3 players Buffalo Sabres should continue to move forward during the offseason – Hockey Writer – Buffalo Perak

With the Buffalo Saber season, people have been over the offseason and what they need to do is the best action right now. They need to consider the players they should add and which players they should subtract as they are expected to miss the playoffs again. Despite subtracting Dylan Cozens and adding Josh Norris to the 2025 trade deadline, they still have a lot of work to do to perfect the lineup and they still put it to the standard if they want to see any dramatic improvements. Assuming that this is indeed the ultimate goal, they are not afraid to take some action and moving these players will certainly make a difference.

Defense player Mattias Samuelsson

For some reason, Mattias Samuelsson is just not suitable in the system of head coach Lindy Ruff. His ability to play a defensive role that normally plays a physically closed role has been slaughtered, and he has not been the same type of player since former head coach Don Granato left. But whether it’s a coaching difference or just a player’s question, the debate remains the same, Samuelsson didn’t hit the contract until 2030 with a cap hit rate of $4.29 million, and he needs to move him away if he doesn’t perform like a paid defender.

His game dilemma and his injury history were the biggest issues, making him a major candidate to be moved out after the season. While he may have the best offensive season of his career with four goals and 12 points in his career, he isn’t why he’s in the roster every night. He played well many times and it was a healthy obstacle, and the fact is that defenders like Jacob Bryson and Connor Clifton beat him. Even though he currently technically pairs with Ramus Dahlin, it feels more like the last effort to retake his old “Mojo”, he still doesn’t look spectacular. All in all, the Saber needs to find an upgrade in him.

Jack Quinn, winger

It’s been a tough season for many Saber players, but it’s sometimes hard for Jack Quinn. Despite his resurrection of the conclusions of the season, his efforts to find his own games regularly contributed to his lows on the ice, regular healthy scratches and practical stealth. This does not mean that he will not be able to find his game elsewhere, nor does it mean that he is the reason for his loss. Quinn, instead, has been a player’s case, and he was asked to do it too early, which has stifled his development as a young man.

The saber needs to move among their forward groups, while other young players like Jiri Kulich and Zach Benson continue to develop well in the NHL, while Quinn is left on the road by Quinn. By transferring him to another team and bringing another lineup of players back, this will give them a better demand and make them a better hockey club. If the Saber decides to have a bigger splash in the offseason, he can also be dispatched as a good part of a big piece kit, as Quinn still has the potential for a 23-year-old to put a puck into the net. His value may not exceed the world in the trade market, but certainly some teams will be picky and have the opportunity to develop Quinn into a target scorer with the potential he has shown.

Goalkeeper Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

This may be a little hot, but the logic behind it belongs to some simple facts. The first one is Ukko-pekka Luukkonen, who was at most average throughout the season, was unable to lock in the way he had last season despite his athleticism and skills. This season he was beaten by suspicious shots. There are some decent goalkeeper options available in the free agent market in July, and there may be some other goalkeepers to trade, the Saber certainly moves Luke Kornen and replaces him with Frederik Andersen, Thatcher Demko or some others.

Then the goalkeeper stared at Luke Cornen from below, named Devon Levi. He became an absolute beast with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League this season, and if Pechez forms a competitive team in the offseason, his reasoning is to be the regular season in the NHL. If Levi continues to perform and compete at the same level, then Luukkonen may fail at his starting position soon, and it makes sense to move him to another goalkeeper before that. Goalkeepers may be a fickle thing in the NHL, but it’s been made a huge difference correctly. At the moment, Luukkonen is not the difference they need to need him, either change or move him.

Pechez’s dress is very good

If Saber hopes for some changes next season, they will not be able to recover with the exact lineup they have this season as they have in the same season as they have except for minor changes to the third and fourth lines. They need to take some core actions, and moving out of such players will not only send messages, but will also allow the general manager, whether it is Kevyn Adams or others, to do the necessary actions with good assets to add the right work. Adding Ryan McLeod at the start of the season was a great first step, and adding Norris before the deadline was another nice step (although too few), but now they need to keep on making the necessary changes to get themselves to the next level.

Related – Sabre has a lot of cleanup during the upcoming offseason

Mediocrity is not enough, and none of these players have enough abilities. It’s time to express some accountability by moving out those who don’t meet the required game standards and give some action to those willing players. If players are serious about winning, they will understand that their long-term friends are moved is not personal, and that is related to making the team better. There is no more room for failure. Get the job done, or move for someone else.