It was no secret that Jason Botterill planned on altering the complexion of the
 Buffalo Sabres roster this summer, but even the most optimistic fan couldn';t
have predicted just how successful he';d be in doing so. After a 2017-18
campaign that the organization would like to forget, there was a wide range of
speculation regarding just how "far away" the team was from becoming a playoff
contender. The answer remains to be seen, but Botterill';s moves have resulted
in a new wave of enthusiasm from the blue-and-gold faithful.Jason Botterill
made good on his promise to shake-up the core of the Buffalo Sabres roster.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Similar to their situation on defense, the Sabres have a bit of a logjam at
forward, particularly in the bottom-six. With a mix of veteran acquisitions and
 homegrown talent on the roster, it will be interesting to see who steps up
during training camp to prove that they deserve a permanent role on the
team.Related - Sabres Defense: What It';ll Look Like for 2018-19Roster Locks:
Returning Sabres

Barring another transaction prior to the start of the season, there are
currently 10 forwards under contract who are all but guaranteed a spot in the
opening night lineup. Four of these players are brand new to the organization,
coming over via trade during the offseason, a tribute to Botterill';s desire to
 bring an influx of new voices and personalities into a Sabres locker room
that had reportedly grown toxic. Despite the core overhaul that has taken place
 in Western New York, there are several returning forwards who will look to
make an impact on the Sabres'; new-look roster.

Topping the list of "locks" is de facto captain, Jack Eichel. Though he hasn';t
 officially been awarded the captaincy yet, it';s only a matter of time. Along
with several others, the 21-year-old arrived in Buffalo last week to begin
skating with his teammates prior to the start of training camp.

"It says you want to be here, right?" Eichel said. "It says you want to be
around the locker room, be around the young guys that are getting ready for the
 prospects camp.

Entering his fourth season in the NHL, the former second-overall pick is ready
to lead a group of players, many of whom have never played together and will
require a strong leadership core in order to quickly build chemistry both on
and off the ice.

Joining Eichel in the top-six is his partner in crime, Sam Reinhart. Though he
is still a restricted free agent, it is expected that the Sabres will come to
terms with the 22-year-old right winger prior to the start of training camp.
The question still remains however, will Buffalo look to lock him up long-term,
 or seek out a bridge deal? After posting 34 points in 35 games to finish last
season, many feel that Reinhart has made a strong case for a long-term
contract.Sabres forward Sam Reinhart remains a restricted free agent with less
than two weeks until training camp. (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

Speaking of homegrown talent, 19-year-old Casey Mittelstadt is the current
front-runner to take over the vacancy at center that was left behind by Ryan
O';Reilly who was dealt to the St. Louis Blues this summer. Following his
collegiate campaign at the University of Minnesota, the Eden Prairie native
spent six games in Buffalo to close out the year, registering five points. Not
bad for a kid who was mercilessly bashed on social media after failing to
complete a single chin-up at the 2017 NHL Draft Combine.

Rounding out the list of returning youngsters is Evan Rodrigues. After taking a
 flier on the Boston University product following the 2014-15 season, the
Sabres must be pleased with how well he has developed. Last year he produced 25
 points in 48 games, proving that he can be an offensive catalyst in the
top-nine. For now, he';s certainly earned a permanent role with the big club.

Along with returning members of the Sabres'; young core, there are a handful of
 elder statesmen from last season who will rejoin the team in 2018-19. The most
 notable returning veteran is Kyle Okposo, a player who would like to put a
dreary 2017-18 season in the rearview. Despite finishing strong with 25 points
in 36 games to close out the season, the 30-year-old got off to a very rough
start with a pedestrian 19 points in his first 40 contests after coming back
from a very serious concussion that left him hospitalized a year ago.

With a cap hit of $6 million per year through 2022-23, Okposo has expressed his
 desire to regain the offensive prowess that earned him such a hefty
contract.Kyle Okposo hopes to regain his offensive prowess in 2018-19. (Amy
Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

"I'm not going to be happy just riding off into the sunset, I had a few good
years and whatever, I want to get back to being an elite player," he said. "I
want to help this team win and I think I'm capable of that."

Another player who plans on putting together another solid campaign before
"riding off into the sunset" is Jason Pominville. At 35 years of age, he is
currently the oldest player in the organization. Though he may no longer be one
 of the Sabres'; best 12 forwards, with a cap hit of $5.6 million, he';ll
likely spend the year as a regular in the bottom-six before becoming an
unrestricted free agent next summer.Roster Locks: The Newcomers

As previously stated, Botterill worked the phones early and often this summer
in search of offensive reinforcements for his team who finished dead-last in
the NHL with 199 goals-for in 2017-18. For the most part, fans were thrilled
with the value he acquired in comparison to the assets he parted with.

Just days before the start of free agency, it was announced that the Sabres had
 acquired Conor Sheary in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for
a fourth-round pick (defenseman Matt Hunwick also came to Buffalo as part of
the deal). A mid-round selection is a small price for a 26-year-old who
produced 58 points in 61 games in 2016-17. The team also improved their overall
 depth at the left wing position, by far the weakest link on the roster at the
time.

It remains to be seen whether Sheary lines up beside Eichel or Mittelstadt in
the top-six, but one way or another he';ll fill a position of need with scoring
 reinforcement on the wing.The Sabres acquired Conor Sheary in a deal with the
Pittsburgh Penguins in June.(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Next came what many fans across the league consider the blockbuster trade of
the summer. After months of debate regarding whether or not his leadership (or
lack thereof), was contributing to the cultural divide in Buffalo, the
organization mercifully put an end to the exhausting topic by trading Ryan
O';Reilly to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for multiple assets including two
draft picks, Tage Thompson, Vladimir Sobotka and Patrik Berglund.

At the end of last season, O';Reilly expressed how the Sabres'; struggles had
caused him to lose his "love of the game", a statement that sat poorly with the
 fan base. Regardless, his production as a consistent offensive threat paired
with his elite ability in the faceoff dot will be missed. Botterill made it
clear that changes to the core would be taking place. He had to part with
someone significant in order to light a fire under his young core. O';Reilly
was simply the odd-man-out in that regard.

Sobotka and Berglund are essentially guaranteed roster spots but it remains
unclear what their respective roles will be. Depending on whether or not Phil
Housley feels that Mittelstadt is ready to assume the second-line center role,
Berglund could find himself virtually anywhere in the bottom-nine. Lauded as a
strong locker room presence during his time with the Blues, the 30-year-old
will provide much-needed leadership regardless of where he lines up.

Sobotka is in a similar position. Both players are versatile, possessing the
ability to play both center and wing. It will be interesting to see where they
end up. Given Housley';s penchant for juggling the forward combinations, odds
are high that they';ll both see time all over the lineup.

Just when fans began to speculate that the team wouldn';t make another
offseason splash, on August 2, the Sabres made what could be considered their
most lopsided deal of the summer, acquiring Jeff Skinner from the Carolina
Hurricanes in exchange for Cliff Pu, a second-round pick in 2019, and two picks
 in 2020 (a 3rd and 6th rounder).The Sabres acquisition of Jeff Skinner
solidified the team';s top-six for 2018-19. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

As one of the Hurricanes top offensive producers over the past three seasons,
the price tag to pry Skinner out of Carolina was surprisingly low. The addition
 immediately turned the Sabres'; top-six from an area of weakness to an area of
 strength. Heading into the offseason, Botterill had absolutely nothing to work
 with on the left side after dealing Evander Kane to the San Jose Sharks at the
 trade deadline. With the Sheary and Skinner deals, he managed to part with
minimal assets in exchange for proven production.Related: Jeff Skinner and the
Sabres Whirlwind OffseasonForwards on the Fringe

Here';s where things get a little tricky. With two spots unaccounted for (three
 if you account for a healthy scratch), and up to 10 players who could
conceivably compete for them, Botterill and Housley have some difficult
decisions to make after training camp. Of those competing for jobs are three
returning veterans in Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and the recently
re-signed Scott Wilson.

As two players who have worn out their respective welcome among fans, it';s a
bit of a surprise to see both Girgensons and Larsson still with the
organization heading into training camp. Neither player has lived up to the
expectations placed on them and quite frankly, both of them could use a change
of scenery.

More likely than not, at least one of them will be a roster regular. Given his
offensive upside and overall speed, Girgensons has a slight edge, but
Larsson';s ability on the penalty-kill is something worth noting.Zemgus
Girgensons has failed to live up to his draft pedigree and could benefit from a
 change of scenery. (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

After coming over via trade during the season, Wilson was everything you could
want out of a fourth line player. There is nothing he does exceptionally well,
but Botterill brought him back for a reason. Given the current complexion of
the roster, he could serve as the ideal 13th forward.

One newcomer who could make things interesting is Tage Thompson. Botterill
spoke highly of him during a conference call with the media after the O';Reilly
 trade took place.

"One of the biggest things we like about him is his size, his reach, his
ability to protect pucks," Botterill said. "But also, we really like his hockey
 sense. He has a little bit of a shooter';s mentality and that';s what we';re
looking for.

Though he is still just 20 years of age, Thompson did spend 41 games with the
Blues last season, registering nine points. It would not be remotely surprising
 to see him start the year in a Sabres uniform. Boasting impressive size and an
 incredibly powerful release, the former first-round pick would be a breath of
fresh air in the bottom-six.Headed to Rochester

At this point, there are six more players in the organization who could
reasonably vie for a roster spot, all of whom are likely to start the season in
 the AHL with the Rochester Americans.

As one of the pieces coming back in the aforementioned Kane trade, Danny
O';Regan had an excellent AHL campaign last season with 40 points in 49 games.
At 24 years old, his NHL window is closing fast, but given the influx of talent
 the Sabres experienced this offseason, he may have to wait a little longer for
 a chance at a permanent role in the big league.Daniel O';Regan came to the
Buffalo as part of the Evander Kane deal at the trade deadline last season.
(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

One player in a very similar situation is AHL All-Star, C.J. Smith. Though he
is a year younger than O';Regan, he will also need to impress the Sabres brass
this month. At the moment, he is probably very high on the list of call-ups,
but a strong preseason could potentially vault him into a fourth line role in
Buffalo to start the year.

Former sixth-round pick Sean Malone will be high on the reserve list as well.
Though he does not boast the same offensive prowess as Smith and O';Regan, his
physical style of play paired with his ability as a penalty-killer could be
appealing to the coaching staff, especially if Larsson is sent packing before
the start of the season.

Tim Murray era prospect darlings, Justin Bailey and Nick Baptiste are two more
names who need to make this season count. Both players have spent a majority of
 the past three years in Rochester, appearing with the Sabres in spot duty as
injuries piled up. During Murray';s time as general manager, Bailey and
Baptiste were seen as future core pieces within the organization.

Neither player has been particularly impressive at the AHL level, but both were
 retained by the team on one-year, two-way deals this summer. They';ll need
very strong training camps if either of them plan on taking one of the final
roster spots. Of the two, Baptiste has the best chance to stick after appearing
 in 33 games with the big club during the second half of last season.Nick
Baptiste spent 33 games with the Sabres last season, registering six points.
(Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports)

Rounding out the list is the most polarizing prospect in the Sabres'; system,
Alex Nylander. After being selected eighth overall in the 2016 draft, the
20-year-old Swede has failed to live up to his pedigree. After two sub-par
seasons with the Amerks, fans in Buffalo have started uttering the "B" word. To
 refer to Nylander as a bust is premature at this point, but nothing he';s done
 in the AHL indicates that he';s ready to don the blue-and-gold. Another season
 in Rochester would suit him well.Projecting the Sabres'; Forward Lines

There';s a lot to process here. At the moment there are still a few preclusive
contracts on the books. For that reason, there may be one or two veterans on
the opening night roster who may not be the most desirable options. Of course,
Botterill could continue his tendency for bold personnel decisions by leaving
big chunks of salary in the press box. If he intends to contend for the
playoffs in 2018-19, he may not have a choice.

Nobody knows for sure who the Sabres have pencilled in, but it sure is fun to
speculate. Aside from the last couple of fourth-line roles, questions remain
regarding who will skate on Eichel';s left side, who will be the second-line
center, etc.First Line: Sheary - Eichel - Reinhart

A majority of fans want to see Skinner on Eichel';s left side, and for good
reason. Thinking about what those two could accomplish together is certainly
intriguing, but is it the best move in terms of scoring depth? Skinner has
proven that he can produce at a high level without an elite center. Sheary, on
the other hand, did his best work alongside Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh. His
30-point campaign last season served as evidence that he needs a strong center
in order to optimize his production.Sabres center Jack Eichel (Brad Penner-USA
TODAY Sports)

Last season, Reinhart busted the myth that he was only capable of producing
points while riding shotgun with Eichel. Regardless, with the speed that Eichel
 and Sheary bring to the table, it would be best to keep Reinhart on the top
line lieu of someone like Okposo who may not be able to keep up.Second Line:
Skinner - Mittelstadt - Okposo

Who better to aid Mittelstadt in his transition to the NHL than two proven
veterans like Skinner and Okposo? It';s important to understand that despite
the well-earned hype surrounding the collegiate standout, there will be growing
 pains as he adjusts to the professional game. Having two steady, consistent
forwards flanking him would be ideal for both his mental and physical
development.

For Okposo, having a playmaker like Mittelstadt and a sniper like Skinner on
his line could certainly help propel him back to the player he was during his
time with the New York Islanders. If he cannot regain his form with those two
as his linemates, then the Sabres are looking at an ugly albatross of a
contract over the next five years.Third Line: Rodrigues - Berglund - Thompson

Despite his heavy cap hit of $3.85 million over the next four years, Berglund
has shown that he can still produce as a 20-goal scorer in the NHL. As far as
veteran presences go, he is an excellent player to pair with Thompson until the
 youngster is ready to take on top-six duties (a development that could take
place before the end of the season). For now, a familiar face from his time in
St. Louis should aid his transition to a full-time role.

Rodrigues is the quintessential third line contributor on the left side and his
 mix of speed and playmaking ability should help catalyze his goal-scoring
linemates. Heading into a contract year, he';ll look to top the career bests in
 both goals and assists he posted last season.Fourth Line: Sobotka - Girgensons
 - Pominville

Yes, there are players in the organization who are more worthy, but at the
beginning of the year, look for Housely to lean toward his veteran depth pieces
 in lieu of younger options in Smith, Baptiste or O';Regan. All three will
likely get their chance as injuries inevitably occur, but in all likelihood,
they';ll start the year in the AHL again.The 2018-19 season will likely be
Jason Pominville';s final stint with the Sabres before becoming an unrestricted
 free agent next summer. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

In a perfect world, Sobotka would transition to a center role, an area where he
 has excelled throughout his career, particularly in the faceoff dot with a
win-rate of 56.1-percent.

In what will likely be his final season with the Sabres, Pominville will serve
as a complimentary piece on the fourth line, unless of course he is dealt
during the year. The same goes for Girgensons who must show a vast improvement
from his paltry output over the past two seasons where he registered 31 points
in 146 games.

The post Sabres Forwards: What They';ll Look Like for 2018-19 appeared first on
 The Hockey Writers.

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