It is October 6, and everyone is already passing over Buffalo—the two-time Eastern Conference Finalist in the past three years.
But yet everyone is looking at them this year like they are nothing. I pose the question, "Why?"
This team lost few players this offseason. They got a solid veteran defenseman who can play both ways in Craig Rivet, and will also gain Teppo Numminen, who missed all but the final game last season.
After letting Chris Drury and Daniel Briere go for nothing two years ago, they reversed that trend and signed key guys like Jason Pominville, Paul Gaustad—and most importantly, Ryan Miller—to long-term contracts for the next several years.
Offensively, this team should become even better once they finally realize they all have to contribute—not expect one or two players to do all the work.
They were fourth in goals for last year in the entire league, with Derek Roy, Pominville, and Thomas Vanek combining for 95 of the 251 goals scored. However they were 22nd in goals allowed—but that is expected to improve, with the additions of Numminen and Rivet, and the added year of experience for players such as Andrej Sekera and Nathan Paestch.
Teppo was plus-17 in the 2006-07 campaign, while Craig Rivet was just plus-three—which would have put him tied for third for defenseman who played more than 50 games with Paestch.
While the defensemen overall will be good, there will be some growing pains in adjusting from Brian Campbell to Craig Rivet as their primary point defenseman (along with Jaroslav Spacek).
The goaltending situation as a whole is also expected to be much better, with Ryan Miller no longer having to worry about his contract situation. He can also feel more confident with the guys in front of him, as all the key players are locked up and more solid defensemen have been brought in.
There will also be less pressure on Miller to play 76 of 82 games again this year, as former star-goalie Patrick Lalime was signed to a two-year, $2 million dollar contract. If Lalime regains his form from his Ottawa days, this team will have a scary one-two punch in the crease—similar to Giguere and Bryzgalov in Anaheim.
This team a year ago finished just four points out of the playoffs—DESPITE losing 12 of 13 games from the end of December to mid-January.
But last I checked the Sabres do have Lindy Ruff behind the bench once again. He will not allow another collapse like that December-January stretch last year.
I fully expect Buffalo to be in the playoffs, perhaps as high as fifth—although my guess would be sixth, as the Rangers, Flyers, and Penguins will be in a dogfight all year for the Atlantic Division crown.
Don't sleep on the Buffalo Sabres. And here's the most important reason why.
comments (16) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
It's gonna be tough. I think they are going to do great; but I am always eternally optimistic about this team. I think the biggest problem is that we are in a division with Montreal, Boston and Ottawa (I'm not including Toronto this year, maybe next year ;) ) It's gonna be tough. And when you figure in teams like Philly, Pittsburgh, Washington and maybe even the Rangers, there aren't enough playoff spots for all the talent over here.
Granted, I think they are going to make the playoffs, but I also think they need to come out of the gate strong.
Go Sabres!!
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading Brenda! And as I said not to get one win in 13 games again! I will definitely be rooting so all the haters on Darcy can stop calling for his head!
about 1 month ago
Everyone is writing them off because of their performance last season. Without Briere and Drury, they showed they couldn't win, but now they lost Campbell as well. They do indeed have some good young guys, but other than Pominville, no one has really proven themselves yet. They still have a ways to go. A great goalie can only take you so far...
from about 1 month ago
Second similar comment I've seen from you. you keep saying the same thing. maybe you didn't see the 3 out of 4 games that we beat Philly? Maybe you didn't see that we scored the 4th most goals in the league, behind Montreal, Ottawa and Detroit.
Our offense WAS not the problem last year. Not by a long shot. (with the exception of shootouts, which was a combination of not scoring/Miller not stopping the shots).
Try watching BEFORE commenting
from about 1 month ago
I have to go with Brenda here. And no one besides Pominville? What about Roy? He more than proved himself he was like a third line center with Briere and Drury being the first two and he lead the team in points in his first year as first line center. Thomas Vanek still put up 64 points despite being in a "down year". Besides any knowledgeable Sabres fan not the fans who only know the big names will tell you Campbell could not play defense period. Plus they did show they could win they just had that god awful stretch of 13 games which took them out of the playoffs.
about 1 month ago
Buffalo's getting passed over for any number of reasons - cheif among them being yes, they got a bit better defensively (maybe) but all the teams that finished above them in the standings last year within their reach got significantly better. Philly came together as a team in the playoffs, and I'd argue they will be challenging for the Atlantic division this year given Pittsburghs injury troubles.
Buffalo is in line for 4th in the division. Montreal should win it outright, with Boston and Ottawa fighting for 2nd, which will likely turn into 2 of the last 3 playoff spots. Habs, Pens, Caps, Flyers, Rangers, Devils - that's 6 teams that all should finish ahead of the Sabres. Add Boston and Ottawa, with potentially Tampa fighting for 8th as well, and the Sabres are in an uphill battle with 2 of these teams to get in the playoffs.
This Sabres team had talent and is pretty good, but they just aren't as good as everybody else. They might sneak in, as the battle for 7-8 will be close, but I can't realistically see them higher than that.
from about 1 month ago
Everyone keeps telling me Boston and Tampa and Ottawa are going to be good. I just dont see it from any of them. Tampa has a completely new team with a coach who has not been a part of the day to day action since the early 90's. Ottawa despite what people seem to think will miss Redden more than they think and I hate to say it but they have no one who scares me on offense besides the super line. Then Boston is just a huge question mark. They could have great season or they could have an awful one. Its impossible to tell with them. I also think New Jersey will continue to drop. Martin B. is getting older and there is no backup really. The team has not changed much at all and again all those guys are older and most of them are on the older side of their careers.
from about 1 month ago
gotta disagree with ya there Andrew...How will Jersey CONTINUE to drop when they were 2nd in the division last year with 46 wins - just ONE fewer than both Pens and Habs? Jersey didn't drop, Pens and Habs just got better. Jersey made a couple small tweaks that should improve them offensively. Call Brodeur older if you want, but the fact is his save percentage the last 2 years is the best of his career with the exception of 1996, and they are his 2 career highs for wins as well. He fatigue's more and it cost them in the playoffs, but regular season he's still the best there is and will get the Devils in the top 6 by himself.
Agree with you on Tampa. I'm one of the ones who's been saying all along Tampa isn't that much better, but there is a chance Stamkos is a wonderkind and they just outscore everybody, hence the honourable mention. I do they they drastically underachieved last year, but still see them realistically in 10th or 11th.
Ottawa's going to miss Redden and Mez on the PP, but 5-5 and PK they should be much better defensively. They have 3 of the best shot blockers/shut down D men in the league in Smith, Phillips, Volchenkov. True they are a 1 line team, but that one line is better than any other in hockey, and should get them into the playoffs. Goaltending is the only real question, but with those 3 D, that should take a load off of Gerber and they should be able to get in. There is the possibility this team will just completely implode, but let's assume that is unlikely until it happens.
Boston is better. It's a fact. They made the playoffs last year without their best player and assumed #1 goalie. That push last year and taking the Habs the distance made everyone on the team better, and it will show this year. Yes Bergeron is a question mark, but his preseason was stellar and all looks fine. There are no questions with Savard, and Kessel and Lucic will both be huge impact players in their specific roles. I can see Boston potentially finishing as high as 5th or 6th.
I'm not saying Buffalo is going to be battling the Leafs or anything...but reality is they are in a fight with 4 teams to make the playoffs, 2 of whom are in their own division. That doesn't bode well. If Buffalo makes the playoffs, it will be a surprise. But then, that's why we play the season right?
from about 1 month ago
O wow I forget New Jersey did so well. I just remember their playoff series against Rangers were just so bad I forgot they actually did well. But I think that playoff series is going to be indicative of New Jersey going down.
I agree Boston is going to be decent but not as well as everyone thought with Montreal.
But its going to be hard for the teams in the the Atlantic and Northeast to be in the playoffs. Theres: Philly, Rangers, Pitt, New Jersey, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, and Buffalo will all be at least in contention til Marchish. Thats going to be 8 teams for 7 spots and thats not including if Carolina and Tampa Bay are expected to do as well as they are expected.
about 1 month ago
I did not say their offense was the problem, I said that they have holes that they haven't filled since a couple summers ago. Offense is not the problem at all. Read my comment carefully before accusing me of not knowing what I'm talking about.
about 1 month ago
I am not totally writing them off. But Teppo from the first game I saw him to the end of preseason has taken a large leap backward. The defense is still weak. Tallinder in the line up is not going to help at all. I still think they have a huge hole on the wing with lack of a big skater that has great ability along the boards. And the other large hole is a big man in front of the net with great stick work. Vanek does a great job. But when Paul Gaustad is the other big guy in front on the power play that is a problem. This guy was centering a #1 line most of last year, playing consistently on the #2 power play and netted 10 goals? That is unacceptable.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with all your points here. But in any sport I never really pay attention to preseason but Teppo will need a bit to get back to his former self after taking a year to recover with a heart problem and playing in only one game so I will expect that. It's time for Tallinder to step up here and Buffalo absolutely needs to find the big winger who will grind along the boards. Maybe there will be surprising players on the waiver wire or trading block after preseason though....
about 1 month ago
Andrew I only pay attention to preseason to see how the guys skate or gel with new linemates. The last game of the preseason tilt sunday showed 85 percent of Buffalo's starters in the line up and man did they look terrible. The PP looked like a PK, No flow poor skating,sloppy passes. I hope it was just a bad game.
from about 1 month ago
well then that is pretty bad...hopefully they can fix it by Friday night! I have heard about Buffalo's power play woes and just have been hoping maybe they just need to fix up some things here.
about 1 month ago
Good stance Andrew,
I'd like to say that although I'm not writing the Sabres off, I'm not going to hand them anything as well. The Northeast has gotten tougher over the past couple of seasons, and as the Sabres and Bruins youngsters get more experience, that only goes up.
That being said, the Bruins will have a surprising young team this year, while the Senators are free of expectations, and free of the burden of last years "troubles". Boston is out to prove themselves, while Ottawa is out to prove they weren't a fluke two years ago.
I'm completely sold on the Buffalo offense, as they have a very underrated and dynamic trio in Roy, Pominville, and Vanek, and they always play Northeastern opponents tough. If their defense can surprise then I definitely think they could eek their way into third and even as high as second in the Northeast. I'm just not sold on Rivet and I have to see Numminen put in a full, solid season, before I believe it.
As I've said before though, Boston, Ottawa, and Buffalo will make the Northeast a dog fight, and could even make Montreal a little hot under the collar too if Carey Price isn't nearly as good as we all expect him to be.
BT
from about 1 month ago
agreed...
The reality is that there is no way 4 teams from the NE will make the playoffs - the math and stength of the Atlantic make it nearly impossible. No reason to think the Habs won't make it. So that means whomever of Boston, Ottawa, or Buffalo makes it will certainly have earned it.
write a new comment