3 Sabres’ Breakout Candidates in 2025-26

Quinn got off to a slow start last season, with five points in his first 24 games, but he finished the season strong, recording 34 points in his last 50 games. He’s shown he’s capable of being at least a half a point per game player, and with how he finished last season, I do not doubt that he can record 50-60 points this season.

Zach Benson

Zach Benson is entering his age-20 season and already has 146 career games under his belt. Last season, he put up similar offensive numbers to his rookie season; however, the one thing that I noticed in his development was his defense. According to Evolving Hockey, in 2023-24, he was in the 76th percentile in defense, and in 2024-25, he took a massive jump up to the 98th percentile. When players of his size enter the league, they usually struggle with the defensive side of the game for their first few seasons, but not Benson.

The real reason he will break out is because of his offense this season. Last season, he was very unlucky offensively, and I expect that to change this season. According to MoneyPuck, last season, he had a goals above expected of minus-7.6, which was by far the worst on the Sabres. His expected goals per 60 minutes, however, were at 0.95, which was fifth on the team. His Corsi for percentage was at 57%, tied for first on the team with none other than Thompson.

I expect this season that his hard work will finally show on the stat sheet and in the box score. With Benson expected to slot in as the first line left winger, he can record his first 20-goal season, as well as get to the 40-point mark for the first time in his career.

Jiri Kulich

Jiri Kulich is coming off his rookie season, where he recorded 15 goals and 24 points in 62 games played. With the departure of JJ Peterka over the offseason, he is expected to take on a much bigger role this season. I am projecting him to be the team’s first-line center at some point during the season. I say “at some point” because, depending on how camp goes between him and Josh Norris, I could see a world where Norris starts the season as the team’s first-line center, helping take some of the weight off Kulich’s shoulders.

Head coach Lindy Ruff has shown he already trusts Kulich, which, of course, means more playing time. More playing time means more opportunity to perform. Kulich has an incredible shot and release, which is why I have him scoring 20-plus goals this season and 45-plus points. He has all of the talent in the world; it’s just about slowly putting it together and developing into an elite goal scorer in the league.

The Sabres this season have a good amount of players who have the potential to have big seasons, outside of these three players as well. However, these three are the most likely to break out on the team. From goal scoring with Quinn and Kulich to a player who can do it all at both ends of the ice in Benson, these three will show everyone why they have a place in the NHL.