Josh Doan has exceeded expectations since the Buffalo Sabres acquired him in an offseason trade with the Utah Mammoth, tallying four goals and five assists in the team’s first 13 games, but the next assignment from head coach Lindy Ruff will be his toughest test yet.
Doan is being asked to drive play on a line also featuring Peyton Krebs and Jordan Greenway.
Krebs has been one of the league’s worst offensive forwards since arriving to Buffalo as part of the blockbuster Jack Eichel deal in 2021, while Greenway has never scored more than 32 points across nine NHL seasons. Both are best suited in fourth-line roles.
They’re being asked to climb the lineup card as the Sabres attempt to overcome an endless stream of injuries to the club’s forward group. The dreadful offensive performance in Tuesday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Mammoth raised serious concerns.
If Doan can lead Krebs and Greenway to a successful performance Thursday against the St. Louis Blues, it’ll be the strongest indicator yet that he’s on a trajectory toward stardom.
The Buffalo Sabres front office can’t bury its head in the sand if the offensive struggles continue
Buffalo’s record should be far better than 5-4-4 when you consider it ranks sixth in team save percentage (.911) and it’s received impressive from secondary offensive contributors like Doan (nine points in 13 games) and Zach Benson (eight points in eight appearances).
Yet, underwhelming play from the superstar tandem of Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson combined with constant lineup changes because of injury problems has led to middling overall results.
Yes, the NHL’s point system has allowed the Sabres to keep pace in the Eastern Conference, but they need to start winning more consistently to actually break their 14-year playoff drought.
The underlying numbers suggest the offense isn’t carrying its weight. Buffalo ranks 21st in goals scored per 60 minutes (2.8) in all situations, and it’s only a modestly better 15th in expected goals scored per 60 minutes (3.2), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Last season, when the Sabres missed the playoffs by 12 points, they finished eighth in the NHL with 269 goals scored.
The Blue and Gold need to do a better job of creating high-danger chances, and their finishing must improve when they do generate those quality opportunities.
Having to move Doan, who’s been the team’s most consistent player in the early stages of the campaign, on to a line with Krebs and Greenway isn’t going to help the situation. History suggests playing with that duo will essentially sap all of his attacking production.
So, the onus is on Buffalo general manager Kevyn Adams to start working the phones in search of a trade to upgrade the top-six forward group. Trying to wait until the oft-injured Josh Norris returns (he’s out indefinitely) and hoping he’ll save the day isn’t a viable strategy.
After 13 games, it’s clear the Sabres need at least one (and perhaps two) more high-impact offensive players before they could possibly emerge as a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference.
Doan deserves linemates with far more productive track records to continue building his potential breakout season, too.