April 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Calgary Flames center Sam Bennett (63) celebrates with defenseman Deryk Engelland (29) his goal scored against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Redinger, Senior Editor
There is no reason to believe that the Buffalo Sabres can’t be a very dangerous team next year. The roster is going to have a very different feel towards it. With the addition of Jack Eichel (provided he doesn’t decide to stay in school, and Tim Murray doesn’t lose his mind at the draft and trade the number two pick to get Connor McDavid), Evander Kane, and the rest of the team that is in place – why can’t the Buffalo Sabres be a contending hockey club next season?
With all that being said, I don’t think the Buffalo Sabres are going to need to do anything major this off season to make a splash and add anything drastic this offseason.
1) They were a very poor offensive team. They had a problem shooting the puck, they had a problem scoring goals. How much of the team was actually trying to score goals based on who they were playing with? Most guys were playing to try and get out of Buffalo based on the urging of Ted Nolan.
This created a rift in the locker room, you had guys trying to make the Buffalo Sabres their home, guys trying to cement themselves as leaders in the locker room, and guys that are just skating the end of their careers. The team is going to have a much different feel on the ice next season, and that is going to account for an increased offensive production from players that should be playing at a higher level.
2) Goaltending is another question mark that the Buffalo Sabres should be addressing. But I digress to the comments made by fans and local media types.
We have to trade (insert goalie name here) because he is keeping us in games or winning hockey games we should be losing!
Arturs Irbe did a bang up job with the goalies that he was given with a very bad hockey team in front of them. I am not saying that a better team could change the level of Anders Lindback, but with goalies of the future still developing, why not let Lindback try another season?
Your not going to create major in roads with the this team next year. You might stand a chance at a playoff spot as a dark horse candidate – and you might be very dangerous because guys will be playing, like this years Calgary Flames without a care in the world because the expectations are that you aren’t supposed to win.
Let it ride Tim Murray, because there are two things that will happen with the role of the dice. You will not make the playoffs and be in on next years draft lottery. With three spots up for grabs, your odds of moving up will be better.
If you make the playoffs, your young players, your core of the Buffalo Sabres future are going to get some experience under their belts that will help this team in the long run.
What say you o’ fan of the Buffalo Sabres – what moves this off season will make this team what we really want in Buffalo?
Next: Is Ryan Miller Ever Going To Get His Head Straight?
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