Lysowski: Linus Ullmark. If the Sabres are to emerge as a playoff team in what’s unquestionably the top division, they’ll need a capable No. 1 goaltender. Ullmark, a 27-year-old whom Krueger has referred to as a “centerpiece” of the team, is in the final season of his contract and showed for a two-month stretch in 2019-20 that he can be the guy for Buffalo.
His .924 save percentage in 23 games from Nov. 24 until his lower-body injury last January ranked third in the NHL during that span.
Who should skate at right wing next to Eichel and Hall on the Sabres’ top line?
Harrington: Based on camp, I’m OK with Tage Thompson. He’s easily been one of the standout forwards. He’s a big body who can skate, so he won’t get left behind, and he has good hands. At the start of camp, I was all for Victor Olofsson. Nice experiment from Krueger to shuffle things and land on Thompson. Hall said Saturday he knew nothing about Thompson when camp started. He’s learning fast. Good reviews.
Lysowski: Olofsson. Sure, Thompson has been outstanding in camp and, like his teammates, I’ll be keeping an eye on the 23-year-old’s development this season. Thompson, though, is far from a finished product and has played only one NHL game since March 2019.
The Sabres likely will have Hall for only one season. Now is not the time to experiment with the top line. Olofsson can handle the assignment, as illustrated by his 20 goals as a rookie, and his lethal left-handed shot at right wing would pair nicely with the playmaking ability of Hall and Eichel.
