BUFFALO SABRES: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 39-31-12 90 points
DIVISION: 4th
CONFERENCE: 11th
RESULT: Missed playoffs

OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: D Craig Rivet(SJ), G Patrick Lalime(CHI)
DEPARTURES: RW Steve Bernier, D Dmitri Kalinin, LW Matt Ryan, G Jocelyn Thibault

Nothing has gone right in Buffalo since they appeared in the conference finals two years ago. That summer they lost their 1-2 punch, Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency and then with the chance that they may have lost defensemen Brian Campbell that very same way this off-season the Sabres were forced to deal the star defensemen at the deadline. This looked to have changed though after all of that when the Sabres were able to sign star goaltender Ryan Miller to a 5 year contract extension, thus reliving any worries they would loose another star player next summer. With Miller signed long term the Sabres can now build their team around him. The Sabres also added D Craig Rivet in a trade with the Sharks to help fill the hole left by Campbell and signed Patrick Lalime to give Miller some time to rest here and there during the season.

CAP HIT: 47.85 million

FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- T.VANEK-D.ROY-J.POMINVILLE
2- J.HECHT-T.CONNOLLY-D.STAFFORD
3- A.KOTALIK-P.GAUSTAD-M.AFINOGENOV
4- D.PAILLE-A.MAIR-C.MacARTHUR
E- A.PETERS-N.GERBE-P.KALETA

The Sabres dont have any glaring holes up front. They have solid depth throughout and have three lines that all can potentially score goals. Derek Roy and Jason Pominville lead this group of talented forwards both coming off career years which they look to continue to build upon. Thomas Vanek was suppose to be up with Roy and Pominville but took a step back after signing that huge offer sheet last summer to stay with the Sabres. Vanek and Roy have played together for 4 years now and hopefully they will be able to really connect and Vanek will find his 40 goal form again. Jochen Hecht has been very consistent for the Sabres the last couple of years and can play either wing or center all depending on the health of Tim Connolly. Connolly who has shown that he has a ton of talent more than capable of a 2nd line center hasn't been able to find a way to stay healthy. He will also be a question mark until he plays 70+ games. Maxim Afinogenov is on the hot seat this season after only producing 10 goals and 28 points in a injury plagued season. If he can return to form the Sabres will have even more scoring power. Paul Gaustad was also rewarded with a 4 year contract extension this summer and will be looked upon to continue his great two-way play. His offensive production could also go up playing along side Afinogenov and Ales Kotalik. Drew Stafford will be looked upon to continue to develop into a top six forward and will be given every opportunity playing along side Connolly and Hecht. Daniel Paille, Adam Mair and Clarke MacArthur bring the grit from a very good 4th line.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- T.LYDMAN-H.TALLINDER
2- C.RIVET-A.SEKERA
3- T.NUMMINEN-J.SPACEK
E- N.PAETSCH-M.WEBER

This group of players really need to step up in order for the Sabres to contend for the playoffs. Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder have showed that they can shutdown the best of them but need to do it on a more consistent basis and really need to step it up further this season. Rivet was brought in to help fill the void left by Campbell and will help young defensemen Andrej Sekera and Mike Weber continue to develop into everyday players. Sekera probably is Buffalo's best puck-moving defensemen and will be given the chance to run the PP. Teppo Numminen returns this season to I think everyones surprise and along with Jaroslav Spacek they give the Sabres a veteran 3rd pairing.

GOALIES:
1- R.MILLER
2- P.LALIME
3- A.DENNIS

Every Sabres fan took a breath of relief when they heard the signing of Ryan Miller's contract extension. The Sabres fans have been though rough times the past couple of seasons and didnt need Miller to go anywhere. Miller is clearly the MVP and leader of this team and is the center block of this franchise for now years to come. Lalime is a great back-up and has all the ability to win the games he does get into when Miller needs a rest.

OVERALL

The Sabres will be in tough to make the playoffs much like the Bruins but will be in the hunt all year. There are too many questions surrounding the Sabres and I think it will be at least another season before they make the playoffs again. If Connolly finally stays healthy, Vanek and Afinogenov regain their form and Sekera is able to QB the powerplay the Sabres will have made good strides to build upon into the future.

PREDICTION: 4th Division, 11th Conference