In the offseason, the Sabres bolstered their forward group, which already consists of eight regular players from last season, with veteran depth. They also have a pool of prospects who may be on the verge of advancing to the next level.

Our initial insight into how the pieces fit together will be provided by the training camp.

Here’s a breakdown of the forwards and storylines to keep an eye on as the Sabres take to the ice in the upcoming weeks.

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Returning players: Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Jordan Greenway, Peyton Krebs,* Tage Thompson, Zach Benson

Notable departures: Jeff Skinner, Tyson Jost, Victor Olofsson, Zemgus Girgensons

Offseason additions: Beck Malenstyn, Jason Zucker, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Ryan McLeod, Sam Lafferty

*Remains an unsigned restricted free agent

Storylines to watch

1) Who slots into the top six?

A number of candidates are being considered by the Sabres to fill the top-six forward role left vacant by Jeff Skinner, who had his contract bought out on June 30.

Skinner spent most of his time in the last two seasons as a left wing, playing alongside Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch. The Sabres benefitted from having JJ Peterka in that position in the previous season, as they outscored their opponents 13-5 when he was on the ice with Thompson and Tuch in a 5-on-5 situation.

Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, who is now healthy after topping all Sabres players in points per 60 minutes during a season shortened by injury, are also expected to start the year in top-six roles. This would leave one position available.

Jason Zucker, who boasts six seasons of scoring 20 or more goals, could potentially take that position, having signed a one-year contract in free agency. Jordan Greenway might provide a physical counterpart to a skilled line, alternatively, Zach Benson may progress further after participating in 71 games in the previous season at the age of 18.

Alternatively, one of the Sabres’ highly skilled forward prospects could potentially make the leap – leading us to our next narrative.

2) Which players are on the cusp of the NHL?

Let’s begin this conversation with Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen, both of whom were first-round picks and have had successful AHL seasons before turning 22. Last season, Kulich was the top scorer for the Amerks with 27 goals, while Rosen matched the team’s highest score with 50 points.

Both players have been actively improving their games. Seth Appert, promoted from Rochester head coach to Buffalo assistant coach this summer, relied on Rosen as a versatile player and praised him as one of the team’s top defensive wingers last season when he was only 21. Meanwhile, Kulich, at the age of 20, was trusted with top-line matchups as a center.

Another potential scenario could be a strong camp from 2024 first-round pick Konsta Helenius, similar to last year when Benson made the team several months after being chosen with the 13th pick. Adams portrayed the centerman as possessing a style and level of experience that could easily adapt to North American professional hockey sooner rather than later.

Helenius has participated in several seasons in Finland’s premier professional league and has faced off against NHL players at the IIHF World Championship in May.

“Adams mentioned that the player’s highly competitive nature and impressive skill set are likely to translate excellently in the National Hockey League. He admitted the unpredictability of when the player will be ready to contribute, but emphasized that his experience gained from participating in the men’s league and the World Championships will undoubtedly hasten the process.”

3) The new-look bottom six

Through the free agent signings of Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Sam Lafferty, and the trade acquisitions of Ryan McLeod and Beck Malenstyn, the Sabres have enhanced the bottom half of its forward group with speed, physicality, and defensive experience.

Last season, Aube-Kubel, Lafferty, and Malenstyn would have all been the leading hit makers among Sabres forwards. Aube-Kubel and Malenstyn, having been regular teammates with the Capitals, played a critical defensive role that included one of the highest defensive-zone usage rates in the NHL.

Meanwhile, McLeod played a significant role in an Edmonton penalty kill crucial to the team’s mid-season shift and Stanley Cup Final run. He was present on the ice for 4.20 power-play goals against per 60 minutes, marking the seventh-best in the NHL during the regular season. In the postseason, he clocked 36:43 shorthanded without being on the ice for a goal against.

All four of the previously mentioned additions – McCleod, Malenstyn, Aube-Kubel, and Lafferty – share a common trait: speed. Last season, each of them recorded top skating speeds that placed them in the 93rd percentile or higher among NHL players, as reported by NHL EDGE.

 4) Krebs’ contract

Peyton Krebs, at 23 years old, is the only remaining restricted free agent of the Sabres. He recently completed a season where he played an impressive career-high of 80 games. During this time, he further established his role as a two-way center, often playing between former veterans Zemgus Girgensons and Kyle Okposo.

Earlier in the offseason, Adams commended Krebs’ growth as a defensive centerman and suggested that he could potentially take on a more offensive role in the future.

“In June, Adams remarked, “He has displayed significant improvement in understanding the defensive aspects of the game over the past year. He’s incredibly competitive and continues to improve in various areas. His vision is excellent, and his offensive skills are undeniable. We were aware of these attributes from his previous performances before we acquired him. Now, he’s on a path to find his footing.”

“We believe he has the potential to climb higher in the lineup as a player. We envision him as a center, but we are also open to the possibility of him transitioning to the wing if necessary.”