Jake McCabe

McCabe's not a big scorer on the blue line with just 61 points in 274 career games, but he's a dependable option who averaged almost 19 minutes of ice time per game last season. Players like McCabe have more real-life value than fantasy value, especially since he's a run-of-the-mill source of both blocks and hits, averaging around 100 of each per season. McCabe also has a minus-19 career rating, but at least that number could improve if the Sabres finally flip the switch to contention.

Shoulder surgery cut his season short but McCabe has solidified himself as a legitimate NHL player over the past three seasons and also dazzled with his big hits and ability to jump up on offense. His 47 points in 215 career games seem low, but there's no denying McCabe can cover up his lack of skill with his athleticism. The Sabres blue line can feel pretty crowded when everyone is healthy, but that doesn't happen very often. McCabe will need to work hard to get back into the lineup after missing a good chunk of time, and he should easily improve on his 12 points in 53 games from last year while playing on the team's bottom two pairs.

Many young defensemen take a step back in their second year, but that wasn't the case for McCabe, who was a reliable and consistent top-four member for Buffalo all season, playing in all situations and scoring 20 points in 76 games while averaging 20:42 of ice time. The 23-year-old’s two-way ability and willingness to throw his body around make him an invaluable member of the Sabres’ young core, and he’s expected to join Rasmus Ristolainen on the top pairing, where he played much of last season. McCabe’s role may be diminished by the acquisitions of Nathan Beaulieu and Marco Scandella, but his all-around game will assure him of a significant role in the lineup, and his numbers should tick up a bit as he and the other young Sabres continue to develop.

McCabe secured a regular role with Buffalo in just his second season in the pros, appearing in 77 games and scoring four goals and 14 assists. A two-way defenseman with a penchant for clutch goals and big hits, McCabe averaged 19 minutes per game, including 1:24 on the penalty kill, but he saw barely any power-play time. McCabe’s offensive production should be on the rise, if only because he’s one year wiser, but if he gets power-play time, there’s an opportunity for him to rack up points. However, with the addition of Dmitry Kulikov, McCabe's stuck on the third pairing and could actually see a reduced role this year.

A co-winner of AHL Rochester's Rookie of the Year award, McCabe is a two-way defenseman with lots of upside, though he is probably a year or two away from permanently cracking the Buffalo roster. The former University of Wisconsin captain scored 29 points in 57 games in the AHL, and will be counted on to build on that production in his second year in the minors. He's a good skater who likes to hit and can jump in on offense, skills that will make him a valuable top-four defenseman one day. For now, McCabe will continue to hone his game in the AHL, but there's no doubt that he will be one of the Sabres' first call-ups should they need another body on defense.

McCabe, the Team USA captain at the 2013 World Junior Championships, will embark on his first full pro season in 2014-15. After concluding a three-year stint at the University of Wisconsin, McCabe appeared in seven games for the Sabres and notched an assist. The young defenseman has a chance to secure a spot with the Sabres, but his development may be better served in the AHL, where he will play a bigger role. McCabe will certainly serve as one of the team’s first options should an injury befall the Sabres’ blue line.

McCabe had an outstanding sophomore season at the University of Wisconsin, playing a shut-down role and grabbing 21 points in 38 games. He also captained the United States to a gold medal at the World Junior Championships, solidifying his status as a top prospect. Much of the Sabres’ prospect depth lies on the blue line, so there’s no need to rush McCabe, who will head back to Wisconsin for at least another season.

McCabe will return to the University of Wisconsin for his sophomore season after being drafted by the Sabres in the third-round of June's NHL Entry Draft. He'll see an increased role this season, but is likely several years away from contributing at the NHL level.