Buffalo Sabres Projected Lineup And Salary Cap Situation
Mar 6, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Cody Hodgson (19) celebrates with left wing Marcus Foligno (82) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Sabres won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Part 2 of our Buffalo Sabres preview looks at a projected roster and salary cap situation for the team that finished dead last in the league last season:
FORWARDS
Matt Moulson – Cody Hodgson – Brian Gionta
Chris Stewart – Tyler Ennis – Drew Stafford
Marcus Foligno – Zemgus Girgensons – Mikhail Grigorenko
Patrick Kaleta – Cody McCormick – Torrey Mitchell
EXTRAS – Brian Flynn
The Sabres were woeful last season, finishing last in goals for. Adding some veterans like Gionta and Mitchell might help the learning curve of the young players, but they will not add much offense themselves. They seem to be a placeholder until the likes of Girgensons, Foligno and Grigorenko mature and can hold down top 6 roles. Not included on this list is Sam Reinhart, the 2nd overall pick who could very well be in the opening day lineup for the Sabres with a solid training camp. The 13 forwards on the roster account for just over $35M in cap space.
May 19, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges (26) skates with the puck against New York Rangers during the second period in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen – Mike Weber
Andrej Meszaros – Andre Benoit
EXTRA – Jake McCabe, Chad Ruhwedel
Like the forwards, the blue line saw a couple of veterans come in over the off-season to help the learning curve. Gorges and Benoit are at different stages in their respective careers, but will be adequate blueliners while Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov move into their place in the next couple of years. The Sabres have just under $18.5M tied up in their 8 blueliners.
Mar 13, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Michal Neuvirth (34) makes glove save during the 2nd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
GOALIES
The Ryan Miller era ended at last season’s trade deadline, and it remains to be seen what either goalie can really offer when put to the test. And tested they will be, as the Sabres will likely struggle once again.
Apr 13, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Connor Knapp (49) makes a save during the second period against the New York Islanders at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
SYNOPSIS
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The Sabres have one of the lowest payroll and cap teams in the league, and they are a team in transition who is looking forward to two or three years from now. In fact, I am sure the club would welcome finishing in the basement and adding either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel to the rebuild to augment what they have been doing so far. They will be a tough gritty team to play against led by coach Ted Nolan.