Sabres preview: Jack Eichel most exciting Buffalo prospect since Gilbert Perreault?

Kevin Allen | USA TODAY Sports

2014-15 results: 23-51-8, eighth in Atlantic

Arrivals: Coach Dan Bylsma, Jack Eichel (drafted No. 2 overall), C-W Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn (trade from Colorado Avalanche), G Robin Lehner and C David Legwand (trade from Ottawa Senators), D Carlo Colaiacovo (free agent), Cody Franson (free agent)

Departures: D Nikita Zadorov and C Mikhail Grigorenko (trade with Colorado), C Cody Hodgson (signed with Nashville Predators), RW Chris Stewart (signed with Anaheim Ducks), G Anders Lindback (signed with Arizona Coyotes), D Andrej Meszaros (free agent)

Goaltending: The league-wide read on GM Tim Murray’s acquisition of Lehner to be the team’s No. 1 goalie is that it was a solid move with a good probability of success. Murray knows Lehner well from their days together in the Ottawa organization. He likes his mental makeup as well as his talent. The only caution is that Lehner (3.02 GAA, .905 SV%) wasn’t sharp last season. But he is only 24, and has 86 games of NHL experience.

Analysis: Murray is a man of vision. Knowing he was going to land a franchise center in the draft, he traded for proven scorer Evander Kane late last season and then added O’Reilly this summer. He made sure Eichel, the most touted American-born NHL prospect since Mike Modano, has a strong supporting cast. At 18, Eichel could still be Buffalo’s No. 1 center. He looked very comfortable playing against NHL players at the World Championships. Forget about how poorly this team played and consider that center Zemgus Girgensons, 21, is a born leader and a gritty competitor and Tyler Ennis, 25, could produce 50 to 60 points this season. Led by Rasmus Ristolainen, Zach Bogosian and Josh Gorges, the Sabres defense should be dependable at worst. Knowledgeable fans in Buffalo are excited about this team’s potential. They should be.

What advanced stats say: The Sabres had a league-worst 37.5% Corsi rating last season. Brian Gionta's 40.49% was the team's best, among regulars, underscoring how big of a rebuild project is in order.

Breakthrough candidate: Ristolainen, 20, seems ready to become the team’s go-to defenseman. He probably will go from 20 to 22 minutes per game and his point total could rise from 20 to 40-plus.

Youngster to watch: With Eichel aboard, it’s easy to forget that the Sabres have another prized center prospect in Sam Reinhart, son of former NHL player Paul Reinhart. Reinhart, 19, will be given an opportunity to show what he can do. He wasn’t ready last season, but he returned to junior hockey and registered 19 goals and 65 points in 47 games in the Western Hockey League. The projection is Eichel, Reinhart and Girgensons will be Buffalo’s top three centers.

What the team really needs: A strong start. This young group is coming off a horrendous season and needs confidence. Early success to help bring this group together. Make no mistake, there is plenty to like about the Sabres.

Key question: Is Matt Moulson still a 30-goal scorer? He is at least 20-goal scorer, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he scored 25 this season. He's only 31, and he had 41 points last season for the NHL’s worst team. When you look at the team’s potential top-six forward list for this season, it’s clear that Moulson will be playing with a more talented group. The Sabres could score 50 more goals this season.

Forecast: Neither Rome nor the Sabres were built in a day. The Sabres were 45 points out of a playoff spot last season. They can’t make that up in a season. Pick them as the NHL’s most improved team, but still seventh in the Atlantic.

PHOTOS: Players changing teams in 2015-16