Since the Buffalo Sabres’ acquisition of high-profile left-winger Taylor Hall, it has been all but a foregone conclusion that he’ll flank Jack Eichel on the top forward line. If that’s the case, Ralph Krueger has a handful of potential options as to who will play right-wing alongside them.

I’ll start by saying deployment will play a key role in this decision. Depending on how frequently Krueger plans to start his top group in the offensive zone, he could go in a few different directions here. He might even alter his approach on a case-by-case basis, which we’ll expand upon shortly.

Option #1: Victor Olofsson

This is probably the flashiest, and most frequently discussed option among Sabres fans. While Olofsson produced excellent offensive numbers with Eichel in his rookie season (xGF/60 rate of 2.01 at even-strength), he did so on the left side. He did play some right-wing during his time in the SHL before making the transition to North America, but his natural position is on the left.

In order to make a Hall-Eichel-Olofsson trio work, Kreuger would have to commit to deploying them in a high offensive-zone start rate. Though Eichel’s two-way skills are perhaps under-appreciated, his counterparts (particularly Olofsson) aren’t defensively impactful assets. Obviously, Olofsson’s five-on-five game did show improvement as he acclimated to the NHL level last season, but he still is far from a net-positive player in that regard.

It goes without saying that this grouping would make for an extremely high-octane offensive line. For that reason, not only would they need a high OZS rate, but they’d also need to be frequently deployed with strong defensive players on the blue line. This would of course help take some pressure off the forwards when it comes to back-checking responsibilities.

This combination is fun to think about, almost exclusively due to the offensive production potential. Another factor to consider here is if it would be wise to set Olofsson up to collect gaudy point totals beside two line-driving assets. If the Sabres do indeed give him a short-term extension in the coming weeks (via arbitration award or otherwise), perhaps running his price up with elite offensive talents beside him isn’t the most optimal approach.

Option #2: Jeff Skinner

Another natural left-winger, Skinner would present a similar problem to Olofsson as the first-line right-winger. His poor defensive ability would again, require a very aggressive offensive deployment rate. On top of the back-checking risks that come would come with this idea, Kreuger would be doubling-down on said risk by leaning heavily on his bottom-six forward group to handle a heavy defensive workload.

That’s a problem for two reasons. For starters, he doesn’t have Johan Larsson to lean on anymore. Though two-thirds of the famed “LOG Line” remains intact, he was the cornerstone of a group that handled a defensive-zone start rate of 73.4-percent over the last two seasons.

Not to knock Curtis Lazar (the heir apparent to Larsson’s spot on that line), but he isn’t as talented, and his best career metrics have come on the wing. Asking him to handle defensive minutes against opposing scoring lines could be a recipe for disaster.

As one of just a couple two-way capable centermen on the roster, Krueger may not be able to afford to have Eichel start a vast majority of his shifts in the offensive zone. He could elect to ask newly-acquired veteran pivot, Eric Staal to handle a higher rate of defensive work than he’s accustomed to, but given the complexion of the Sabres’ top-six winger group, there doesn’t seem to be an analytically viable way to do that without sacrificing a high rate of chances-against.

For that reason, players like Olofsson and Skinner would make it very difficult to attain a semblance of balance throughout the forward ranks. Playing Skinner here would almost inevitably increase his scoring totals, making his $9 million AAV contract less of a blight on the ledger.

Option #3: Sam Reinhart

I know, I know. Everyone is sick and tired of Reinhart being saddled alongside Eichel while he is clearly needed to help fortify other forward lines. Now that Cody Eakin has been brought in to presumably play center on the third-line, Reinhart’s services are almost certainly better suited away from Eichel in order to help account for Eakin’s historically poor defensive metrics.

Still, until a coach elects to separate him from Eichel, Reinhart remains a possibility on the top line. Despite the seemingly obvious need for him to flank Eakin in the spirit of lineup balance, Reinhart would the most defensively-competent option we’ve discussed so far in regard to Hall and Eichel’s line.

On top of his well-documented offensive production, he’d make the Sabres’ top unit one of, if not the best, zone-entry forward groups in the NHL. While they might take some lumps in the defensive zone, their ability to flip the ice would likely be outstanding.

As previously indicated, this move would effectively make Buffalo a “two-line team”. Front-loading a lineup like this would make for some very entertaining offensive play (and subsequently groan-inducing defensive performances), but the bottom-six would likely be over-matched with regularity.

For a team without an elite blue line or even above-average goaltending, that’s a dangerous proposition. The Sabres would immediately become a high-event team, and in reality, an antithesis of the group we saw in Kreuger’s inaugural season behind the bench.

Wild Card: Zemgus Girgensons

In the opening portion of the article, I mentioned a “situational” approach that could take place. While Girgensons isn’t necessarily an exciting pick for this spot, there is a conceivable use for him here. In a situation where the Sabres need to preserve a lead, perhaps a utility line of Hall-Eichel-Girgensons could be deployed.

Hall and Eichel would obviously be present to try and put the “final nail in the coffin”, and Girgensons could provide some defensive stability. Now, this concept could also be applied throughout an entire game, however, Krueger would be limiting the top line’s offensive potential. His xGF/60 rate of 1.77 ranked second-lowest among Sabres’ roster regulars last season at five-on-five. Defensively, however, his xGA/60 rate of 1.96 was good for third-best on the team.

Maybe a negative-impact offensive asset on the top-line is alright, especially with two talented scoring assets like Hall and Eichel. That said, Girgensons, while a fleet of foot, is devoid of any real set-up or finishing ability. Kreuger did mention him as a candidate to transition from the left-wing to the right given the Sabres’ surplus on his natural side. Whether that means he’s currently being considered for top-line duties remains to be seen.

Author’s Choice

Personally, I like the idea of a situational approach. Future contract cost implications aside, Olofsson seems like a good choice. It allows for Reinhart to assist Eakin on the third line while leaving Skinner and perhaps Dylan Cozens to ride shotgun with Staal. Though Skinner struggled sans Eichel last season, he has a history of producing alongside a variety of different centermen (with varying skill sets).

He and Staal seem like ideal linemates for a rookie like Cozens in order to set him up for success as a 20-year-old out of the WHL. It’s also worth noting that Skinner and Staal produced a positive overall xG rate in fractured minutes together when they were both members of the Carolina Hurricanes. That past rapport and familiarity is worth considering.

On a situational basis, swapping Girgensons in for Olofsson would be wise as well, if done correctly. Without going so far as to say I’m in favor of a right-wing “by committee” on the top-line, some situational flexibility could help provide more optimal results. It’ll be interesting to see what the coaching staff does with a lot more offensive talent to work with (not to mention the loss of their most defensively-talented center).

Charts courtesy of Evolving Hockey, Hockey Viz, and Charting Hockey

Advanced-Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick

Photo Credit: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images