The Departed: Buffalo Sabres Struggling To Keep Key Players

Sitting two points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the highly competitive Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres are finding that they might have to dig a little deeper if they are to overcome the odds.

However, Sabres' fans might have a lot more to worry about than just making the playoffs this time around.

After winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2006-2007, Buffalo have watched their key players depart via trade or free agency over the last two years in Daniel Briere (Philadelphia Flyers), Chris Drury (New York Rangers), Jay McKee (St. Louis Blues), Mike Grier (San Jose Sharks), JP Dumont (Nashville Predators), Dainius Zubrus (New Jersey Devils) and more recently Brian Campbell (San Jose Sharks). 

The former Sabre co-captains, Briere and Drury, were well on their way out of Buffalo after receiving lucrative contracts from Philadelphia and New York respectively.  

Briere, 30, was rumored to have attracted the interest of the Montreal Canadiens before deciding to join up with former teammate Martin Biron in the Philadelphia. Drury, on the other hand, joined up with the Blueshirts on Broadway after inking a five-year deal worth up to $35.35 million. With Briere and Drury leaving via free agency, the Sabres were left with nothing in return for both superstars.

The remaining list of core players departed Buffalo in similar fashion over the past two years.

JP Dumont was allowed to leave after Nashville stepped up with a two-year, $4.5 million contract. The former third overall pick in 1996 has done fairly well with the Predators thus far—accumulating 63 points in 70 games this season. 

Spending nearly his entire NHL career with his beloved Sabres, Jay McKee left in favor of a four-year, $16 million contract to play for the St. Louis Blues. Regarded by many around the NHL as one of the premier shotblockers, head coach Lindy Ruff's team lost a fair amount of grit and selflessness on the blueline.

Another gritty forward was lost in Mike Grier after electing to sign for the San Jose Sharks. Like McKee, Grier's size and physicality gave Buffalo the much needed determination to muster out results.

After being signed as rental player from the Washington Capitals, Dainius Zubrus quickly left Buffalo to sign a six-year, $20.4 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.

Thomas Vanek, one of the many rising stars from Buffalo, was also very close to departing after signing a seven-year contract worth $50 million with the Edmonton Oilers. However, Sabres GM Darcy Regier was reluctantly forced to match Oilers GM Kevin Lowe's offer in order to keep his Austrian starlet at the HSBC Arena.

More recently, at the 2008 NHL Trade Deadline, Brian Campbell was just another casualty to leave the comforts of Buffalo. Sought after by numerous NHL teams, Campbell possessed an uncanny ability to move the puck up the ice and create offensive chances for a young Sabre hockey team. Without their all-star defensemen, there were undoubtedly somber faces in the Buffalo locker room. 

"It's just frustrating because we felt like we had a team that could pursue a Stanley Cup for the last two years," said goaltender Ryan Miller.

"We're going to have to retool and regroup. The attitude needs to remain the same. We have a core group of guys who understand what it takes. We're just going to have to find our spot, find our way, make the playoffs and play well."

With players already distraught by another departure of a key player, the Sabres organization might have their hands tied when it comes to locking up franchise goaltender Miller to a long-term deal after his contract expires in the summer of 2009. The former Michigan State University star has been linked with a return to his native Michigan to play with his hometown Detroit Red Wings. With Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood gaining with age and possibly nearing retirement, Miller would become the franchise goaltender that Detroit GM Ken Holland has sought after for years. 

"You know, my home state would be a nice opportunity, but, honestly, Buffalo's been great to me," Miller said.

"I have a lot of fun here. We have a young core of guys. As far as I know, you guys got Hasek and Osgood. I'm settled here and happy here. I'd like to stay. I'd like the opportunity to keep building here."

With Miller Time rumored to be hitting the Motor City, the Sabres could ill afford to lose their franchise goalie to free agency. Sabre fans could very well be facing the beginning of a very tough era for their beloved hockey franchise if key players continue to depart.

But, then again, Miller himself doesn't even know where he will end up. 

"Who knows how hockey careers go?"