Sabres 32 in 32: [Season preview | Top prospects | Fantasy breakdown]
1. How will Owen Power handle the pressure in his first full NHL season?
The No. 1 pick of the 2021 NHL Draft, Power has shown he can handle the spotlight, including when he played for Canada at the 2022 Beijing Olympics (one assist in five games). The 19-year-old defenseman should benefit from an organization that will allow him to learn from his mistakes. General manager Kevyn Adams said Power could get opportunities to gain valuable experience by playing all situations, including the power play and penalty kill.
Power joined the Sabres late last season and played eight games (three points; two goals, one assist), which should be a big help in getting acclimatized to the speed of the NHL. So too will the fact that he can pick the brain of fellow defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who understands the expectations of being selected No. 1 (2018).
"I think he's someone I'll lean on a lot," Power said.
2. Can the Craig Anderson/Eric Comrie goalie duo provide a chance to win consistently?
Anderson and Comrie are the placeholders until the goalies of the future, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, 23, and Devon Levi, 20, take over. Luukkonen played nine NHL games last season. He was 2-5-2 with a 2.74 goals-against average and .917 save percentage and could push for playing time. Levi is returning to Northeastern University.
Comrie was 10-5-1 with a 2.58 GAA, .920 save percentage and one shutout last season as Connor Hellebuyck's backup with the Winnipeg Jets and could be one of the best under-the-radar pickups in free agency. Anderson won 17 games and at 41-years-old is viewed as one of their leaders and elder statesman.
3. Can Casey Mittelstadt meet expectations?
The jury remains out on the 23-year-old forward, the No. 8 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. Mittelstadt has 80 points (33 goals, 47 assists) in 195 NHL games and has never scored more than 12 goals in one season. He had 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) last season despite being limited to 40 games because of an upper-body injury.
"I do know that he's going to be a special player for us," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "He's doing the right things right now to get to that level sooner than later."
