When I started my Buffalo Sabres Player Projection series, I always intended to work from the third line up to the first line, saving Mr. Evander Kane for the final installment (at least when it comes to the skaters – I’ll get around to the goatlending soon enough).
Why?
Because, more so than any skater on the Sabres roster, Kane’s 2016-17 season will have a huge impact on whether or not the 716 sees playoff hockey come April.
See, we know what we are going to get from Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo (barring injury, of course), and we’re pretty optimistic that Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart will avoid the sophomore slump.