Climbing Back On The Horse: Featuring, The Buffalo Sabres

The 2007-08 season proved greatly disappointing for the Buffalo Sabres in terms of their previous years success. After winning the Presidents trophy last season, the Buffalo Sabres failed to make the playoffs this year. They were only four points out from the 8th and final spot, held by Boston.

At first, this seems like a huge let down for a city of fans used to such great success over the past few years. However, take into consideration losing Chris Drury and Daniel Briere to free agency and losing guys like Maxim Afinegenov and Teppo Numminen to injury, it would seem as though this Buffalo didn't fair as bad as you'd think. Then, take into consideration The Sabres were still the second highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference and third highest in the entire league, then the picture suddenly becomes bigger.

Sure, a high scoring team like the Sabres SHOULD have made the playoffs. Many people see this as the begining of a great collapse from a team that already almost faced its demise from bankruptcy a few years back. The bottom line is this; the Sabres don't need a whole lot of changes. Sure, to return to the post-season the Sabres will need some minor off-season tweaks, but not enough to consider this team in a "rebuilding stage". Lets break down some possible off-season moves for the Buffalo Sabres.

 
FORWARDS

unrestricted free agents: Michael Ryan

restricted free agents: Steve Bernier, Paul Gaustad, Clarke Macarthur, Mark Mancari, Daniel Paille

When you lose guys like Danny Briere and Chris Drury and still finish third overall in the league in goals for, your pretty deep as far as scoring goals is concerned. Coach Lindy Ruff got career years from center Derek Roy and right wing Jason Pominville. Dereky Roy finished better then a point per game, while Pominville set a career high in assists with 53 and was a nearly a point per game with 80 in 82 games. Roy seems to have stepped up into the number one center position for Tim Connolly, who again missed most of the season with injuries but still managed 40 points in 48 games.

Every team has their own little edge. The Detroit Red Wings have their puck movement. The Philadelphia Flyers have their grit. The Anaheim Ducks have their size. Without a doubt, The Buffalo Sabres can score goals. They dont really need to many changes up front. Thomas Vanek had a slow start but had a stellar second half and nearly hit the 40 goal mark for the second straight year. Ales Kotalik and Jochen Hecht once again hit the 20 goal mark, and youngster Daniel Paille set a career high with 19 goals. If Afinegenov and Connolly can stay healthy, that's eight guys that offer consistent scoring.

You would figure it stops there, but it doesnt. The Sabres do have a considerable amount of size upfront as well. Paul Gaustad, stands 6'5  and remains their number one option for a third line center who can play both ends of the ice. Then theirs youngsters Drew Stafford and Steve Bernier, both who had 16 goalds and both who stand at 6'2. 

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