There’s nowhere to go but up for the Buffalo Sabres.
General Manager Tim Murray set out to make his team better following the Sabres’ bottom-of-the-barrel 2014-15 season, and that’s exactly what he did. Though they didn’t land Mike Babcock or No. 1 pick Connor McDavid, they did get 2009 Stanley Cup-winning coach Dan Bylsma and a franchise-changing forward in their No. 2 draft pick, Jack Eichel.
And while they aren’t yet the team they’re hoping to be, their strong off-season demonstrates they’re well on their way.
Head coach: Dan Bylsma
GM: Tim Murray
Team payroll: $59.38 million cap hit against $71.4 million cap
Last season record: 23-51-8
Goals for: 161
Goals against: 274
PP: 13.4 per cent, ranked 30th
PK: 75.1 per cent, ranked 30th
Corsi for per 60: 40.4 (via stats.hockeyanalysis.com)
Key acquisitions: Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Evander Kane (acquired at the trade deadline with Zach Bogosian, but has yet to make his Sabres debut), Jamie McGinn, Robin Lehner, David Legwand, Cody Franson
Key departures: Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, Cody Hodgson
Rookies to Watch
Jack Eichel: The second overall pick in 2015, behind only Connor McDavid, Eichel is a talent who would have been a top selection in almost any other year. The best young scorer to come out of the NCAA since Paul Kariya and Hobey Baker winner, there are some suggestions Eichel could actually outperform McDavid in Year 1. We’ll see.
Sam Reinhart: The second overall pick in 2014, Reinhart is another natural centre. He was a 100-point scorer in his draft year and scored another 65 in 47 games last season. Reinhart did get a taste of the NHL in 2014-15, scoring one point in nine games and also spent three games with the AHL Rochester Americans, scoring three points.
Jake McCabe: A second round pick in 2012, the soon-to-be 22-year-old McCabe drew high praise from Bylsma in July’s development camp. there may be a spot to earn on the bottom defence pair and this two-way defenceman is hungry to earn a role in the NHL after scoring 29 points in 57 games with AHL Rochester last season.
Highlight of 2014-15: Drafting their new franchise player, Jack Eichel.
Forwards: The Sabres suddenly boast plenty of young new faces up front. Hopes are high that Eichel and Kane can build quick chemistry and become a defenceman’s nightmare. Reinhart is aiming to break on to the roster and make a splash in his rookie year while veteran Matt Moulson is expected to rebound after his worst season yet. O’Reilly adds plenty of versatility to the Sabres’ top-six — good news for fellow youngsters Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons. (Note, O’Reilly’s impaired driving case has yet to be resolved and could become a factor this season.)
GRADE: B+
Defence: Until recently, the Sabres’ defence was lacking a true anchor. Enter Franson, who could fill the void as a patient, veteran blueliner the club needs. Add in a healthy Zach Bogosian, Josh Gorges‘ veteran presence and a quickly-developing Rasmus Ristolainen, and Sabres fans have reason to be optimistic.
GRADE: B-
Goaltending: Ex-Senator Robin Lehner has yet to lock down a true No. 1 role, but Murray, who scouted the young netminder while in Ottawa, believes he can be a starter. He’ll have his best chance to do so in Buffalo.
GRADE: B-
The Sabres will have a successful season if… their offence can find chemistry. Surely it will take some time for the new-look forward corps to really hit its stride, but if/when it does, watch out.
The Sabres will have a disappointing season if… their defence and goaltending can’t keep up. The Sabres’ new-found goal-scoring could be for naught if they can’t keep the puck out of their own net.
