A Preview Of The 2009-10 Season: Buffalo Sabres.

(Photo by: Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Over the next 30 days, I will be previewing all 30 NHL clubs.  I will be looking at their available salary cap room, the additions and deletions from the 2008-09 rosters and where I think they will stack up in their division and conference for the 2009-10 season. 

Let's get a move on with the Buffalo Sabres, Northeast Division, and the Eastern Conference.

The Buffalo Sabres currently have 18 players under one-way contracts, two goaltenders, six defensemen and ten forwards.  The salary cap hit for these 18 players is $50.13 million.  Add to that the two-way contracts of prospects, Chris Butler, Joe Dipenta, Patrick Kaleta and Cody McCormick. The Sabres still have one significant RFA to sign, Drew Stafford.  The 22 players that are signed give the Sabres a salary cap hit of $52.61.  That gives a lot of room to sign Stafford and make any other moves that GM Darcy Reiger feels he needs to make to improve his hockey club.

Significant Additions:

Steve Montador signed a 2 yr. $1.55 million UFA contract from the Bruins. Joe DiPenta signed a two-way, 1 yr. 550K UFA contract from the Ducks. Cody McCormick signed a two-way, 1yr. 550K UFA contract from the Avalanche.

Significant Deletions:

Jaroslav Spacek, Maxim Afinogenov, Andrew Peters, Dominic Moore, were lost to Unrestricted Free Agency.  Teppo Numminen announced his retirement after 20 NHL seasons.

Restricted Free Agents still to Sign:

Drew Stafford and Mark Mancari.

Prospects that Impressed in 08/09:

Chris Butler:

This former 4^th round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Butler was a mid-season call-up after the Sabres’ Defense went through a rash of injuries.  During his rookie season, Butler played in 47 games and made enough of an impression, to allow the Sabres to feel comfortable enough, to let Spacek leave via free agency.

Butler is a mature offensive defenseman that is reliable in his own zone.  He was a team leader at the University of Denver helping to set an example for a very young team.  As a well-rounded player, he works well in tight spaces and makes the first pass well.

Nathan Gerbe:

The former 5^th round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in ’05, Gerbe played in 10 games during ’08-09.  Gerbe will be looking for a regular spot with Sabres and should battle with Kaleta for the final roster spot.

 He uses excellent speed and an ability to create space to make up for his lack of size.  As a well-rounded offensive player, Gerbe was able to set the tone for his teammates, and provided a spark throughout the season.  He looks to follow Buffalo’s Briere/Roy mold of diminutive but aggressive centers.

Mike Weber:

The former second round draft pick of the Sabres in ’06, Weber as played in 23 games over the past two seasons.  The 6’2” defensemen is entering the final year of his entry level contact, so he will looking to battle with DiPenta and Butler for the final defensive roster spot with the Sabres.

Weber is a tough, defensive-minded player. That can make the long pass out of the defensive zone.  He has a hard shot and takes pride in finishing his checks.  He has improved his offensive game to a respectable level, and did not look out of place in a scattering of NHL games last season. 

Prospects to watch in 09/10:

Tim Kennedy:

The former 6th round pick of the Washington Capitals, in ’05, Kennedy played in one game in ’08-09 after spending the majority of the regular season in Portland of the AHL.  The 5’10” left winger is projected as a quality defensive forward. His defensive zone play and willingness to take the body have remained strengths, and he showed good leadership ability with his college team.  Though not a pure scorer, he is an opportunistic and smart offensive player, with good fundamentals. 

Tyler Ennis:

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