The Buffalo Sabres lack high-end star power outside of forward Tage Thompson and defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, so it was surprising when the franchise landed three players on ESPN's annual ranking of the NHL's top 100 players.
The list, which was released Tuesday amid the early stages of the 2025-26 season, featured Thompson at No. 30 and Dahlin at No. 60, which is far too low. The Sabres captain was ranked No. 37 last season and probably deserved to move up, not down.
Regardless, the biggest shock was seeing one more Buffalo player crack the top 100: oft-injured center Josh Norris at No.