Sabres season preview: Dahlin heads revamped roster

The 2018-19 NHL season begins Oct. 3. With training camps open, NHL.com is taking a look at the five keys, the inside scoop on roster questions, and the projected lines for all 31 teams. Today, the Buffalo Sabres.

Coach: Phil Housley (second season)
Last season:25-45-12; eighth place Atlantic Division
RELATED: [Complete Season Preview coverage]

5 KEYS

1. Dahlin's impact

Rasmus Dahlin, chosen with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, is expected to be a top-four defenseman and contribute at even strength and on the power play from the start of the season. The 18-year-old appears well-equipped to handle the pressure. He has dominated players his age and excelled playing the past two seasons against men in the Swedish Hockey League.

2. Change in net

Carter Hutton, 32, will be a No. 1 NHL goaltender for the first time this season after agreeing to a three-year, $8.25 million contract (average annual value $2.75 million) on July 1. He replaces Robin Lehner, who signed with the New York Islanders as a free agent. Among goaltenders to play at least 30 games last season, Hutton led the NHL in goals-against average (2.09) and save percentage (.931) in 32 games with the St. Louis Blues. That was the second-most games he has played in six NHL seasons, but Sabres general manager Jason Botterill is confident Hutton can handle the increase in playing time and pressure.
"We were very impressed with Carter's work ethic and his consistency as goalie," Botterill said. "Not only last year but over the last couple years. We think he's ready to get that opportunity and run with it."

3. Influx of offense

The Sabres' 198 goals last season were the fewest in the NHL, but scoring should come a bit easier this season with the additions of forwards Jeff Skinner, Conor Sheary and Patrik Berglund. Skinner, acquired in a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes on Aug. 2, is a three-time 30-goal scorer who could play left wing on the top line with center Jack Eichel. Sheary, acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 27, scored 41 goals the past two seasons. Berglund, part of the return from the St. Louis Blues in the Ryan O'Reilly trade July 1, has three 20-goal seasons in the NHL.

4. Mittelstadt at second-line center

Casey Mittelstadt had five points (one goal, four assists) in the final six games last season after signing his entry-level contract March 26. Now the 19-year-old will have the first shot at replacing O'Reilly as second-line center.
"A year ago he's playing public high school hockey (Eden Prairie High in Minnesota), and now he's got a year of college hockey under his belt and a couple NHL games," Sabres assistant GM Steve Greeley said during development camp. "I think … the Casey we're seeing now is more mature, more refined in terms of trying to become an everyday great National Hockey League player."

5. Winning at home

The Sabres won 11 home games last season, fewest in the NHL, and haven't won more than half their home games in a season since 2011-12, when they won 21 of 41. Three teams in the past five seasons have reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs with fewer than 21 home wins: the San Jose Sharks with 18 in 2015-16, the Detroit Red Wings with 18 in 2013-14 and the New York Rangers with 20 in 2013-14.

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut

Defenseman Brendan Guhle, 21, could push for a top-six spot this season. Last season, his first as a professional, he had five assists and averaged 18:06 of ice time in 18 NHL games. He has an offensive game the Sabres would like to add to their defenseman group. "He brings an element to our back end there just with his speed," Botterill said. "Nowadays in the National Hockey League, teams backchecking so much, so hard, the back pressure, you have to have your defensemen be able to create offense, and he certainly brings that dynamic there."

Most intriguing addition

Lawrence Pilut, voted the best defenseman in the Swedish Hockey League last season, signed a two-year, entry-level contract May 15 and will have a chance to make the NHL roster this season. The 22-year-old led SHL defensemen with 30 assists and 38 points last season, and his eight goals were second. Last season, Buffalo finished last in the NHL in goals (19) and points (113) by defensemen.

Biggest potential surprise

Center Tage Thompson, acquired from the Blues with Berglund and center Vladimir Sobotka in the O'Reilly trade, has the size (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) to have a big impact. The 20-year-old turned pro last season and had nine points (three goals, six assists) in 41 games with the Blues and 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 30 games with San Antonio of the American Hockey League. He could slide to the wing to stay in Buffalo as a top-nine forward and also could provide a strong net-front presence on the power play.

Ready to break through

Alexander Nylander, the No. 8 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, scored his first NHL goal last season. His development hasn't gone as quickly as hoped, but the 20-year-old forward has two full seasons of pro experience in North America and could be ready to take a top-nine spot this season.

PROJECTED LINEUP

Jeff Skinner -- Jack Eichel -- Sam Reinhart
Conor Sheary -- Casey Mittelstadt -- Kyle Okposo
Evan Rodrigues -- Patrik Berglund -- Jason Pominville
Vladimir Sobotka -- Zemgus Girgensons -- Tage Thompson
Marco Scandella -- Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin -- Zach Bogosian
Brendan Guhle -- Jake McCabe
Carter Hutton
Linus Ullmark