Buffalo Sabres: 10 Reasons They Could Be the Real Deal

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As preseason is underway, there is optimism all around the National Hockey League. Hope truly springs eternal as, at least for the next month or so, every team is a contender.

However, some teams have more reason than others to anxiously anticipate the start of the regular season. One of those teams that has a legitimate reason to believe is the Buffalo Sabres. 

They are coming into the 2011-12 season with plenty of momentum after making the playoffs for two straight years and they had a very productive and successful offseason.

The Sabres have positioned themselves as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders and here are 10 reasons why.

A Deep Defensive Unit

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The Buffalo Sabres identified a key need this offseason and that need was defense. They were aggressive in filling the void on the blue line.

First, Darcy Regier went out and traded for Robyn Regehr from the Calgary Flames to add some grit and tenacity to the defensive corps.

Then right before the start of free agency, another deal was made to get the rights to Christian Ehrhoff from the New York Islanders, who obtained his rights from the Vancouver Canucks but were unable to sign him.

The Sabres and Ehrhoff reached an agreement on a 10-year, $40 million deal.

Now the Sabres have one of the deepest defensive lineups in the league with a great mix of youth and experience. 

Ville Leino

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If you can't beat them, have them join you. After losing to Ville Leino and the Philadelphia Flyers, the Sabres signed the forward to a six-year, $27 million deal.

Although, Leino isn't the No. 1 center that many fans were hoping for, he does fit Lindy Ruff's system very well.

He is a versatile player who can play all three forward positions. He can kill penalties and chip in on the power play. He will be a valuable tool to have when the season begins.  

Tyler Myers Is Signed Long-Term

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Some may say that this gives Tyler Myers less of an incentive to play hard, but it's actually the opposite.

Myers now has to prove his worth by making the leap to the next level. He also won't be distracted by contract talks and questions regarding it from the media, so he can focus on hockey.

The happiest of all are the Sabres fans. All too often, they've seen talent walk out the door because management couldn't work out a deal.

Dropping of Dead Weight

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Let's face it. A good portion of last season's roster just wasn't hacking it anymore. There is a reason why guys like Rob Niedermayer and Mike Grier currently don't have jobs in the NHL.

Even Tim Connolly and Steve Montador will be better off in their new surroundings. They just were no longer effective in Buffalo.

The roster is now made of the right players who are at the right points in their career. Too many times last year, the Sabres had guys on the ice who just didn't belong.  

Terry Pegula

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The man behind all of the changes in Buffalo has been Terry Pegula. For the first time, the franchise isn't restricted by a tight budget.

Ever since Pegula took over as the owner, there has been newfound excitement and energy pulsing through the organization.

Fans no longer have to worry. If something needs to be done, it will be. If the team needs something, it will get it.

A Deep Farm System

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Hinging off of the Pegula ownership is a deep and talented farm system. Not only do the Sabres have the willpower to get something done, they have the resources. If a big name arises as the trade deadline approaches, the Sabres will have the players to get a deal done.

Their deep farm system will also help the team if injuries begin to pile up. There are several players who are capable of making the Sabres roster, but likely won't because of numbers.

Guys such as Luke Adam, Zach Kassian and Marcus Foligno will be able to jump in and momentarily fill voids created by other players missing from the lineup. 

A Revamped Ryan Miller

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With the new defense in place, Ryan Miller ought to be one of the happiest people in Buffalo. His job should at least be a little easier.

Miller is also more than a full year removed from the 2009-10 season in which he played non-stop—including the Olympics.

Miller will come into the season fully charged, refocused and ready to go and will bounce back from an average 2010-11 season. 

A Legitimate No. 2 Goaltender

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Helping Ryan Miller stay fresh will be Jonas Enroth. For the first time since trading Martin Biron, the Sabres have a legitimate No. 2 goaltender.

Now, Miller won't have to be relied on as much and can stay fresh throughout the season. This is an often forgotten position, but one that is very important.

A Healthy Derek Roy

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Some fans don't think it's a coincidence that after Derek Roy got hurt, the Sabres turned around their season. However, the truth of the matter is, the team as a whole wasn't playing very well through December.

Now that the Sabres have a healthy Derek Roy and a cast of new talent, the team should perform even better than it did at the end of last season.

Lindy Ruff just needs to find the right line combinations to ensure everyone clicks. 

An Excited & Championship Starved Fan Base

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What's one of the greatest x-factors in hockey? Home ice. This year, even more than usual, the Sabres fans will be a rowdy bunch.

They come into this season with a real reason to believe that the Sabres can make a run at the Stanley Cup. They will support the club all throughout the season and do whatever they can to help the team win.

If the Sabres are to win a championship, the entire city of Buffalo would be in mayhem and Terry Pegula would become the most beloved man in western New York.