What happened: Noah Ostlund established himself in Buffalo’s NHL lineup during his first full season. He now enters the final year of his entry-level contract with an opportunity to take on more offense.
Why it matters: Further growth would help the Sabres replace production lost during the offseason and deepen their young core. His performance could also shape Buffalo’s plans beyond his current contract.
By the numbers: Ostlund recorded 11 goals and 16 assists in 60 games last season, averaging 0.45 points per game. He also posted a plus-11 rating while averaging 13:58 of ice time.
What to watch: Training-camp deployment and early-season ice time will indicate whether Buffalo expands his offensive responsibilities.