Breaking down the Sabres' 23-man roster

Kevyn Adams called JJ Peterka on Monday to inform the rookie forward he had made the NHL club. Peterka was still smiling when he met the media 24 hours later.
"I was just super, super happy," Peterka said. "I mean, that was the thing I was working for the whole summer. Yeah, to like have made the team is just an unbelievable feeling for me."
The Sabres took the ice with their 23-man roster for the first time for practice on Tuesday, offering a preview of the group that will dress for the season opener against Ottawa on Thursday.
Here's a position-by-position breakdown.

• Tickets for Thursday's opener vs. Ottawa

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Forwards (14)

Jeff Skinner - Tage Thompson - Victor Olofsson
Thompson and Skinner stuck together throughout training camp after both players exceeded 30 goals as linemates in 2021-22. Olofsson spent the final six games of last season on their right wing and tallied four even-strength assists.
"I think he's developed some chemistry with Skinner and Thompson to the point that I think it's a real good combination," Sabres coach Don Granato said.
Jack Quinn - Casey Mittelstadt - Alex Tuch
Quinn was unsatisfied with his playoffs in Rochester, which came on the heels of a dominant offensive season that earned him AHL Rookie of the Year honors. His postseason experience fueled him through a productive summer, which he parlayed into a strong training camp that won him an NHL roster spot.
His goal is continued growth.
"I think just try to keep the pattern going," he said. "Keep working on my game every day and try to become a good player in this league. It will obviously take some time, there will be some ups and downs. But I think if I keep improving my game, eventually I'll be able to get there."
Quinn begins the season alongside a pair of veterans in Mittelstadt and Tuch.
Peyton Krebs - Dylan Cozens - JJ Peterka
This is youngest trio on the NHL's youngest roster, though Cozens has shown veteran traits entering his third season with the Sabres. He and Granato have even had conversations about mentoring younger players, one of whom will be Peterka.
"I think he's gonna have a great year," said Vinnie Hinostroza, who spent time on a line with Cozens last season. "He just looks like a man out there this year. He's strong, he's making plays. Guys can't really knock him off the puck. I think it's going to be a great year for him."
Zemgus Girgensons - Rasmus Asplund - Kyle Okposo
Okposo has been cleared to play opening night after practicing Tuesday without a non-contact jersey. The newly appointed captain of the Sabres missed four days of practice with a lower-body injury.
Okposo and Girgensons - two frequent linemates through the years who play a hard-nosed, puck-hunting style - will be centered by Asplund, who spent recent seasons on the wing.
"I'm feeling pretty comfortable," Asplund said of the move to the middle. "I think I need to work a little bit more on the defensive side of it because it's a little different than playing wing, but I've been playing a lot of center growing up and I started my pro career at center. So, it is somewhere back there, I'll just need to find it a little bit more. But I think I'm making a pretty good transition here."
Anders Bjork, Vinnie Hinostroza
Hinostroza tied for the team lead with three goals during the preseason after returning to Buffalo on a one-year contract during the summer. The team made it a point to re-sign the veteran, citing his infectious work ethic and versatility. He can play on either wing and any forward line.
"It is absolutely a huge consideration when we were talking about our desire to re-sign him, to bring him back, was his ability to fit in so many different slots within a lineup, so many different positions within a lineup," Granato said.
Bjork, 26, is looking to take another step in his career after appearing in 58 games last season.
"He's in the league and that's a great spot to be in," Granato said. "You've just got to be ready for that opportunity."

Defensemen (7)

Mattias Samuelsson - Rasmus Dahlin
The two left-shot defensemen were paired together in the latter part of last season, which unlocked the Dahlin's ability to attack from his offside on the offensive end. Shot attempts were in the Sabres' favor by a count of 126-105 (54.55) when the duo shared the ice at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Owen Power - Henri Jokiharju
Power was paired with Jokiharju upon making his NHL debut in April of last season. The duo has remained together throughout camp.
Jacob Bryson - Ilya Lyubushkin
Lyubushkin is the newest member of the defense corps after signing a two-year contract during the summer. The 28-year-old is already establishing his reputation as a friendly personality off the ice and a physical, aggressive defenseman on it.
"He is a gamer," Granato said. "He competes, he competes to win, and he really, really cares about his performance for the team. He's a very team-mindset guy. Takes his job very, very seriously."

Casey Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald made his NHL debut and went on to play 36 games with Buffalo last season. He adds a unique element to the defense corps, playing a physical, hard-working game that opponents dread.
"I think have a good enough relationship with the coaches to understand exactly what my role is here," the 25-year-old said. "I think it's something that I want to further. Obviously, I want to get better this year and make big strides."

Goalies (2)

Craig AndersonEric Comrie
Anderson, 41, returns for his second season in Buffalo with the goal of continuing to serve as a veteran mentor while still earning starts in goal. He is joined by the 27-year-old Comrie, who comes to Buffalo with a chance to take a step in his career after a strong season as the backup in Winnipeg.
Comrie played two preseason road games by request, both of which were without the Sabres' full veteran lineup in front of him.
"Typically, the visiting team doesn't have as strong a lineup," Granato said. "And he phrased it that way. He goes, 'This is what I want. I would rather have a tougher game than an easier game.' So, that shows you his mentality."