Adding a perennial 30-goal candidate in Jeff Skinner gives Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley an abundance of possible lineup combinations that he can roll out this coming season.
In addition to Skinner, the Sabres have several other new faces up front thanks to the acquisition of Conor Sheary and the Ryan O'Reilly blockbuster trade that brought in Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and Tage Thompson.
In the midst of a busy offseason in Buffalo, here are the Sabres' five most interesting lineup possibilities:
Option 1: Stacked 1st line
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Skinner | Jack Eichel | Sam Reinhart |
| Conor Sheary | Casey Mittelstadt | Kyle Okposo |
| Vladimir Sobotka | Patrik Berglund | Jason Pominville |
| Evan Rodrigues | Zemgus Girgensons | Tage Thompson |
Skinner, Eichel, and Reinhart would form quite the prolific top unit. All three are highly skilled, will make plays, and can finish. This leaves questions marks in the bottom nine, though.
Option 2: Top-6 balance
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Conor Sheary | Jack Eichel | Sam Reinhart |
| Jeff Skinner | Casey Mittelstadt | Kyle Okposo |
| Vladimir Sobotka | Patrik Berglund | Jason Pominville |
| Evan Rodrigues | Zemgus Girgensons | Tage Thompson |
A top-line role would be nothing out of the ordinary for Sheary, as he spent ample time in Pittsburgh flanking Sidney Crosby. This would allow Skinner to slide down to the second line, providing dynamic playmaking rookie Casey Mittelstadt with a legitimate finisher.
Option 3: Total lineup balance
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Evan Rodrigues | Jack Eichel | Sam Reinhart |
| Jeff Skinner | Casey Mittelstadt | Jason Pominville |
| Conor Sheary | Patrik Berglund | Kyle Okposo |
| Vladimir Sobotka | Zemgus Girgensons | Tage Thompson |
It may shock some to see Evan Rodrigues on the top line, but he and Eichel had great chemistry as linemates at Boston University and have played together on occasion in the NHL. Having both Sheary and Kyle Okposo on the third line creates excellent scoring depth.
Option 4: Offensive duos
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Skinner | Jack Eichel | Tage Thompson |
| Patrik Berglund | Casey Mittelstadt | Sam Reinhart |
| Conor Sheary | Vladimir Sobotka | Kyle Okposo |
| Evan Rodrigues | Zemgus Girgensons | Jason Pominville |
Each of these four lines has two offensive-minded players. Thompson and his 6-foot-5 frame would get a glorious to chance to find some of his untapped offensive potential alongside Skinner and Eichel. The versatile Berglund would be able to provide defensive support to Mittelstadt. Sobotka is probably better suited for the wing but is more than capable of centering this third line.
Option 5: Ease Mittelstadt in
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Casey Mittelstadt | Jack Eichel | Sam Reinhart |
| Jeff Skinner | Patrik Berglund | Kyle Okposo |
| Vladimir Sobotka | Tage Thompson | Conor Sheary |
| Evan Rodrigues | Zemgus Girgensons | Jason Pominville |
It's important to remember Mittelstadt is still a teenager, and it's possible he could struggle with the defensive responsibilities of a center in his first season. Starting a career on the wing isn't uncommon, and it would allow the Sabres to form an exciting top trio. Berglund, Sobotka, and Thompson are all capable of centering, but Thompson gets the call down the middle in this lineup.
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