Buffalo Sabres focused on youth during another disastrous season
By Paul Taylor
A couple of first rounders fulfilling their potential
Another player offering plenty of optimism for the Buffalo Sabres, is Dylan Cozens. Drafted seventh overall in 2019, he showed plenty of promise during his debut season in the NHL.
Now in just his second season at the top level, Cozens is using his excellent skill and superior spreed to prove he definitely belongs. At the time of posting, he is fifth on the team with 27 points (12 goals and 15 assists).
As with Thompson, the 21-year-old still has more to learn, including his off-the-puck game. Overall though, his development is encouraging and something to keep an eye on.
It seems only fair to note how well Rasmus Dahlin has played this season. Voted to his first NHL All-Star Game this season, he leads the Sabres in assists and is third in overall points.
Despite the struggles of the Sabres as a whole, Dahlin is having his best year yet. He is an elite level talent with a superior hockey IQ, who is really beginning to embrace his role as a leader on the blue line
Understandably, critics will state this is the least which should be expected of a player who was selected first overall in the 2018 draft. Regardless, he is a cornerstone piece for the Sabres, who at the age of 21 still hasn’t reached his peak.
On the subject of first overall draft picks, Owen Power should hopefully make his NHL debut at some point this season for the Sabres. Certainly, it will be interesting to see what the 6 ft 6 blue-liner can do in his first exposure versus the best the league has to offer.