1) 9-2-2
— The Sabres were the first team in the NHL to get to 20 points and finished 9-2-2 for the month of October, which is one point shy of the franchise record for October set back in 2006. Buffalo will enter November tied for second in the league in points, only behind Washington's 21 — they just so happen to visit the Capitals on Friday.
2) Getting Healthy
— The hot start listed above was done without a few of the defensive pieces from last year in the lineup. Zach Bogosian, Brandon Montour, and Lawrence Pilut: that trio has a combined zero minutes for the Sabres so far this season. Bogo is the furthest away although his nameplate is back in the locker room, which is a good sign. Brandon Montour is in line to make his debut on Friday and from practice pairings it looks like he'll line up alongside Rasmus Dahlin (yes, please!), and Pilut has four points (1+3) in five games since returning from injury for the Amerks. Once all three of these guys are healthy the Sabres will have a logjam of pretty talented players on the blue line…that leads me to #3.
3) Trade Coming?
— The main place the Sabres could use an upgrade is at their second line RW and many of the teams willing to make a trade are looking for help on defense. So, take the "problem" in #2 above and find a solution for #3. EASY PEASY, right?
4) Johansson the Steal of the Offseason
— When the Sabres inked Marcus Johansson to a two-year deal worth $9 million, it was thought to be a nice addition to one of their lines. No one guessed he'd be the #2 center the team has needed since parting ways with Ryan O'Reilly, but he's been that and more. He is currently sixth on the team in points at nine (4+5), but more importantly at 29 years old, he is a calming presence for a youthful Sabres team. The Swede is also a great puck mover and solid in his own zone, two things this group has also needed desperately. Not bad for a guy many insisted would play wing....
5) Eichel Continues To Get Better
— The captain is currently on pace for 107 points — you read that correctly. Eichel's 17 points (7+10) are seventh in the league and first on Buffalo. What he has also done even more this season has been the dude that just takes over a game. When Jack does that, Jack is nearly unstoppable.
6) Krueger's Communication
— So much was made about a coach coming in that is known as a communicator as his top trait: Would it work? Would the youngsters buy in? Will there be a learning curve? So far all those questions can be answered by the fact that they are 9-2-2, the team is a much more cohesive unit, and this is the most fun I've seen them have in the locker room or at practice, yes, even more than the 10-gamer last season.