Buffalo Sabres 2014-15 Season Preview
Apr 10, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Drew Stafford (21) celebrates a a goal against the New York Rangers with teammates during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
BUFFALO SABRES
2013-14 RECAP
The Sabres, almost as expected, had a miserable 2013-14 season, finishing dead last in the entire NHL. To add insult to injury, the Sabres lost the draft lottery and ended up with the 2nd overall pick, drafting Sam Reinhart. The Sabres’ top scorer last season was Cody Hodgson with just 44 points, while they had only 4 players get more than 30 points. They had the worst offense in the league, the only team to score less than 2 goals per game, scoring 38 fewer goals than the next worst club (Florida).
Mar 11, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Moulson (26) against the Edmonton Oilers at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
CHANGES
IN – Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta, Sam Reinhart, Andrej Meszaros, Josh Gorges, Andre Benoit
OUT- Ville Leino, Christian Ehrhoff, Henrik Tallinder, Jamie McBain, Cory Conacher, Zenon Konopka
After ridding themselves of a couple of albatross contracts through buyout (Leino and Ehrhoff) the Sabres added one in Meszaros, a piece that seems a little unnecessary. They added some wily veterans in Gorges and Gionta from the Habs, while bringing back Moulson.
Oct 4, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko (25) in play during the game against the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. The Senators beat the Sabres 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
3 BIG QUESTIONS
1. Is Mikhail Grigorenko‘s time running out? – The 2012 first round pick of the Sabres (12th overall) has bounced around due to his play as well as his attitude. He seems like he is long for KHL duty just based on his demeanor and it would be a big blow to the Sabres organization for that prospect not to pan out. This will be the final year of his entry level deal, and he could follow in the footsteps of Ilya Kovalchuk and Igor Radulov if the bouncing around continues.
2. Why Meszaros? The signing of the veteran former Ottawa Senators defenseman is puzzling, based on the top end prospects in the Sabres organization that could use the experience as the team rebuilds. It is not as though he is thought of as a tremendous leader that he can mentor the young blue liners like Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, but instead he might be taking developmental minutes away from them.
3. Is Connor McDavid in the Sabres future? The Sabres will be a bit better this season, bu by no means would I consider them anything but a bottom 5 team. That would give them pretty good odds at nabbing either one of McDavid or Jack Eichel, the two “franchise players” available in the upcoming draft.
Mar 13, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth (34) looks back into the net after Carolina Hurricanes forward Alexander Semin (not pictured) scores a goal at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
PREDICTION
The Sabres lack top end offensive talent, plain and simple. They will be a tough team to play against, but even the weasel factor is diminished with the departure of Steve Ott at the trade deadline. They have a few guys who could touch 20 goals, but nobody who is a sure thing to get 30. Questions abound in net after the departure of Ryan Miller, and which of Michal Neuvirth or Jhonas Enroth will seize the starting job.
They made some solid additions and veteran experience, but nothing that is going to immediately turn the tide and suddenly make them a contender.
8th in Atlantic Division