Preface: I don't really have much to say on this one. I guess I'll start it off by saying the Buffalo Sabres jerseys remind me of a game of Rollerball.
Which is strange because I've never seen that movie.
Also, wouldn't it be neat if, before helmets, each player wore a different style of hat? Guy Lafleur was wearing a sombrero, Gordie Howe in a fedora, and Johnny Bower in a propeller-beanie—wouldn't that be sweet?
On second though, I'm probably just delirious from nearing the end of the previews...
The Buffalo Sabres have been an interesting team to watch. They were one of the NHL's most powerful teams coming out of the lockout, but their talent eventually caught up to them.
Like any talented team (except the Detroit Red Wings), the salary cap ravaged the organization's ability to hold on to all of their stars. In fact, the Sabres almost lost three top players before the 2007-08 season.
But as the cap was implemented, the "super long-term contract" was developed, which will help teams like the Sabres hold on to some of their more talented players.
Roster Additions: Patrick Lalime-G (F.A.), Craig Rivet-D (Trade)
Roster Subtractions: Steve Bernier-F (Trade), Michael Ryan-F (Europe), Jocelyn Thibault-G (F.A.), Dmitri Kalinin-D (F.A), Nolan Pratt-D (F.A.)
How did 2007-08 go? 39-31-12, 90 points, 10th in conference, fourth in Northeast Division.
2008-09 Goal: Second or third in Northeast, make the playoffs (sixth to eighth in conference).
Let's break'er down...
The Buffalo Sabres are one of the most overlooked teams talent-wise in the NHL. I guess it was just assumed that after they lost Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency, they had nothing left.
Granted, last season was nothing like the past two years, but the Sabres are just a few steps behind where they were, and with the young talent preparing to step up, they could be back atop the division soon.
Well, at least before the Leafs will be—probably.
Pominville: It's more than just a city
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about 1 month ago
Nice. Well written and very thorough. Personally, I'm hoping they wear their third jersey every time they play, but we all know that ain't gonna happen. I figure, when sales start lagging in the sale of the slug jersey, they'll decide to go back to the original as their main jersey and once again, we'll all be out buying new swag..
But, this is about hockey, not clothes. I think Buffalo is waist deep in talent on offense, and maybe knee deep on defense. Our biggest downfall right now is the division we are in. I think the battle between Ottawa, Boston and Buffalo is going to be great all season. If we can get out of the gate quickly and have a strong start, we'll be in good shape. If they mess around like they did last year, they'll, once again, never catch up.
I think Vanek, Roy and Pommers are geared to be that super-line we need so badly. They all have a few years under their belt now, they all have nice fat wallets and long term contracts, so there should be no excuse for them not to play well.
I hope if Max continues his horrid play, Lindy puts him on a bench and brings some of those young guns back from Roch.. erm, Portland (I'm never gonna get used to it.) And, I hope if he has a great year, Darcy says, too bad, and trades him at the deadline and gets something worthwhile for him.
Defensively, well, I don't know what to expect. They are, as you said, old. That will hurt them; but I hope their experience will offset the age. Plus, we've got the young guys too. Weber, Sekera, Paetsch - if they can learn from the experience of their elders, we'll be OK.
Goaltending is good. I think Miller is good to go. He's got a nice fat wallet and some job security, which I think he needs. He is so into the game mentally, he needs as few distractions as possible for him to play his best, and I think having a solid backup will help him as well.
It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out, and I think this division is going to be a great one to watch this season (as usual). Go Sabres!!
from about 1 month ago
I don't think being in the Northeast is going to be a problem this coming year, as they had a winning record versus division opponents last season. I think their biggest problem, schedule-wise, is interconference play and to an extent, the Atlantic.
about 1 month ago
I agree with you here. They were unable to show last year that they could compete without Briere and Drury. Now they lost Campbell, too, and didn't really pick anyone up from free agency. This team is destined to fail once again.
from about 1 month ago
You say we were unable to compete without Drury and Briere, and yet we had the 4th most goals scored in the league. Offense was NOT an issue last year, nor will it be this year.
We may have missed the leadership of Drury, but that is NOT what caused the Sabres to miss the playoffs. They were a mere 4 points out of a playoff spot, they were arguably the best, or one of the best, teams in the division the second half of the season.
What they couldn't do was score in a shootout (which neither Drury or Briere would have really helped with); and they couldn't stop shots.
Drury and Briere did NOT make this team what it was. They were a component in it, but they did not make the team. Buffalo came out strong with the new rules because they adapted to them better; the rest of the league caught on over the next two years, and we weren't able to adjust our defense to stop them.
from about 1 month ago
Alan you are way off. The Sabres had not problem competing with other teams their defense and goal tending were the issues. The average points per game scored was still near the top but the points allowed per game climbed significantly. And that is not because of Briere or Campbell because either one of them were terrible in their own end. Drury is the only one of the 3 you mentioned that would have helped on defense.
about 1 month ago
I actually expect a 2nd place finish if they play up to their talent. Ottawa is going to struggle and, I assume you have them in 3rd, Boston will fail to live up to expectations. It's up to the Sabres to out-skate everybody and be consistent.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks Ryan,
It was actually hard not to put "ties" in a few places—this division is pretty hard to decipher. I think Boston might be for real though, and Ottawa could bounce back with fewer distractions this season.
It's definitely going to be close though...really close.
BT
about 1 month ago
I understand that Campbell is not the best defensive defenseman, and Briere and Drury are just okay in their own end, but they were an amazing team with those three, and then after they all left/were traded, they sunk. Well, they sunk before they lost Campbell, but how do you explain it? Miller did great last year, but he doesn't have defense in front of him.
from about 1 month ago
Alan you are speaking out of ignorance.....Buffalo had 11 guys with 30+ points. How many did the Flyers have? 11 the two teams are very similar and will continue to be. The Sabres defense is not great I will admit that but they are trying to become better and also since you are so high on campbell apparently. He was there during their 1 win in 13 game stretch last year so I am pretty sure it's not like he left and they fell apart. Also Buffalo scored seven more goals than the flyers and let up nine more and thats without an all-star number 1 defenseman...So go watch other hockey teams besides the Flyers and then you can come and talk with the rest of us as a well-informed person.
about 1 month ago
Miller was far from stellar last year. I'm not saying he's a horrible goaltender, but he's soft at key times and he can't stop a shot in a shoot out. His numbers from last year - 2.64 goals against, .906 save % - not great. Not horrible, but not great.
That, coupled with a weak defense (which has ALWAYS been a problem, at least in the recent past) are what sunk the Sabres - it was most certainly NOT a lack of offense. Depth is something they are not lacking. They do not have a "superstar" like Crosby or Ovechkin; but they have a core guys with solid performances and goal scoring ability.
Campbell is WAY overrated, in my opinion, and I think the hawks paid WAY too much for him. Whatever. He's a good player, don't get me wrong, but he is most certainly not one of the elite defensemen in the league.
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