Each season, teams around the NHL have players who make a more significant impact than expected and are big surprises. When looking at the Buffalo Sabres’ projected lineup for the 2024-25, they have some players who could follow this trend.
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Because of this, let’s discuss three specific Sabres who could be big surprises next season.
Peyton Krebs
The expectation was that Peyton Krebs would take a step forward in his development last season. However, that did not come to fruition, as he posted just four goals and 17 points in 80 games. While it was a down year for the 2019 first-round pick, there is still time for him to hit a new level. Perhaps he will in 2024-25.
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Krebs should be entering training camp extra motivated. With the Sabres adding multiple forwards this summer, he now has plenty of competition for a bottom-six spot. While Krebs’ development has not gone as expected so far, the 23-year-old has the potential to improve his offensive game next season. Because of this, he is a player to watch incredibly closely from here.
Beck Malenstyn
The Sabres made a notable move earlier this offseason when they traded their second-round pick to the Washington Capitals for forward Beck Malenstyn. With this move, the Sabres added a young bottom-six forward who is coming off a breakout season. Now, his goal will be to build on it in Buffalo.
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While Malenstyn is more known for his immense physicality than his offense, he has the potential to be a more significant scoring threat in 2024-25. Keep in mind, last season was his first entire campaign in the NHL, so he absolutely has the potential to hit a new level in 2024-25 now that he is more adjusted.
Jason Zucker
On the first day of free agency, the Sabres signed veteran winger Jason Zucker to a one-year, $5 million contract. While he is not necessarily the big-name, top-six winger that Sabres fans hoped the team would land, he has the potential to be an excellent addition to the Atlantic Division club.
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Zucker, 32, is quietly coming off a solid 2023-24 season, posting 14 goals and 32 points in 69 games. However, he also has the potential to do more when playing in the correct role, as he had 27 goals and 48 points in 78 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins just back in 2022-23. When noting that he is expected to have a real shot of playing in Buffalo’s top six, he could surprise many by having a big year again.
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