
– Zemgus Girgensons – Peyton Krebs – Kyle Okposo
Extra (1): Tyson Jost
Injured: Jack Quinn, Matt Savoie
Who’s left out?
The Sabres sent Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen down to the AHL this week. While Benson grabbed hold of his opportunity and never let go, Kulich and Rosen showed some strong flashes but also looked like they will need a bit more time to round out their games. There’s nothing wrong with that, as both are still high-end prospects with plenty of potential. Rousek is left out in this scenario; he would have been a likely candidate to make the team if not for Benson’s strong showing. Since Rousek doesn’t need to clear waivers, it’s simplest from a roster-building standpoint to send him down. The Sabres waived Brett Murray on Wednesday and will wait to see if he clears before assigning him to the AHL. In my depth chart projection, Brandon Biro is on the outside looking in as well. He was terrific in the AHL when healthy last season and there’s a chance he would get claimed if the Sabres waive him. But Benson earned the spot on the opening night roster.
#### Defense
– Rasmus Dahlin – Connor Clifton
– Owen Power – Henri Jokiharju
– Mattias Samuelsson – Erik Johnson
– Extra: Riley Stillman
Who’s left out?
Riley Stillman has earned the spot as the seventh defenseman after a strong preseason. The physical edge he can bring to the lineup is nice to have in an extra blueliner. But this is a crowded part of the depth chart, and keeping three goalies means Kale Clague and Jacob Bryson will both hit waivers while Ryan Johnson heads to the AHL. Bryson will likely clear waivers given his salary. Clague might even be ahead of him on the depth chart at this point, so the Sabres would like to keep him in the organization. But Ryan Johnson has also made this a more palatable situation. If the Sabres lose one or both of Clague and Bryson, Johnson has shown he’s ready for pro hockey. If called upon, he’s a great depth option to have in the AHL and has the potential to be a regular NHL player before too long.