"Aarif Deen - DailyNHLGrind"
MI • United States • 24 Years Old • Male
30 in 30 Preview: Day 3: Buffalo Sabres
Posted 7:34 AM ET | Comments 18
Over the Next 30 days I will be Previewing each of the National Hockey League Clubs heading into the 2011-12 season starting from the Anaheim Ducks. Day 3 of the series belongs to the official AarifDeenReport Buffalo Sabres Preview.
Please resort to myhockeybuzz page for previews of teams falling before this team.
Follow me on Twitter @AarifDeenReport please.
2011 Review:
What a roller coaster year Buffalo Sabres faithful endured this last season. It all started with a lot of hype heading into the year with Ryan Miller once again ready for another great season. However this was overshadowed with a problem the franchise was facing regarding ownership. Nothing can break a team down like an ownership group that is looking to rid themselves of their franchise. Just simply looking at the Tampa Bay Lightning and how they were totally destroyed soon after winning the cup in 2004 shows what an ownership turmoil can do to any given team. Lightning fans were on top of the world before losing Khabibulin, Boyle, Richards and many, many more of their fan favourites before the team finally found a stable ownership with Jeff Vinik just last year.
The Sabres have spent numerous years being a low profile NHL team that implements their own salary cap based on their owners request. However, long reigning coach Lindy Ruff has been able to put together a great team year in and year out. However, no matter how many playoff appearances they can achieve, nothing can anger a fanbase more than losing star players year after year. Buffalo just could not afford to keep their stars because of this ownership group lead by Tom Golisano. Drury, Briere, Campbell and many others were lost to free agency over the years.
However, on the 2nd day of the 2nd month this year, Buffalo Sabres franchise was sold. Total rights of the franchise were turned over from Golisano to Pennsylvania businessman Terry Pegula, a name that has become very well known all over Buffalo today. Pegula, a lifetime fan of the franchise was excited to take over and let it be known to Sabres management that they have full permission to spend up to the salary cap ceiling. This was shown instantly at the trade deadline when Sabres GM Darcy Regier went out and acquired $4 million scoring forward Brad Boyes from the St. Louis Blues.
Buffalo was able to squeeze into the playoffs as the 7th seed and matched up to take on the Philadelphia Flyers. Using an average offense, and a great defense lead by towering Tyler Myers, the Sabres pushed the previously crowned Eastern Conference Champions to their limit. The series went to game 7 before Philadelphia took home the series and won it in front of Flyers faithful at the Wells Fargo Center. The 2011 Buffalo Sabres season was now over. However, the Terry Pegula era has officially begun.
Major Players Added:
Like stated above, Terry Pegula took over the ownership in full force and GM Darcy Regier’s time to shine was now. It is no longer a time where the Sabres lose their stars on July 1st when free agency kicks in. Nor is it a time where the Sabres are one of the lowest spending teams in the NHL. This season starts an era of Buffalo Sabres hockey fans will be sure to enjoy as much as, if not more then the time of the “French Connection” and the time of Dominik Hasek.
Robyn Regehr: On the second day of the NHL draft, the Sabres took advantage of the high salary Flames team and made a deal to acquire defensive defenseman Robyn Regehr. They sent over Chris Butler and prospect Paul Byron to Calgary in exchange for Robyn Regehr, former Sabre Ales Kotalik, and a 2nd round draft pick. Regehr is one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL and has played a sound physical defensive game in Calgary since he started his career in 2000. He and Tyler Myers could really be a match made in heaven. Sabres fans have every reason to be excited for Robyn. On the other side, Robyn who wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause until Pegula convinced him to, is all but sold and excited to be a part of this newly build Sabres team.
Christian Ehrhoff: Regier made his next big move before July 1st even struck. After the Islanders traded for the rights of Ehrhoff from the Canucks shortly after Vancouver’s Stanley Cup run, Islanders GM Garth Snow set a deadline to sign Christian, but was unable to do so. Therefore, he shipped over the rights to Christian Ehrhoff to the Sabres who were looking to make a splash in the short 2 days time they had to sign him. Well, a hair over 48 hours is all Regier and Pegula needed to convince Ehrhoff that Buffalo was the place he will call home for the next decade. The Sabres and Christian agreed upon a monster 10 year deal worth $40 million US. with an annual cap hit of $4 million, his salary comes at a respectable amount for the 29 year old defenseman who has shown his brilliant play in Vancouver scoring 44 and 50 points during his two year Vancouver tenure. However, this front loaded contract will see Ehrhoff earn $18 million in the first 2 years of the contract, and $22 million spread upon the final 8 years. Clearly enough to convince him to spend his career, and possibly life in Buffalo.
Ville Leino: leading up to Canada day, Sabres faithful saw their team make a splash and restructure their defensive corpse giving them depth to build around franchise defenseman Tyler Myers. However, on July 1st Pegula and Regier together were able to bring in a big offensive piece to Buffalo to join the newly built team. Although coming at a hefty cost, Leino has shown in Philadelphia that he can be counted on to score goals and set up many as well. Given a limited role in Philadelphia, Ville will see his ice-time, as well as his production on the rise in Buffalo. While many will question his 6 year $27 million deal ($4.5 million average) now, in the upcoming years Leino will have every opportunity to prove that he is worth the money, and will become a fan favourite in Buffalo in no time!
The Others: Ales Kotalik, the other piece in the Regehr trade was acquired by the Sabres as a salary throw-in by Calgary looking to clear cap space. Judging by the fact that he has yet to officially choose a sweater number back on his former team, Kotalik looks like he may fall victim to being buried with his $3 million cap hit in the AHL to clear cap space for the Sabres who are now over the cap by a few million dollars. Paul Szczechura was recently signed out of Tampa Bay as a move to add depth to the Sabres lineup.
Who Was Lost:
Tim Connolly signed on with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 2 years worth $9.5 million
Marc Mancari signed on with the Vancouver Canucks for 1 year worth 525k
Steve Montador signed on with the Chicago Blackhawks for 4 years worth $11 million
Patrick Lalime announced his retirement from the National Hockey League
Rob Niedermayer signed on with HC Lugano in Switzerland
Mike Grier is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent
Full-Team Look-in:
Just seeing the additions the Sabres made to an already built playoff team excites the everyday Sabres fan. However what really makes it better is trying to put together the line combinations of this team without feeling like your giving a great player a role that doesn’t fit him. Sabres have as much as 8 possible players that can fill a top 6 role, with many prospects lead by Windsor Spitfire star Zack Kassian looking to make a splash at training camp. It has been a while since Sabres fans have been this excited heading into a season, however, this year Buffalo will be atop all the NHL sites and will be given a lot of press time. With Vanek showing flashes of great leadership last year, its safe to say that he could very well be the next named captain of this team to kick-off the Pegula era. However, Pominville, Stafford, and even Myers are also possibilities and could very well each make a case for their own as well. Sabres do face some cap problems at the moment. However these problems are different then every other year. Usually facing the problem of reaching the cap floor, this year the Sabres are currently over the cap ceiling by $3+ million and must shed salary before the season begins. And as stated above, Ales Kotalik may fall victim to the salary cap and could possibly be starting his season with the minor league Rochester Americans of the AHL.
The defense the Sabres are heading into 2012 with is a lineup that one should avoid as much as possible. With 21 year old franchise cornerstone Tyler Myers only getting better and building off of his Calder trophy win just two years ago, he will have a lot more help this year then he has in years past. Jordan Leopold and Myers will round out a top 4 that will also include newly acquired Christian Ehrhoff and Robyn Regehr. However, the Sabres facing a logjam on the blue line as well have Andrej Sekera, Mike Weber and Marc-Andre Gragnani, fighting for the final 2 spots. Shaone Morrisonn seems like the projected odd-man out who will face the same problem that Kotalik faces. With or without Morrisonn, Sabres will head into this training camp with a far better group to man the blue line then they have in a long, long time.
In goal, Buffalo is set for the present and for the future. Starting goaltender in Buffalo is none other than American hero Ryan Miller. Currently entering his third year of a 5-year deal, Miller can be one of the games best goalies on any night, and is as stable as they get in the crease. He will be holding that starter job in Buffalo for the foreseeable future at least. Backing him up no longer is veteran Patrick Lalime. This year Jonas Enroth will finally be given his well deserved spot as the full backup of the Sabres starter Ryan Miller. signed on for the upcoming season, Jonas can take a lot of pressure off Miller and is good for 20-25 games leading into the postseason. Sabres faithful will not have to worry about the man in the blue paint for a long time.
Deen’s Projected Lineup:
Thomas Vanek - Derek Roy - Drew Stafford
Tyler Ennis - Ville Leino - Jason Pominville
Nathan Gerbe - Paul Gaustad - Brad Boyes
Jochan Hecht - Cody McCormick - Patrick Kaleta
Tyler Myers - Robyn Regehr
Christian Ehrhoff - Jordan Leopold
Andrej Sekera - Marc-Andre Gragnani
Ryan Miller
Jonas Enroth
Deen’s Prediction:
Sabres will head into the postseason in a tight battle with the Philadelphia Flyers for 4th in the East. The battle for home ice advantage will be won by the Flyers. However, this will set up the first round rematch of the 4th seeded Flyers against the 5th seeded Sabres. Last year, Buffalo took the Flyers to game 7 and this year they will do the same. Once again, the Flyers will prevail and the Sabres will walk back home empty handed after round 1. However, in the coming years the Sabres will be a force to reckon with. Expect Thomas Vanek to eclipse the point-per-game average, and prove to the Sabres he is the leader of this franchise.
Thanks for reading! Follow me on twitter @AarifDeenReport please!
Please resort to myhockeybuzz page for previews of teams falling before this team.
Follow me on Twitter @AarifDeenReport please.
2011 Review:
What a roller coaster year Buffalo Sabres faithful endured this last season. It all started with a lot of hype heading into the year with Ryan Miller once again ready for another great season. However this was overshadowed with a problem the franchise was facing regarding ownership. Nothing can break a team down like an ownership group that is looking to rid themselves of their franchise. Just simply looking at the Tampa Bay Lightning and how they were totally destroyed soon after winning the cup in 2004 shows what an ownership turmoil can do to any given team. Lightning fans were on top of the world before losing Khabibulin, Boyle, Richards and many, many more of their fan favourites before the team finally found a stable ownership with Jeff Vinik just last year.
The Sabres have spent numerous years being a low profile NHL team that implements their own salary cap based on their owners request. However, long reigning coach Lindy Ruff has been able to put together a great team year in and year out. However, no matter how many playoff appearances they can achieve, nothing can anger a fanbase more than losing star players year after year. Buffalo just could not afford to keep their stars because of this ownership group lead by Tom Golisano. Drury, Briere, Campbell and many others were lost to free agency over the years.
However, on the 2nd day of the 2nd month this year, Buffalo Sabres franchise was sold. Total rights of the franchise were turned over from Golisano to Pennsylvania businessman Terry Pegula, a name that has become very well known all over Buffalo today. Pegula, a lifetime fan of the franchise was excited to take over and let it be known to Sabres management that they have full permission to spend up to the salary cap ceiling. This was shown instantly at the trade deadline when Sabres GM Darcy Regier went out and acquired $4 million scoring forward Brad Boyes from the St. Louis Blues.
Buffalo was able to squeeze into the playoffs as the 7th seed and matched up to take on the Philadelphia Flyers. Using an average offense, and a great defense lead by towering Tyler Myers, the Sabres pushed the previously crowned Eastern Conference Champions to their limit. The series went to game 7 before Philadelphia took home the series and won it in front of Flyers faithful at the Wells Fargo Center. The 2011 Buffalo Sabres season was now over. However, the Terry Pegula era has officially begun.
Major Players Added:
Like stated above, Terry Pegula took over the ownership in full force and GM Darcy Regier’s time to shine was now. It is no longer a time where the Sabres lose their stars on July 1st when free agency kicks in. Nor is it a time where the Sabres are one of the lowest spending teams in the NHL. This season starts an era of Buffalo Sabres hockey fans will be sure to enjoy as much as, if not more then the time of the “French Connection” and the time of Dominik Hasek.
Robyn Regehr: On the second day of the NHL draft, the Sabres took advantage of the high salary Flames team and made a deal to acquire defensive defenseman Robyn Regehr. They sent over Chris Butler and prospect Paul Byron to Calgary in exchange for Robyn Regehr, former Sabre Ales Kotalik, and a 2nd round draft pick. Regehr is one of the most underrated defensemen in the NHL and has played a sound physical defensive game in Calgary since he started his career in 2000. He and Tyler Myers could really be a match made in heaven. Sabres fans have every reason to be excited for Robyn. On the other side, Robyn who wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause until Pegula convinced him to, is all but sold and excited to be a part of this newly build Sabres team.
Christian Ehrhoff: Regier made his next big move before July 1st even struck. After the Islanders traded for the rights of Ehrhoff from the Canucks shortly after Vancouver’s Stanley Cup run, Islanders GM Garth Snow set a deadline to sign Christian, but was unable to do so. Therefore, he shipped over the rights to Christian Ehrhoff to the Sabres who were looking to make a splash in the short 2 days time they had to sign him. Well, a hair over 48 hours is all Regier and Pegula needed to convince Ehrhoff that Buffalo was the place he will call home for the next decade. The Sabres and Christian agreed upon a monster 10 year deal worth $40 million US. with an annual cap hit of $4 million, his salary comes at a respectable amount for the 29 year old defenseman who has shown his brilliant play in Vancouver scoring 44 and 50 points during his two year Vancouver tenure. However, this front loaded contract will see Ehrhoff earn $18 million in the first 2 years of the contract, and $22 million spread upon the final 8 years. Clearly enough to convince him to spend his career, and possibly life in Buffalo.
Ville Leino: leading up to Canada day, Sabres faithful saw their team make a splash and restructure their defensive corpse giving them depth to build around franchise defenseman Tyler Myers. However, on July 1st Pegula and Regier together were able to bring in a big offensive piece to Buffalo to join the newly built team. Although coming at a hefty cost, Leino has shown in Philadelphia that he can be counted on to score goals and set up many as well. Given a limited role in Philadelphia, Ville will see his ice-time, as well as his production on the rise in Buffalo. While many will question his 6 year $27 million deal ($4.5 million average) now, in the upcoming years Leino will have every opportunity to prove that he is worth the money, and will become a fan favourite in Buffalo in no time!
The Others: Ales Kotalik, the other piece in the Regehr trade was acquired by the Sabres as a salary throw-in by Calgary looking to clear cap space. Judging by the fact that he has yet to officially choose a sweater number back on his former team, Kotalik looks like he may fall victim to being buried with his $3 million cap hit in the AHL to clear cap space for the Sabres who are now over the cap by a few million dollars. Paul Szczechura was recently signed out of Tampa Bay as a move to add depth to the Sabres lineup.
Who Was Lost:
Tim Connolly signed on with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 2 years worth $9.5 million
Marc Mancari signed on with the Vancouver Canucks for 1 year worth 525k
Steve Montador signed on with the Chicago Blackhawks for 4 years worth $11 million
Patrick Lalime announced his retirement from the National Hockey League
Rob Niedermayer signed on with HC Lugano in Switzerland
Mike Grier is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent
Full-Team Look-in:
Just seeing the additions the Sabres made to an already built playoff team excites the everyday Sabres fan. However what really makes it better is trying to put together the line combinations of this team without feeling like your giving a great player a role that doesn’t fit him. Sabres have as much as 8 possible players that can fill a top 6 role, with many prospects lead by Windsor Spitfire star Zack Kassian looking to make a splash at training camp. It has been a while since Sabres fans have been this excited heading into a season, however, this year Buffalo will be atop all the NHL sites and will be given a lot of press time. With Vanek showing flashes of great leadership last year, its safe to say that he could very well be the next named captain of this team to kick-off the Pegula era. However, Pominville, Stafford, and even Myers are also possibilities and could very well each make a case for their own as well. Sabres do face some cap problems at the moment. However these problems are different then every other year. Usually facing the problem of reaching the cap floor, this year the Sabres are currently over the cap ceiling by $3+ million and must shed salary before the season begins. And as stated above, Ales Kotalik may fall victim to the salary cap and could possibly be starting his season with the minor league Rochester Americans of the AHL.
The defense the Sabres are heading into 2012 with is a lineup that one should avoid as much as possible. With 21 year old franchise cornerstone Tyler Myers only getting better and building off of his Calder trophy win just two years ago, he will have a lot more help this year then he has in years past. Jordan Leopold and Myers will round out a top 4 that will also include newly acquired Christian Ehrhoff and Robyn Regehr. However, the Sabres facing a logjam on the blue line as well have Andrej Sekera, Mike Weber and Marc-Andre Gragnani, fighting for the final 2 spots. Shaone Morrisonn seems like the projected odd-man out who will face the same problem that Kotalik faces. With or without Morrisonn, Sabres will head into this training camp with a far better group to man the blue line then they have in a long, long time.
In goal, Buffalo is set for the present and for the future. Starting goaltender in Buffalo is none other than American hero Ryan Miller. Currently entering his third year of a 5-year deal, Miller can be one of the games best goalies on any night, and is as stable as they get in the crease. He will be holding that starter job in Buffalo for the foreseeable future at least. Backing him up no longer is veteran Patrick Lalime. This year Jonas Enroth will finally be given his well deserved spot as the full backup of the Sabres starter Ryan Miller. signed on for the upcoming season, Jonas can take a lot of pressure off Miller and is good for 20-25 games leading into the postseason. Sabres faithful will not have to worry about the man in the blue paint for a long time.
Deen’s Projected Lineup:
Thomas Vanek - Derek Roy - Drew Stafford
Tyler Ennis - Ville Leino - Jason Pominville
Nathan Gerbe - Paul Gaustad - Brad Boyes
Jochan Hecht - Cody McCormick - Patrick Kaleta
Tyler Myers - Robyn Regehr
Christian Ehrhoff - Jordan Leopold
Andrej Sekera - Marc-Andre Gragnani
Ryan Miller
Jonas Enroth
Deen’s Prediction:
Sabres will head into the postseason in a tight battle with the Philadelphia Flyers for 4th in the East. The battle for home ice advantage will be won by the Flyers. However, this will set up the first round rematch of the 4th seeded Flyers against the 5th seeded Sabres. Last year, Buffalo took the Flyers to game 7 and this year they will do the same. Once again, the Flyers will prevail and the Sabres will walk back home empty handed after round 1. However, in the coming years the Sabres will be a force to reckon with. Expect Thomas Vanek to eclipse the point-per-game average, and prove to the Sabres he is the leader of this franchise.
Thanks for reading! Follow me on twitter @AarifDeenReport please!
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09 30 in 30 Preview: Day 1: Anaheim Ducks
10 30 in 30 Preview: Day 2: Boston Bruins
11 30 in 30 Preview: Day 3: Buffalo Sabres
12 30 in 30 Preview: Day 4: Calgary Flames
14 30 in 30 Preview: Day 5: Carolina Hurricanes
16 30 in 30 Preview: Day 6: Chicago Blackhawks
17 30 in 30 Preview: Day 7: Colorado Avalanche
20 30 in 30 Preview: Day 8: Columbus Blue Jackets
22 30 in 30 Preview: Day 9: Dallas Stars
26 30 in 30 Preview: Day 10: Detroit Red Wings
27 30 in 30 Preview: Day 11: Edmonton Oilers
28 30 in 30 Preview: Day 12: Florida Panthers
10 30 in 30 Preview: Day 2: Boston Bruins
11 30 in 30 Preview: Day 3: Buffalo Sabres
12 30 in 30 Preview: Day 4: Calgary Flames
14 30 in 30 Preview: Day 5: Carolina Hurricanes
16 30 in 30 Preview: Day 6: Chicago Blackhawks
17 30 in 30 Preview: Day 7: Colorado Avalanche
20 30 in 30 Preview: Day 8: Columbus Blue Jackets
22 30 in 30 Preview: Day 9: Dallas Stars
26 30 in 30 Preview: Day 10: Detroit Red Wings
27 30 in 30 Preview: Day 11: Edmonton Oilers
28 30 in 30 Preview: Day 12: Florida Panthers
04 Offseason Review: Part 1 of 6
05 Offseason Review: Part 2 of 6
06 Offseason Review: Part 3 of 6
16 Offseason Review: Part 4 of 6
05 Offseason Review: Part 2 of 6
06 Offseason Review: Part 3 of 6
16 Offseason Review: Part 4 of 6
26 2014-15 Preview: Atlantic Division Edition
27 2014-15 Preview: Metropolitan Division Edition
28 2014-15 Preview: Pacific Division Edition
29 2014-15 Preview: Central Division Edition
27 2014-15 Preview: Metropolitan Division Edition
28 2014-15 Preview: Pacific Division Edition
29 2014-15 Preview: Central Division Edition
10 Realizing The Love We All Have For Saku Koivu
11 The RFA Guessing Game: Eastern Conference Edition
12 The RFA Guessing Game: Western Conference Edition
11 The RFA Guessing Game: Eastern Conference Edition
12 The RFA Guessing Game: Western Conference Edition
13 MILESTONE DANNY: Avs win 2-1 Over Bruins
15 KESSEL KILLS: Avs fall in OT
17 GOALIES DOWN: Avs blow 3-1 lead - Lose Berra To Injury
22 – Winless in Four
25 – Avs Score 7 Goals, Route Van
26 ’ Overtime Loss hands Winnipeg Third Win of The Season
29 – Avs Lose to San Jose Despite Solid
31 – MacKinnon, Fourth Line Lead Avs to SO
15 KESSEL KILLS: Avs fall in OT
17 GOALIES DOWN: Avs blow 3-1 lead - Lose Berra To Injury
22 – Winless in Four
25 – Avs Score 7 Goals, Route Van
26 ’ Overtime Loss hands Winnipeg Third Win of The Season
29 – Avs Lose to San Jose Despite Solid
31 – MacKinnon, Fourth Line Lead Avs to SO
01 ’t Solve The Overtime Period, Steal a Point in
02 Lack of 60 Minute Effort From The Avs Leads To Loss
04 Avs Blow Two-Goal Lead, Lose Again
07 – Beat The Leafs in a Shootout
08 Avs fall short of a Comeback, lose to Flyers in Philadelphia
10 Iginla finally finds a willing combatant
11 Islanders shut out the Avalanche in a one-sided game
13 Avs battle for a shootout victory at Madison Square Garden
15 Duchene scores late, Avs defeat Devils for second straight v
21 Ovechkin scores late, Capitals beat the Avs by one goal
23 Avs erase slow start to defeat Carolina 4-3 with Pickard
26 ‘Cardiac Kids’ are here to stay—Avs erase three goal deficit
27 Avs put up a fight but lose to Chicago 3-2
30 Avs overpower the star-studded Stars
02 Lack of 60 Minute Effort From The Avs Leads To Loss
04 Avs Blow Two-Goal Lead, Lose Again
07 – Beat The Leafs in a Shootout
08 Avs fall short of a Comeback, lose to Flyers in Philadelphia
10 Iginla finally finds a willing combatant
11 Islanders shut out the Avalanche in a one-sided game
13 Avs battle for a shootout victory at Madison Square Garden
15 Duchene scores late, Avs defeat Devils for second straight v
21 Ovechkin scores late, Capitals beat the Avs by one goal
23 Avs erase slow start to defeat Carolina 4-3 with Pickard
26 ‘Cardiac Kids’ are here to stay—Avs erase three goal deficit
27 Avs put up a fight but lose to Chicago 3-2
30 Avs overpower the star-studded Stars
02 Avs lose to Montreal, still unable to get to .500
05 Avs blow another game in overtime, lose to Calgary at the Sa
05 The wheels come off at the MTS Centre
09 Rinne shuts out the Avs
12 Pickard plays spectacular as Avs come back to win shootout
14 Avs and Blues put on a show, Oshie wins it in Overtime
18 Stud Pickard shuts down the best, but Avs lose 1-0
21 Avalanche getting healthy at the right time
21 Spotlight on the 2010 NHL Draft: Mrazek and Pickard
23 Avs trending upwards after dominating St. Louis
28 PP boosts the Blackhawks in 5-2 win over Colorado
29 Brodeur, Blues shut down the Avs
05 Avs blow another game in overtime, lose to Calgary at the Sa
05 The wheels come off at the MTS Centre
09 Rinne shuts out the Avs
12 Pickard plays spectacular as Avs come back to win shootout
14 Avs and Blues put on a show, Oshie wins it in Overtime
18 Stud Pickard shuts down the best, but Avs lose 1-0
21 Avalanche getting healthy at the right time
21 Spotlight on the 2010 NHL Draft: Mrazek and Pickard
23 Avs trending upwards after dominating St. Louis
28 PP boosts the Blackhawks in 5-2 win over Colorado
29 Brodeur, Blues shut down the Avs
01 ’Reilly scores in overtime – Avs win last game of 2014
03 Avalanche shake off a desperate Oilers team with a shootout
04 Blue Jackets stun the Avs with last minute game-winning goal
08 Two Days Later: Varlamov still haunts the Blackhawks
09 Avs moving in the right direction after another big win
10 Colorado wins the big game, inching closer to playoff spot
12 Avs lose in Washington; Roy unhappy with penalty call
13 Avs lose in a shootout in Carolina; out-shot again
21 Avs look to move on from disappointing road trip
27 Avs gain one point after late goal from Holden
31 Avs split with Nashville; Iginla records 1,200th point
03 Avalanche shake off a desperate Oilers team with a shootout
04 Blue Jackets stun the Avs with last minute game-winning goal
08 Two Days Later: Varlamov still haunts the Blackhawks
09 Avs moving in the right direction after another big win
10 Colorado wins the big game, inching closer to playoff spot
12 Avs lose in Washington; Roy unhappy with penalty call
13 Avs lose in a shootout in Carolina; out-shot again
21 Avs look to move on from disappointing road trip
27 Avs gain one point after late goal from Holden
31 Avs split with Nashville; Iginla records 1,200th point
28 "
Chris Butler... not Bobby Butler
Boyes will not be playing center any more... the plan is to convert Leino back to center which is where he played all his life. Plus I don't see Regehr playing top pair minutes. He hasn't averaged over 22 minutes a year in.. ever. I believe he will play 2nd pair with Leopold.Go Blue!
sorry about that. I changed the mistake. And it sure is a great time to be a Sabres fan am I right? Enjoy this upcoming season LaFontaine16!
Not bad. Can't agree with your playoff assessment though, but hey, that's why its an opinion. Missed the loss of Niedermayer and Grier. And a quick tip about the writing, be a little less liberal with the word "however" heh.
Its okay no big deal. Its always a great time to be a Sabers fan. Hockey Heaven is buzzin for sure!
Thanks for reading. As for Neidermayer and Grier, I just went back and fixed that mistake. Thank you for the constructive criticism as well. going back over it, I've noticed I used the word "however" a total of 14 times. So I'll try to stay away from repeating that mistake. Thanks again for reading screecwe! Follow me @AarifDeenReport on twitter.
No prob bud. Lookin forward to reading the rest! Go Sabres;)
Leino is going to play center, his natural position before he came into the NHL. Leino said he feels more comfortable there, and his faceoff percentage, when he did play center in a limited role for Philly last year, was incredible at over 57%. So move Boyes back to RW, where he belongs.
noted. I had mistaken the two. I remember Boyes was close to switching back to Center, however after a second glance, Leino will be playing center for Buffalo. I've changed it. Thank you for reading and commenting powerslave! follow me on twitter @AarifDeenReport please!
the reason for the blank .. typed too much and ran out of internet ink . there is a limit or it blanks out . not sure the number ,but thats the reason why
They insulted Drury by 1 not dealing with him till Briere was gone and 2 by making an offer that was way below his value originally. And this past season we were millions below cap. At first Tom G did spend... but his spending trailed off greatly towards the end.
drury and management both said they spoke in oct and drury was under the impression a deal was done but never got the contract to sign, it was about 4 mil less then what he signed with rangers, then after season they offered same $ that rangers did, they were about 5-6 mil under cap and ppl think and talk like they are always like 10-15 mil under the cap and its just not true
i really don t no what buddy is smokeing.there is no possible way the sabres lose out in the first round.defence is way to strong and miller won t be playing 65 to 70 games this year.leino is a great replacement for the tinman.much much stronger on the defensive side of the game.and will have solid goaltending.look foward to at least a second round playoff match and then anything can happen after the first round.go butterknives go.
Sabres easily are one of the best in the East this year. However they're just gonna end up unlucky matching up against Philadelphia in the first round. If they play Tampa, Montreal, Rangers, or even Boston in the first round, they'll advance no doubt. Philadelphia is too good a team to lose to Buffalo in the first round. This is of course all my opinion. thanks for reading.
I wouldn't count on beating Tampa necessarily. I think Philadelphia has been crippled losing Richards, Carter, and Leino and I don't think the addition of Bryzgalov will be enough to counter those losses. So, with the Sabres getting better and the Flyers getting significantly worse, I don't see the Flyers winning in a series, if it came to that.
Also, Myers is nowhere near being our franchise defenseman YET. Last year's performance, particularly in the first half of the year, was borderline atrocious at times. And Vanek having leadership abilities? I remember watching him last season and watch him skate in circles looking confused as if he'd never played hockey before.