NHL Season Preview: Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres


Last Season's standings: record- 52-24-6 for 110 points. The Sabres finished in 2nd in the Northeast Division and 4th in the Eastern Conference.

In: Teppo Numminen D; Jaroslav Spacek D (prev. team: Edmonton Oilers); Henrik Tallinder D; Andrew Peters F; Brian Campbell D; Martin Biron G; Ales Kotalik F; Jason Pominville F; Toni Lydman D; Tim Connolly F; Paul Gaustad F; Maxim Afinogenov F; Daniel Briere F; Adam Mair F; Dmitri Kalinin D; Marek Zagrapan F; James Patrick AC; Jiri Novotny F; Michael Ryan F; Chris Thorburn F

Out: Jay McKee D (new team: St. Louis Blues); Mike Grier F (new team: San Jose Sharks); Doug Janik D (new team: Tampa Bay Lightening); Ben Guite F (new team: Colorado Avalanche); Michal Leighton G (new team: Anaheim Ducks); J.P. Dumont F (new team: Nashville Predators); Jan Hjeda D (via trade w/ Edmonton Oilers); Tyler Pyatt D (via trade w/ Vancouver Canucks)

Season Outlook: Good. The Sabres had a busy off-season trying to re-sign 12 players who filed for arbitration. The Sabres came out pretty good, except for star forward J.P. Dumont who the Sabres chose to let walk away. This year's team heading into training camp looks about the same as last year's team which made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. They have arguably the best goaltending tandem in the game today in Ryan Miller and Martin Biron, who are both proven and capable starters. Up front, the Sabres have Briere and Connolly and Afinogenov back to give goalies nightmares. Their defense is likely the Sabres achilles heel heading into the season, as this crop of d-men are still pretty young, although they proved they could skate with the best of the opponents last year.

Season Prediction. Look for the Sabres to take 5th in the Eastern Conference, 2nd in the Northeast.