Welcome to Puck Drop Preview 2014-15, where our hockey department gives you a detailed look at each team from around the NHL leading to the start of this hockey season and offers our insight and analysis. Makes sure to stick around until the end of the series, where we’ll offer our full predictions for the standings in each division, and eventually our collective LWOS 2014-15 Stanley Cup pick. You can check out all our articles on our Puck Drop Page. Today is the Buffalo Sabres.



Last Season:

Oh, where to start? The Buffalo Sabres last season were, to put it frankly, a train wreck. 2013-14 is certainly a campaign that fans will want to forget. They were the worst team in the NHL, by quite a substantial margin. The Florida Panthers (the second-worst team) were 14 points ahead of the Sabres, who finished the year with 52 points, from a 21-51-10 record.

Of course, it’s not as if fans expected the team to be good or anything. Buffalo had already made it quite clear that they were going all-out for a rebuild. The previous season had been poor as well, when they finished 12th in the Eastern Conference. 2013-14 was the first season since 1997 without Lindy Ruff behind the Sabres bench, after the former Jack Adams winner was fired in February of 2013. They were also going into the season without some key veterans, such as Jason Pominville, Robyn Regher and Jordan Leopold, who had all been dealt at the previous trade deadline.

Suffice to say, the Sabres knew they would need an outrageous amount of luck to even contend for a playoff spot in 2014. Obviously, there’s a great deal of luck that goes around in sports. However, let’s just say that luck tends not to cooperate well with Buffalo.

The Sabres didn’t even manage to get into the win column until the eighth game of the 2013-14 season, when they finally beat the New York Islanders in a shootout. After it took four more games for Buffalo to record a regulation win, GM Darcy Regier decided to shake things up. So, he traded veteran and team captain Thomas Vanek to the Islanders for a 1st round pick, a 2nd round pick, and Matt Moulson (who was flipped to Minnesota at the trade deadline for more draft picks.

Less than two weeks later, both Regier (who had been GM for 16 years) and new coach Ron Rolston were fired. It was November 13th, and the Sabres were 4-15-1. Ted Nolan, who had previously coached the Sabres in the 90s, was brought back behind the bench in a move that was very popular with fans. Pat LaFontaine, former Sabres player, was hired as a temporary President of Hockey Operations. LaFontaine poached Tim Murray from the Ottawa Senators, and jumped ship not two months later (back to his previous post at the NHL).

Murray then embarked on his quest to acquire every single draft pick he could, by means of trading all the team’s veterans. The Buffalo Sabres were officially in “tear it to the ground” mode. He dealt franchise goaltender Ryan Miller (one of the lone bright spots of the season, managing to post elite numbers while playing for a terrible team) along with captain Steve Ott to St. Louis for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart and a 1st round draft picks (and another pick and prospect).

Of course, the losing continued, and the Sabres rolled to their lowest point total in a non-lockout season since 1972. Any year where one of your highlights is a John Scott goal has to be a bad one.

Puck Drop Preview: 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres

Offseason Changes:

You could say the Sabres’ offseason got off to a bad start when, despite being far and away the worst team in the league, they lost the draft lottery to Florida and ended up with the 2nd overall pick (see above: luck tends not to cooperate with Buffalo). Nevertheless, they used their six picks in the first three rounds to stock up on prospects, most notably Sam Reinhart with their first-rounder. Reinhart will likely be competing for a spot on the team at training camp this year.

Before the draft, Buffalo bought out veterans Ville Leino and Christian Ehrhoff. Leino, quite infamously, failed to score a single goal in 2013-14, despite his 6-year, $27 million contract. Ehrhoff, on the other hand, was one of the Sabres’ better players last season, managing 33 points as a defenceman, and being a Corsi wizard. However, his contract wasn’t a good fit for a team in a rebuild, so he too was let go with Buffalo’s second compliance buyout.

Come July 1st, the Sabres were very active. They signed both Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick, bringing them back from Minnesota (to whom they’d both been traded just a few months earlier). Brian Gionta, captain of the Montreal Canadiens, was also brought in from free agency, along with Andrej Meszaros, Tyson Strachan and Andre Benoit. All these new players will help fill out the roster, keep the team above the salary floor, and bring a veteran presence to a locker room full of youth. The Sabres also traded for defenceman Josh Gorges from Montreal, who apparently would prefer to play for Buffalo more than the Leafs.

The moves made this offseason weren’t quite as drastic as the ones made during the season; there was no fire sale, and Murray didn’t trade every serviceable NHLer he had for a draft pick. It’s easy to see the direction the Sabres are going, with this veteran group who will be instrumental in the development of Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, Mikhail Grigorenko, and other young talents. Leadership was lacking last year, so the Sabres certainly went out and got some.

The Sabres also added to their coaching staff, hiring Bryan Trottier, Danny Flynn, and Tom Coolen as assistant coaches, as well as Arturs Irbe as goaltending coach.

2014-15 Lineup Projection:

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Sabres giving opportunities to lots of younger players, allowing them to line up beside the veterans. Sam Reinhart could well get right into the action, starting his NHL career on the 2nd line. Mikhail Grigorenko will have to really impress in training camp if he wants a spot in the opening night lineup, as will Joel Armia and Patrick Kaleta. As for goaltending, the Sabres will roll with a tandem of Michal Neuvirth and Jhonas Enroth, who will be competing for starts. They’re one of the most evenly-matched pairs of goalies in the NHL.

Matt Moulson – Tyler Ennis – Drew Stafford

Cody Hodgson – Sam Reinhart – Brian Gionta

Marcus Foligno – Zemgus Girgensons – Chris Stewart

Matt Ellis – Brian Flynn – Torrey Mitchell

Josh Gorges – Tyler Myers

Mike Weber – Rasmus Ristolainen

Andrej Meszaros – Mark Pysyk

Michal Neuvirth

Jhonas Enroth

Players to Watch:

Mikhail Grigorenko: Grigorenko was drafted 12th overall in 2012, and came as a highly-touted prospect at centre. However, he has not yet lived up to expectations. In 43 total games in the NHL, he’s only managed 8 points. There are huge question marks surrounding the young Russian prospect. Sabres fans don’t have much confidence that Grigorenko will have an impact this season. However, under the new leadership in Buffalo, he could be able to finally produce at the NHL level. Last season, after being sent to the AHL, he did start to show signs of progress. His defensive game has noticeably improved, as has his faceoff skill. There’s no pressure to rush him to the NHL, considering the state of the Sabres. However, it will be interesting to watch if Grigorenko gets another opportunity with the big club.

Grigorenko was drafted 12th overall in 2012, and came as a highly-touted prospect at centre. However, he has not yet lived up to expectations. In 43 total games in the NHL, he’s only managed 8 points. There are huge question marks surrounding the young Russian prospect. Sabres fans don’t have much confidence that Grigorenko will have an impact this season. However, under the new leadership in Buffalo, he could be able to finally produce at the NHL level. Last season, after being sent to the AHL, he did start to show signs of progress. His defensive game has noticeably improved, as has his faceoff skill. There’s no pressure to rush him to the NHL, considering the state of the Sabres. However, it will be interesting to watch if Grigorenko gets another opportunity with the big club. Drew Stafford: With a cap hit of $4 million, and just one year left on his contract, Drew Stafford could be on the trading block this year. He’s one of the last remaining members of the old core of players, from two years ago. Now, with the newly-acquired contracts, the Sabres likely will have no need for Stafford. Expect him to be out the door at the trade deadline, as a team in the playoff hunt would probably give up a pick or a prospect for him.

With a cap hit of $4 million, and just one year left on his contract, Drew Stafford could be on the trading block this year. He’s one of the last remaining members of the old core of players, from two years ago. Now, with the newly-acquired contracts, the Sabres likely will have no need for Stafford. Expect him to be out the door at the trade deadline, as a team in the playoff hunt would probably give up a pick or a prospect for him. Cody Hodgson: The saga continues with Cody Hodgson. The Sabres got him from Vancouver via trade a couple years ago, after the Canucks had inflated his stats via very favorable zone starts and ice time against weaker competition. He has shown signs of his talent since then, being one of the most offensively skilled players on the Sabres. Last season, he led the team in scoring with 20 goals, and 44 points (a depressing fact to most Sabres fans). He’s been much maligned, however, for his lacking defensive game. Nolan moved him to the wing from centre during the last season, which seemed to help him a lot. He should be a bright spot for the Sabres this coming year, as long as he can improve in his own end.

On the Rise:

Zemgus Girgensons

Rasmus Ristolainen

Tyler Ennis

Girgensons is entering his sophomore season as a fan favourite. The Latvian possession machine really impressed Sabres fans, despite a relatively low points total of 22. He was one of the hardest-working Sabres last year, playing a physical, defensive game. He will probably play on the third line, as a checking centre. He will be a great player for the Sabres in years to come.

Ristolainen played 34 games with Buffalo last year, and likely earned himself a permanent spot on the team. The big Finnish defenceman can, like Girgensons, throw the body around, and make great defensive plays. The Sabres picked him 8th overall in 2013, and now he’s proving that it was worth it. Ristolainen has excellent hockey sense, and can read plays well. He will be given ample opportunity to develop in the NHL this year.

Tyler Ennis, unlike the other two, already seems to have broken out. He was recently handed a 5-year contract extension, at the age of 24. He has been known to be slightly streaky, but has great offensive talent. He’s already one of the Sabres’ most powerful weapons – he was probably their best player last season – and will only continue to get better. One has to think that, if he can score a little more consistently, then Ennis will be a crucial part of the rebuilt Buffalo Sabres for a long time.

The Sabres already have these three great pieces in place (among others), who will contribute massively to the rebuild. They will build a successful new team around them.

On the Decline:

Brian Gionta

Josh Gorges

Cody McCormick

All three of these players are probably past their best days. Gionta, of course, is 35, and has had a very solid career with New Jersey and Montreal. He was brought in to Buffalo to provide leadership, which he can definitely do. However, fans should not expect him to be anything like his former self. There’s a reason the Canadiens let their captain test the free agency market. He probably only has a couple years left, which he will spend in Buffalo, teaching the next generation.

Gorges and McCormick, on the other hand, are slightly different stories. Gorges is only 30, so isn’t likely to retire soon. However, his value has significantly decreased from a few years ago. He accepted a trade to Buffalo, knowing that he probably won’t get first-pairing minutes anywhere else in the league. Who knows, he may have a few more good years left, but it’s unlikely. He’s still a good defensive defenceman (quite a poor offensive one), but he seems to be becoming more and more average.

McCormick, at 31, has had a good career, for a former 5th round pick. He’s a big, aggressive player. However, he’s definitely on the tail end of his time in the NHL. McCormick will struggle to crack the Sabres lineup this year (likely to be one of the worst in the league). He’s struggled with injuries in the last few years, and has visibly declined in ability. He will be a depth forward for Buffalo this season. He’s signed through 2017, at which point who knows where he’ll go.

2014-15 Season Expectations:

If there’s anything Sabres fans should be excited for, it’s the 2015 draft class. Buffalo has shown that they’re going all-out in an attempt to draft Connor McDavid first overall – they even announced that the Erie Otters, McDavid’s team, will play a game at the First Niagara Center this year. Many other teams will also be in the sweepstakes, however one has to think the Sabres are the favourite to come last again, and win the number one pick (of course, Jack Eichel is also an amazing prospect at number 2).

The Sabres will probably not be as bad as they were last season. The team (and the staff) has improved. In fact, they may contest for 29th place in the NHL. However, the playoffs are still miles away, and they have a long way to go before they can get back into the hunt. It would require a miracle for them to even get close. So, watch for the Sabres to rotate lots of young players through the squad, in an attempt to give prospects a taste of the NHL.

Sabres fans, take heart. This season is not likely to be fun to watch. However, the prize at the end could be sweet. Connor McDavid is a generational talent, who could be the franchise centre in Buffalo for years. The 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres will not be a good team. But it’s all in the name of a rebuild.

Up next in Puck Drop Preview: The Detroit Red Wings.

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