What Do The Sabres Need Offensive Wise?

The past few stories I have written have been mainly defensive-centric. So where does the offense exceed and fall? Let’s read on shall we?

I’ll start with the latter. In terms of lacking, the Buffalo Sabres main problem is that we do NOT have a go-to guy. Sure Thomas Vanek was on his way to a very great year this past season, but that makes me curious as to if he can repeat the same effort.

Apr 26, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing

Thomas Vanek

(26) during the game against the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Islanders 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

But putting all of our trust in Vanek isn’t the best way to go. Don’t get me wrong I really like Vanek. I think he has kept our offense alive the past few seasons. All I am saying, however, is that he needs help.

Or if the rumor mill turns to reality, we will lose one of our more consistent scorers, and then we will be in even more trouble.

If we could get Vanek a player that could go goal-for-goal with him, that would take a ton of pressure off of the man who could easily put up 40 goals.

As of right now, the projected forwards the Sabres have, according to sabres.nhl.com are:

Looking at the list of players who are on the market right now, there are some names that can definitely fill up the spots we need.

To make a long story short, I think that if we were to even come close to signing a big name offense-man, that would only solve some of the plaguing problems. There aren’t too many high scorers in the FA pool this offseason, with Vinny Lecavalier heading to the Flyers, Danny Briere going to the Canadiens, and Jaromir Jagr just signing to the Devils, there aren’t too many left.

May 12, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center

Derek Stepan

(21) carries the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period in game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Rangers won the game 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Rangers have some talent laying in Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan, which can help our LW’s and our C a bit. The Penguins still have Brendan Morrow out on the market, even though he is up in age, he may be able to give us some valuable leadership. The same goes to Jamie Langenbrunner, he is 38, and last year was a lost cause due to a torn lambrum, but even he has said that he is still willing to give it his all for a few more seasons.

Granted I am not saying that the team should throw him a phone call and offer a contract, but a pro tryout if no one else hits him up for a chance, why not take an opportunity like that?

Big names like Guillaume Latendresse also fill some spots, as Ottawa looks to drop a few players. Since the Sabres are looking for youth more than anything else as they build for the future.

Suggestion section: Go for Zuccarello, Stepan, Morrow, and Latendresse. Should we have enough cap space and the room for it, then give Langenbrunner a call.

What do you think so far? Who should the Sabres look at for the remainder of the offseason? Comment below.

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