One a team chock full of pleasant surprises in 2018-19, Sabres’ defenseman, Nathan Beaulieu has stood out as one of the most improved players on the roster. After arriving via trade with the Montreal Canadiens last offseason, the then 25-year-old blueliner struggled to cement a permanent role in the top-six.
By the end of the 2017-18 campaign, many fans (myself included) had him pegged as a potential waiver candidate for the following year. While he has spent some time as a healthy scratch this season, his continued competence both in the defensive zone, and as a puck-carrier will make it tough to keep him out of the lineup moving forward.