Brought in as a result of the Ryan O\u2019Reilly trade in 2018<\/a>, Thompson has become a star. In his last four seasons, he has 158 goals, including a 47-goal 2022-23 campaign. After scoring 44 goals last season, many feel like Thompson will finally cross the vaunted 50-goal threshold.<\/p>\n Canada \u2013 Ryan McLeod<\/p>\n This is another tight race, and one could argue that defenseman Bowen Byram<\/a> is the best player from the Great White North. Ryan McLeod, brought in thanks to a summer trade<\/a> for prospect Matt Savoie last year, excelled in his first season in Buffalo.<\/p>\n Related: Sabres Winger Jack Quinn Needs to Seize a Top-Six Role<\/a><\/p>\n McLeod set career highs across the board \u2013 20 goals, 33 assists, 53 points, 28 even-strength points, three shorthanded goals, 52.3 faceoff percentage. More importantly, he finally provided the Sabres with a viable two-way threat in the middle of the lineup. He will be counted on heavily as the Sabres attempt to get back into the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons.<\/p>\n Sweden \u2013 Rasmus Dahlin<\/p>\n In all technicalities, Rasmus Dahlin is the only Swede on the roster. Mattias Samuelsson has the heritage, but he was born in New Jersey. Even if there were 100 Swedes on the roster, it is likely that Dahlin would be the best of the bunch.<\/p>\n Dahlin is a superstar defenseman in every sense and makes the Sabres\u2019 defense better as a whole<\/a>. He has been one of the lone bright spots for the Sabres in recent years, and some even have him poised to claim his first Norris Trophy as soon as this season. Dahlin is every bit the franchise defender the Sabres hoped he would be when they selected him first overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.<\/p>\n Finland \u2013 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen<\/p>\n Like Dahlin, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is here on a technicality, given that he is the only Finn on the Sabres roster. Unlike Dahlin, Luukkonen \u2013 affectionately known as UPL \u2013 still has a lot to prove. His breakout 2023-24 season showed what he could be, but a step backward in 2024-25 leaves many wondering.<\/p>\n Luukkonen is still the No. 1 goaltender, but how long that will be remains to be seen. With Devon Levi progressing in the American Hockey League (AHL), Luukkonen will need to regain his form if he hopes to hold off the promising youngster. A bounce back from Luukkonen would also go a long way toward getting the Sabres back into the playoffs.<\/p>\n Interesting Roster Notes<\/p>\n Across the NHL, we are seeing greater diversity than ever before. Rosters used to be dominated by Canadians, with a smattering of other nations filling out the rest. Looking at the Sabres, however, the gap has closed. The Sabres have 10 Canadians as well as 10 Americans in their group, with a lone Finn and Swede to complement them.<\/p>\n The Sabres also have a noteworthy history when it comes to European players making an impact. Mogilny, Dominik Hasek, Thomas Vanek, Alexei Zhitnik, and Miroslav Satan are just a few of the more notable European Sabres to leave a mark on the franchise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"Ukko-Pekka](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ukko-Pekka-Luukkonen-Sabres-1200x900.jpg\")
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n![\"Substack](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Substack_Banner_BUF-1200x122.jpg\")
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