Which Sabres “Breakout” Player from 2025-26 Can Grow Even More? – The Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabres

The 2025-26 NHL season was a monumental season for the Sabres as a whole. They broke their playoff drought, they laid the foundation to be a destination city for players to come to, and they had a bunch of players break out and have some stellar growth years. From the forward group up top, to the defenders who kept everything in check, there were three players in particular that were noticeable above the rest. The question is, will they all build on their success from 2025-26, or will they crumble under the pressure of new expectations?

Josh Doan Has Big Shoes To Fill

Playing in just his second full NHL season, and his first in a Sabres uniform after being a part of the JJ Peterka trade in 2025, Josh Doan truly broke out with a unique work ethic, and some rock solid numbers. From a player that was more expected to be a complimentary piece for a couple of seasons, he ended up being one of their best overall contributors, scoring 25 goals (3rd highest on the team), putting up 52 points (5th on the team), and scoring 9 power-play goals (2nd on the team). Doan found his identity with the Sabres, and rolled along into his breakout year.

He continued his success from the regular season into the playoffs, as he scored 3 goals and put up 10 points in 13 games, while also being a Plus-6. His 7 assists and 10 points were good for third on the team in the playoffs in those categories, and his Plus-6 was tied for first on the team with Zach Benson. Doan proved himself to be a reliable scorer, and a hard working player with some great depth to his game. With Alex Tuch now gone, someone will need to fill his shoes. Doan is just the right guy to do that, and it gives me confidence to say that he absolutely can.

All Eyes On Benson

Nobody on the Sabres got more attention towards the end of last season, or during the playoffs than Zach Benson. The wiry spitfire of a forward gained a reputation of being a pest on the ice, while still being able to back up everything he does with production. His slow start to the season only came due to some injury issues that bugged him, but when he was in the lineup, it was a stark difference for how the team looked with him, compared to without him. Benson was the fire that kept this team going every night.

He was tied with Doan to be the leader in plus-minus in the playoffs with a plus-6, tied with Tage Thompson in goals with 5, and led the whole team in penalty minutes from doing what he does best, with 64 minutes (42 more penalty minutes than the second highest player on the Sabres). During the regular season he still did very well, playing 65 games and putting up career highs in goals (13), assists (30), points (43), and Plus-minus (+27). Benson proved that he has been worth every minute of investment into his development, and that he is ready to become one of the best players that opponents hate to deal with. Can he do better and build on last season? Absolutely, but even if his numbers stay the same or similar, it’ll be how he plays the game that matters more than anything else.

Mattias Samuelsson Was An Anomaly

It just didn’t make any sense. A player that was seemingly being run out of town, and had a terrible season prior suddenly turns a switch and becomes one of the best overall defenders in the league last season. Prior to 2025-26, Mattias Samuelsson had never played a full NHL season, put up a total of 7 career goals, and 42 total points, all while struggling to find his footing of where he belonged in the lineup. Even after starting out the season opener being booed by the home fans for his performance the season prior, and the incident with letting Tage Thompson get hit in the head, he did not let any of that phase him. He stuck his head down, and got to work.

By the end of it all, he managed to put up a monumental season of 13 goals and 41 points, alongside a staggering plus-41; leading all Sabres in that last category, and ending up placed 7th in the entire NHL for it. Samuelsson showed that perseverance and hard work can turn things around very well, and he earned every bit of praise that came his way this season. On top of that, he was one of their most valuable defenders in the playoffs, even scoring the game winning goal for the Sabres’ first playoff game in 15 years. Can he repeat the same pace and success is the question… I think he can to a point.

They Broke Out. Now they Have To Lock In

Between Doan and Benson, they both provide a lot of fire and energy to the team to complement their production. Having both of them healthy and in the lineup is vital for this team to have the energy and drive to keep going and never give up. They set the tone of how to play, and the rest follow.

Samuelsson is meant to be more of a rock, and a steady calming pressence than a momentum shifter. He makes good plays, and uses his head to know when it is time to step up, and when to sit back and defend well. Of the three, he will likely see the most dropoff in production, but that is not to say he will be helpless or otherwise. All three are key players, and if they stay locked in on the prize, they will all have even better years in 2026-27.