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Buffalo Sabres Schedule: Thoughts On 2015-2016

By Tim Redinger

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There is still a lot going to happen for the Buffalo Sabres between now and the night that the 2015-2016 NHL season kicks off.

In June the Buffalo Sabres will most likely be adding Jack Eichel to the mix. The NHL Entry draft in Sunrise, Florida could be a very interesting time for the Buffalo Sabres.  Shortly after that the free agency frenzy begins, and no doubt Tim Murray will be busy adding more pieces to his team to compete on a much better scale next season.

That leads us into the month of August, and then training camp.  Sure it will be most interesting to see if the Buffalo Sabres can return to Traverse City and reclaim their status as champions of the pre-season rookie tournament**. But what is really important is the almighty October, the night when magic happens and the curtain is lifted on another NHL season.

It really doesn’t take a special opponent to make opening night feel amazing, simply put two teams on a fresh sheet of ice for real – and your instantly taken back to a simpler time, your childhood reignited.

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Next season for the Buffalo Sabres is going to have a much different feel than the past two.  That is just common sense.  It is no longer an addition by subtraction type roster – it is time for the kids to step up, the right veterans to be in place.

Tim Murray is now in the mode of adding the players he thinks will be creating a championship roster.

Are the Buffalo Sabres going to be better next season – I think so, to the tune of double digit points in the standings.  No where near close enough in the standings to make the playoffs (but you never know).  So the question remains, who do we start the regular season against?  More importantly, does it matter?

If the NHL is smart, (and sometimes when looking at the schedule, they aren’t always) – and both Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel start the 2015-2016 regular season in the NHL – they should feature those two players in the first regular season game of the year.

It only makes sense.  Connor McDavid vs Jack Eichel is the new Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby.  Start a new era with your stars as the focal point of your season.

The only thing that doesn’t make sense there, is you will most likely be featuring the Buffalo Sabres and the Edmonton Oilers in your marquee match-up to start the regular season.  Not exactly a crowd draw or ratings spectacular.

What other options does the NHL have?

Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins

Certainly the Buffalo Sabres will want to start the Jack Eichel era on home ice, but why not start the season with the Boston Bruins?  Eichel is from Massachusetts, and played his NCAA hockey in Boston.  You start the Buffalo Sabres with a home and home against the Boston Bruins.

You have a rivalry there already between the Bruins and the Sabres, and Eichel gets to play his first NHL games near family.  It’s a win-win-win type situation.

Buffalo Sabres vs Chicago Blackhawks

There is a good chance that the Chicago Blackhawks will be raising a banner for the 2015 Stanley Cup.  Get the kid going by showing him what the ultimate prize is and how a fanbase reacts to such a ceremony.  Fuel the fire for the kid.

Oh, did I mention he would be going up against Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews?  Win-win-win.

Buffalo Sabres vs New York Islanders

The New York Islanders closed a chapter in team history by winning the last game at the Nassau Coliseum with a victory forcing game 7 against the Washington Capitals.  They didn’t manage to win game seven, so their next game will be in the Barclays Center.  The NHL is opening a new arena, why not showcase one of the leagues new class of elite against a franchise that looks poised to be competitive for several years?

What other options are out there – plenty.  Play him against Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin – put him on the biggest stage in the world in the Big Apple.  Just don’t waste anyone’s time by pitting the Buffalo Sabres against a team that won’t market Jack Eichel properly.

Who would you like the Buffalo Sabres to open the 2015-2016 regular season against?

***Editor Note – the Buffalo Sabres will not be playing in the Traverse City Tournament this year.  The field for the tournament will include the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues.

Next: Revisit the 2008 Draft with the Buffalo Sabres

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