Young guns: In Dahlin, Mittelstadt (20), Nylander (20) and Eichel (22), the Sabres have a young foundation that stands to only get better. Their American Hockey League team in Rochester is second in the North Division with 85 points (40-21-3) and boasts some impressive prospects like 21-year-old center Rasmus Asplund and 19-year-old center Matej Pekar. It should make for some interesting position battles in training camp come September.
Aggressive GM: Jason Botterill has shown he is not shy to make moves to augment Buffalo's talent base since being hired as general manager in 2017. The Sabres signed free agent goalie Carter Hutton and traded for Skinner and Sheary. Buffalo also acquired smooth-skating defenseman Brandon Montour, who has seven points (two goals, five assist) in 12 games with the Sabres, from the Anaheim Ducks before the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline. The Sabres' top priority is to sign Skinner, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Sabres also have two first-round picks for the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver on June 20-21.