The Buffalo Sabres need to add heavy skill this summer

The 2023-24 season was a disappointing one for the Buffalo Sabres, a team that went in with playoff expectations but fell short, going 39-37-6 with 84 points, eight points behind the No. 2 Wild Card spot.

The team didn’t produce much offense, with forward Alex Tuch and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin leading the team in points with 59. Right behind them was Tage Thompson with 56, and after John Peterka, no other player could hit the 50-point mark.

As they head into the offseason, the question becomes: do they try to add more skill and goal scoring? Or is an alternative approach to building a lineup what’s in the cards for a Sabres squad with plenty of potential, but few results?

On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL defenseman Colby Cohen discuss the Sabres’ 2023-24 season and where they see the club going this summer.

Tyler Yaremchuk: One team that I do think is interesting is the Buffalo Sabres. When Frank Seravalli and I discuss the Detroit Red Wings during our Monday edition of the show, we thought they needed to add one more good forward and veteran defenseman, and I honestly think Buffalo is in the same boat.

They have $23 million to spend a couple spots they obviously need to upgrade. I think what General Manager Kevyn Adams needs to do is shop for the best available forward — center, left or right wing — just go out and add skill.

Colby Cohen: Listen, they need skill but they need heavy skill. We’re looking at the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the the successful teams have heavy players. We’re seeing the heaviness of the Florida Panthers’ bottom-six thriving.

Buffalo has guys who can skate and who can shoot, but they need heavy players who can be physical, lean on their stick and know how to go against the best players in the world.

You can listen to the full segment and the rest of the episode here…