Last Season

After an impressive tank in 2014-15, the Buffalo Sabres started the 2015-16 with rookie Jack Eichel as the centerpiece, Ryan O’Reilly as a significant offseason addition, a healthy Evander Kane and expectations … rather low. An injury to goalie Robin Lehner lowered them even more. But new coach Dan Bylsma squeezed out a 35-36-11 record, finishing just one point behind the Montreal Canadiens in the Atlantic.

O’Reilly (60 points) led the team in scoring, while Eichel led with 24 goals. Sam Reinhart contributed 23 and Evander Kane had 20 in 65 games. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to the leap offensively, as the 21-year-old tallied 41 points in 82 games.

Off the ice, O’Reilly was charged and then found not guilty of impaired driving, after a crash into a Tim Hortons in Ontario last summer. Evander Kane, meanwhile, was arrested on four counts of non-criminal harassment, one count of disorderly conduct and a count of misdemeanor trespass after an incident with two women and a bouncer at a Buffalo nightclub. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

2015-16 Season, In One Picture

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Did They Get Better, Worse, Or Are They About The Same?

Better.

Kyle Okposo (signed through 2022) is a perfect addition on several fronts. First as a potential linemate for Eichel, after he proved an effective wingman for John Tavares on Long Island. But he’s also versatile and can play down the lineup. Eichel told us this week that Okposo’s character is also an asset.

Dmitry Kulikov was a Tim Murray favorite. He adds physicality on the blue line, and one assumes he’s going to be on the top pairing on the left side. He’s an upgrade.

Alas, Jimmy Vesey decided to sign with the New York Rangers, despite the Sabres owning his negotiating rights and Eichel’s presence. And Steven Stamkos didn’t sign either. But he also snubbed Toronto, so that’s OK.

Five Most Fascinating Players

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1 – Jack Eichel

Eichel had 24 goals last season, and showed the potential for much more with his nose for the net and nasty shot. He’s got every tool to become a star in this league – the skating, the hands, that shot. If he lines up with Okposo, watch out.

2 – Rasmus Ristolainen

He faded a bit in the second half, including an awful January and February (14 points in 49 games and a minus-22). Once his contract gets sorted out, it’s going to be fascinating to see how much higher the ceiling is for him offensively. The Kulikov acquisition seems geared towards maximizing that potential.

3 – Robin Lehner

Can he be a No. 1 starter? The most Lehner has played in a season was 36 games in 2013-14, and ended with a 3.06 GAA. He appeared 21 times for the Sabres in his injury-plagued debut. He’s dropped some pounds in the offseason. He has the confidence of management, fort he moment. And due respect to Anders Nilsson and Linus Ullmark, the crease is his to lose.

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