Eichel. Ristolainen. Reinhart. No doubt the core of the Sabres’ future.
And according to researchers and producers from NHL Network, they’re each among the top 40 breakout players of the 2015-16 season.
Eichel, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, played in 81 games and had 24 goals (second among rookies) and 56 points (second among rookies) including eight power-play goals and five game-winning goals for the Sabres. He finished second on the team in scoring. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, had four two-goal games and ended the season on a five-game point streak. Eichel, 19, had a career-best four points in a 6-3 win against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 26. His play helped Buffalo improve by 12 wins and 27 points from the 2014-15 season.
Ristolainen, in his third NHL season, played in all 82 games and had nine goals, 32 assists and 41 points, all increases from 2014-15. He led Sabres defensemen in scoring and had four power-play goals. The 21-year-old led the Sabres in average total ice time (25:16), almost three minutes more than the next-closest skater (defenseman Zach Bogosian, 22:20) and had the first game-winning goal of his career. He had two multigoal games, including his first hat trick, with all three goals coming in the third period of a 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Dec. 10.
Reinhart, selected by the Sabres with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, was productive: in 79 games, the 20-year-old had 23 goals, 19 assists and 42 points. He had eight power-play goals (tied for the team lead) and three game-winners. He finished tied for third in the League in goals among rookies and eighth in points. He had three multigoal games, including his first NHL hat trick in a 4-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 10.
Here is a look at the entire list:
- Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Washington Capitals
- Artemi Panarin, F, Chicago Blackhawks
- Martin Jones, G, San Jose Sharks
- Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets
- Matt Murray, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers
- John Gibson, G, Anaheim Ducks
- Kyle Palmieri, RW, New Jersey Devils
- Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia Flyers
- Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
- Vincent Trocheck, C, Florida Panthers
- Thomas Greiss, G, New York Islanders
- Boone Jenner, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
- Petr Mrazek, G, Detroit Red Wings
- Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo Sabres
- Brayden Schenn, C, Philadelphia Flyers
- Colton Parayko, D, St. Louis Blues
- Alex Galchenyuk, C, Montreal Canadiens
- Dylan Larkin, C, Detroit Red Wings
- Tomas Hertl, C, San Jose Sharks
- Robby Fabbri, C, St. Louis Blues
- Max Domi, LW, Arizona Coyotes
- Zack Smith, C, Ottawa Senators
- Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
- Leo Komarov, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
- John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars
- J.T. Miller, C, New York Rangers
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau, C, Ottawa Senators
- Rickard Rakell, C, Anaheim Ducks
- Rasmus Ristolainen, D, Buffalo Sabres
- Ryan Spooner, C, Boston Bruins
- Victor Rask, C, Carolina Hurricanes
- Michael Stone, D, Arizona Coyotes
- Sam Reinhart, C, Buffalo Sabres
- Erik Haula, C, Minnesota Wild
- Joonas Donskoi, F, San Jose Sharks
- Anthony Duclair, F, Arizona Coyotes
- Brad Marchand, F, Boston Bruins
- Mikael Backlund, C, Calgary Flames
- Tyler Toffoli, C, Los Angeles Kings