Buffalo Sabres Quarter Season Report Card – The Forwards

The Sabres current record of 9-9-4 is an excellent litmus test to determine that. The team’s perfectly mediocre record seems right in line with so many of their failed seasons during the team’s – dare I say – impressive 14 year playoff drought, but for those who see the glass as half-full, the team has endured a brutal stretch of injuries and absences while still largely remaining afloat in a muddled Eastern Conference.

Even though Josh Norris, Rasmus Dahlin, Jason Zucker, Michael Kesselring, Jordan Greenway and Zach Benson have all missed big chunks of the season, the team is still very much within striking range of a playoff spot. Today we’ll take a look at the performances of the forwards and give them a grade from A+ to F-.

Is it possible to get an F- or is it just an F? We’ll answer that question and many more.

Benson, despite having only participated in nine games, has made a major impact in nearly every contest he has played, as evidenced by his nine points. He has produced those points while taking absolute beating this season – a major facial injury as well as a lower-body injury haven’t been enough to slow him down. The only factor keeping Benson from earning an “A” is the goose egg in his goal column.

Doan has been every bit as advertised since being acquired from the Utah Mammoth as part of the JJ Peterka trade. He’s a pesky, high-motor forward with good offensive upside and strong defensive tendencies. Any team in the league would have a spot for Doan on their team. Like Benson, the only thing keeping him from earning an A is a streaky offensive pace that currently has him at 15 points through 22 games. The team needs a little more offensive production from him if he wants to earn a higher grade. That said, his availability and his steady (and occasionally spectacular) play has made him perhaps the best Sabres forward this season.

Two weeks ago, Thompson may have received a D or worse. Two weeks ago, Thompson was also playing left wing because head coach Lindy Ruff was stubbornly refusing to play Thompson at center despite the team’s glaring need at center and despite the fact that Thompson produces better as a pivot. The team-USA hopeful now has seven points in his last five games while primarily playing center with Josh Doan and Alex Tuch on his wings. This is a classic case of coaching failure that has finally been rectified.

McLeod, also colloquially known as Martin Erat, has been a consistently solid player for the team this year despite being put in a tough position as a third-line center who has been asked to play an average of 17:44 a night this season. The underlying metrics suggest that his 5-on-5 offensive production should actually be higher than the 13 points he has scored in 22 games this year. Sure, it would be nice to have a bit more actual offensive production, but the numbers will come if the speedy center keeps up this play. Perhaps there is a little bit of concern that his underlying defensive metrics have fallen off from last year.

21 points in 22 games for a B- grade seems unfair. Still, there’s a nagging feeling here that the pending UFA forward has more to give on a nightly basis and his early season scoring slump came at a time when the team desperately needed an offensive spark. Tuch still has another gear he can find.

Zucker, like many of his teammates has battled through some things this year. In his case, it was a severe illness that left him unable to eat solid food for nine days. He has since returned to the lineup and his tenacious forechecking has opened up scoring opportunities for linemate Jack Quinn and Ryan McLeod. He’s been solid if unspectacular.

Kozak is a 4th line checking forward with good underlying defensive numbers and very mediocre offensive numbers (four points in 16 games). He’s doing his limited job in limited minutes.

One highlight-reel goal against Carolina isn’t enough to offset mediocre underlying advanced statistics on both the offensive and defensive side. The Sabres spent a second-round pick for a bottom-six player who isn’t all that physical. It was a beautiful goal, though.

Jason Zucker’s return has provided a spark for the former 8th-overall pick. That said, his offense still isn’t there consistently and the team desperately needs it.

Greenway has battled through numerous hernia surgeries and clearly still isn’t right. Lindy Ruff gave him the day off against Carolina and the press box is where he should stay until he’s able to get back to his best game.