Outlook on the Buffalo Sabres for the 2007/2008 Season

The Buffalo Sabres just came off their best season in franchise history. Everyone knew that they were a top team throughout the entire year. They solidified that claim by going out and winning the presidents trophy for the best record in the NHL. The only thing that was left for what looked to be an unstoppable team was a Stanley cup. However they struggled to win their first two series' and then were embarrassed by the Ottawa Senators in five games.

After their crushing defeat in the playoffs, the Sabres and their fans went into the off-season both nervous and excited. Everyone was nervous because two of their best players in Daniel Briere and Chris Drury were to become free agents unless they signed a deal with the team. On the flip side people were excited because one they figured the Sabres would sign one if not both Drury and Briere, and that the team would sin a few other players to make an already good team scary for the next year.

However as the off-season played out the Sabres managed to lose both Briere and Drury, sign their up and coming star in Thomas Vanek to a monstrous seven year 50 million dollar contract, and did not sign any new big name players. There is no way around the fact that the Sabres off-season was a complete disaster, caused mainly by the lack of motivation showed in the front office.

While the Sabres did undoubtedly go backwards from the president trophy winning team that they had, they still have a very good team, with a great chance to make another appearance in the playoffs. The lineup is now going to be led by the leading goal getter of last year in Thomas Vanek. Vanek has a chance to lead the league in goals as he was tied for fifth last season with 43 goals. Max Afinogenov, who is coming off an injury plagued season, has a chance to compete with Vanek for points if he can remain healthy. To round of their line from last year you have Derek Roy. Roy is coming off a 21 goal season, and has a potential to improve upon his numbers especially if the line stays together. Roy also has a little extra incentive in that many people feel he is not worth the contract that he signed, so therefore he has a chip on his shoulder to prove that he really is.

After taking a look at the top line from last year of Vanek, Afinogenov, and Roy, you cannot forget Tim Connolly. Connolly missed almost the entire season last year because of concussion problems, but before and even after his injury he showed the potential to be one of the best and most exciting players in the NHL. Only time will tell how much Connolly will contribute, mainly because of his injury potential. After Connolly the next person you have to look toward for his contribution is the young Drew Stafford. Stafford has the potential to surprise a lot of people this year, because he is so young and only getting better. Following Stafford you have the shootout ace in Kotalik, who you know will help the Sabres win many close games this year, with either his blistering slap shot, or his undeniable skill in shootouts. To round up the offense you have Hecht, a 19 goal scorer last year, which many considered to be an off year. Pominville, a 34 goal scorer and Gaustad, whom may not be the most offensively talented player on the ice, but he makes up for that in his leadership skills.

The Sabres struggled somewhat on defense last year, which is the reason many Sabres fans felt they were going to get a big name defenseman during the off-season. They obviously did not, but they will once again be able to rely on Ryan Miller, their top notch goaltender, to keep them in games, along with a few improving defensemen from last year. Brian Campbell leads the defense as arguably the best defenseman the sabers have, while showing that he has great captain potential. After Campbell you have Tallinder, Kalinin, and Numminen whom is coming off heart surgery in the off-season.

As you can see the Sabres are still a very good team, and if you happened to notice, I never mentioned that any of the current players would fill in for the loss of Briere and Drury. The reason for this is because this is a team with so much talent that the loss of those two will not be heavily felt, and therefore no one or two players need to step up to take their places. They are gone; there is no way around that. Sabres fans need to start to look towards the future of the team instead of worrying about the loss of Drury and Briere. If there is one thing that you can say the Sabres have on their side for sure, that is the fact that they know how to win, as they have been doing a pretty good job at it since the lockout, and will continue to do so.