**Rating system for “Plus/Minus” Series**
+3 = Major Upgrade
+2 = Upgrade
+1 = Slight Upgrade
0 = Same as prior year
-1 = Slight Dowgrade
-2 = Downgrade
-3 = Major Downgrade

Team: Buffalo Sabres
2010-11: 96 points, #7 in Eastern Conference

GOALIES

Returning: Ryan Miller, Jhonas Enroth

Arrivals: N/A
Departures: Patrick Lalime

Grade: 0

The Sabres have the same tandem for 2011-12 as they did for 2010-11. It just so happens that it is one of the best in the NHL, and will be for a long time.

DEFENSE

Returning: Tyler Myers, Jordan Leopold, Andrej Sekera, Mike Weber, Shaone Morrisson, Marc-Andre Gragnani

Arrivals: Christian Ehrhoff, Robyn Regehr
Departures: Steve Montador, Chris Butler

Grade: +3

The Buffalo Sabres drastically altered their top 4 on defense with the acquisitions of Ehrhoff and Regehr. They go from having a below average D corps to one of the best top 2 pairs in the East. The Sabres are currently over the cap, so it is expected that they will either trade or demote the disappointing Shaone Morrisson.

FORWARDS

Returning: Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy, Drew Stafford, Tyler Ennis, Jason Pominville, Brad Boyes, Jochen Hecht, Paul Gaustad, Nathan Gerbe, Cody McCormick, Patrick Kaleta, Matt Ellis

Arrivals: Ville Leino, Ales Kotalik
Departures: Tim Connolly, Mike Grier, Rob Niedermayer

Grade: +1

There are still some moves to make up front because of Buffalo being over the cap with 2 RFAs to sign, but regardless of how it plays out, the Sabres will be entering the 2011-12 season with a slightly improved group of forwards. Leino is an upgrade as a top 6 forward over Connolly, and Grier and Niedermayer are replaceable from within. Expect one of Kotalik/Gaustad/Hecht/Boyes to get traded in a salary dump and for one of their top forward prospects (Kassian, Adam, Foligno) to step in.

OVERALL RATING: +4
2011-12 Prediction: #4-#6 in Eastern Conference

The Buffalo Sabres are no longer handcuffed by spending restrictions, so it won’t be long before this is one of the best teams in the entire NHL.

The ink may still be wet on the legal documents that Terry Pegula signed to take over the Buffalo Sabres, but one thing is for certain, he wants to put his stamp on his team and fast.  Pegula is determined to bring a Stanley Cup to Buffalo and will spend away to make it happen if he has to.  He has said he wants to win a cup with his core three of Ryan Miller, Tyler Myers and Thomas Vanek, right now he is showing true to that commitment by allowing GM Darcy Regier free reign with the check book before and after the draft.

First off, the move to acquire veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr, former Sabre, Ales Kotalik and a 2nd round pick   from Calgary for Chris Butler and Paul Byron.  Add to that the acquisition of the negotiation rights of another top blueliner in Christian Ehrhoff (acquired from the Islanders whom was acquired from the Canucks) for a 4th rounder, and the Sabres have been busy before the free agent spree begins on July 1.

The Sabres  (without Ehrhoff’s potential contract) have $11 million to spend this off season.  If Buffalo can sign Ehrhoff, it would probably be in the range of $5-$6 Million a season so that takes the spending down to say $5million.  Make no mistake about it, Pegula wants the Sabres to win and quickly.  Here is what the Sabres need to do with the rest of that money on July 1 and after to make them the contender that Pegula wants them to be.

First off, sign Chris Drury.  The New York Rangers will be buying out the contract of Chris Drury and now the one time fan favorite in Buffalo could be a finishing touch that the Sabres need to take the next step.  Sabres fans can forgive Drury for leaving them in the past and I think with the buyout Drury can come cheap, maybe between $1.5-$2 million a year.  Drury is a proven winner in the past in winning a cup in Colorado and a change of scenery back to Buffalo could spark his career for one more long cup run.  Drury’s contract would have to be a one year deal at $2 plus million but if you can get him for about $1.5/season it may be worth a two year gamble.

The second thing the Sabres need to do is lock up another forward on top of Drury.  Players that could fit this description, and in the salary range of $2-$3 million might be ; Anti Miettinen (MIN), Scottie Upshall (CBJ), Jamie Langenbrunner (DAL) Erik Cole (CAR) or even Jussi Jokinen (CAR).   Buffalo needs some more scoring up front and a guy like Langenbrunner with all that playoff experience combined with Drury would make for a very gritty and character filled team to take Buffalo to the next level.  Upshall and Miettinen may be wishful thinking as they may cash in on a very bare free agent market this year but both those guys would fit in nicely in Buffalo.

It may be time to let go of some Sabres as well.  Buffalo should rid itself of Tim Connolly’s contract and not even attempt to sign him unless its for a deal under $2 million a season.  Even then I would be hesitant.  Connolly was good in a Sabre jersey but there is still too much expectation for this guy.  Let him go.  Another guy to let go, unless  you can get him cheap, is Mike Grier.  He is worth a lot on the PK and could be a great 3rd or 4th liner again this year if you can get him for about $1 million.  If not I would let him walk.

Finally, if the Sabres cannot sign Ehrhoff or any of the above mentioned players, they should dip into the Brad Richards sweepstakes and sign him for a long term deal at about $7-$9 million a season.  Richards is on everyone’s radar right now and why not throw Buffalo into this mix.  Richards is a great set up guy and imagine him playing with Vanek on the Powerplay.  This move will only work if they don’t sign Ehrhoff and or unload a big contract before July 1.

SABRES 2011-2012 Roster (Using CapGeek.com Calculator)

FORWARDS

Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m) / Derek Roy ($4.000m)
Drew Stafford ($4.000m) / Brad Boyes ($4.000m) / Jochen Hecht ($3.525m)
Ales Kotalik ($3.000m) / Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) / Nathan Gerbe ($1.433m)
Paul Gaustad ($2.300m)/Top 2 Center/ Top 6 Forward

DEFENSEMEN
Robyn Regehr ($4.020m) / Jordan Leopold ($3.000m)
Shaone Morrisonn ($2.075m) / Tyler Myers ($1.300m)
Andrej Sekera ($1.000m) / D man *Ehrhoff*

GOALTENDERS

Ryan Miller ($6.250m)
Back Up *Enroth*

Buffalo needs to land some players that can help now.  There is no waiting as this team probably has a three year cycle left with its current core of young players to take a run at a Stanley Cup.  One thing is for certain, unlike the past, the Sabres are willing to spend the money at free agent time to lure players to play in Buffalo and have that ability to do so for the first time in quite a while.

The Buffalo Sabres enter the 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Friday with the 16th pick in the first round.  An area they must look at addressing is that of a future number one center.  With saying that, Sabres GM Darcy Regier should shift his sights on moving somewhere into the top 10.  If he can’t do this then the Sabres should stay where they are at 16.  Any move from 11-15 by giving up too much just doesn’t make sense with this years draft crop.

A couple of reasons why Buffalo should look into trying to trade up in the draft a few spots is to potentially get Niagara Ice Dogs forward Ryan Strome or Drummondville star, and former #1 ranked player, Sean Couturier.  Sabre fans may remember Couturier from the past years World Jr’s hosted in Buffalo.

Sean Couturier (6’4, 197 pounds) Center, Drummondville (QMJHL)

Couturier has the ability to pile up points as was shown in the past two QMJHL campaigns by register 96 points in each of them.  He was the top scorer in the QMJHL in 2009-2010 as a seventeen year old.  Couturier brings a wealth of skill and great playmaking ability to compliment his 6’4 stature.  This is a kid who may slip a little in the draft as a “forgotten player” behind all the hype with Landeskog and Nugent-Hopkins.

Ryan Strome (6’0, 175 pounds) Center, Niagara (OHL)

Strome is another playmaker with some great speed.  He led his Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL in points this past year with 106 (33G, 73A) which was also good for 3rd in the OHL overall.  He is a gritty player with a knack to go to the net and grab loose rebounds and also isn’t scared to stand in front of the net to tip a shot.  Strome has some roots close to Buffalo by playing his junior hockey in Niagara and he would become a fan favorite if he ever donned a Sabres jersey on.

Couturier and Strome may be wishful thinking for the Sabres only if they can move up in the draft.  If they stay at the sixteen spot the Sabres should still look at top forward unless a top notch defense man is available.

Zack Phillips (6’1, 178 pounds) Center, Saint John (QMJHL)

Phillips has been compared to an Adam Oates style player.  A great playmaker who can play very strong on the puck, Phillips can be a great set up center in the future for the Sabres.  He was on a very talented Saint John Sea Dog team who captured the Mastercard Memorial Cup this season, which means Phillips knows how to win.

Brandon Saad (6’1, 208 pounds) Left Wing, Saginaw (OHL)

Saad was rated 8th overall by Central Scouting for the mid rankings but has dropped down a few spots now.  Saad has great speed and can be dominating at times both offensively and defensively.  A great two way player that may slip right into the Sabres hands.

Mark Scheifele (6’2 ,182 pounds) Center, Barrie (OHL)

Scheifele had a breakout rookie year in the OHL this past season by amassing 75 points (22G, 53A) in 66 games.  A kid with a great attitude who loves being at the rink Scheifele is also very good playmaker with good upside on the defensive end of the rink.  His biggest asset, which Sabre fans will love, is that he is a very hard worker on the ice.

Regier may have another option and that is to package the first round pick and another player to get a guy that can help the Sabres now.  With new owner, Terry Pegula, wanting to win a cup very soon this might be the way the Sabres go.  Look for Regier’s phone to be busy on draft day if a team below the Sabres is high on a player that may have slipped down in the draft.

Buffalo is also without a 2nd rounder in this years draft as they traded that pick to St. Louis in the Brad Boyes deal.  The Sabres may even trade down to get a second rounder in the early stages of the draft.  Either way they will be a very busy team come draft day.

SABRES PICKS IN THE 2011 NHL ENTRY DRAFT

1st round, 16th overall

3rd round, 77th overall

4th round, 107th overall

5th round, 137th overall

6th Round, 167th overall

7th round, 197th overall

Its the afternoon of game 7 in the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals and I can’t help to wonder what is going to happen in Philly tonight.  Will the Flyers get any goaltending help tonight?  Will Derek Roy be able to do anything after being out of action since December?  Can the Sabres give their fans one more win in Philly?

All of these questions will be answered tonight.  The Sabres should have put this series away on Sunday night in Buffalo but let a 2 goal lead slip away and they did miss numerous chances in overtime.  All must be forgotten and the Sabres need to get focused to face a very tough and hungry Flyers team tonight.  Buffalo will need to survive the first 1o minutes of the game.  The Flyers will probably come out swinging tonight and hit every Sabre in sight, including Derek Roy.

Roy coming back for this game puzzles me, but I guess when you have your “best player” available to come back in the post season you should bring him back when you can.  The question is how will Roy’s knee hold up?  Will he be scared to go at it with 100% with so much on the line?  Buffalo can only hope he comes in and isn’t rusty.  Especially with so much on the line, one turnover can be the difference in a hockey game like this and if you haven’t played in a while you may be prone to making more mistakes than usual.  However Roy’s playmaking ability could be vital to the Power Play which will need to be great in Game 7 for the Sabres.

Ryan Miller will have to be better than the usual Miller is tonight for Buffalo to win.  Speaking of goaltending,  which Flyers goalie will end the game tonight?  We all know Boucher will start, but can he be good enough for the Flyers to edge out Buffalo tonight?  The Sabres need to hope for a low scoring game and hope that Miller is the difference to advance on to the 2nd round.

Enjoy the game tonight folks!

Well they pulled it off.  The Buffalo Sabres pulled off an amazing second half of the NHL Season to vault themselves into the race for Lord Stanley’s Cup.  The Sabres locked up a post season appearance with a win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday night at the HSBC Arena in front of a frenzied crowd and in front of many Sabres alumni who were being honored that night for 40 years of Sabres hockey.  Now the fun really begins on Thursday Night in Philly for game 1.

This series will be a tough go for both teams.  The Sabres will have a hard time getting by a very solid Flyers defense, while the Flyers offense should have a very hard time getting pucks by a rested Ryan Miller.  It should be a very tight series with most games going to overtime or settled by one goal.  Here is how the series will break down.

FORWARDS: Edge Flyers

Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Danny Briere and Claude Giroux.  Ok now we just scratched the surface up front for the Flyers.  Add Nikolai Zherdev, Dan Carcillo, Scottie Hartnell and Stanley Cup Champion Kris Versteeg and the Flyers may have the most solid 3 lines in hockey.  Their centres are second to none and their size and speed can create alot of room for Briere and Zherdev to become creative.  The forecheck on some nights can wear a team down by the end of the 2nd period and add to the fact they love to crash the crease, Ryan Miller could be in for bumps and bruises before its all said and done.

The addition of Brad Boyes was needed for Buffalo up front at the deadline.  It did add some much needed scoring but the forwards will be in tough to get by a talented Philadelphia defense.  Vanek, and Stafford will have to bring their “A Game” every night if the Sabres intend to win this series.  Nathan Gerbe and Tyler Ennis will have some tough times finding open spaces with the big Philly Defense around them.  Scoring from all four lines will be needed for Buffalo to be successful.

DEFENSE: Edge Flyers

If and when Chris Pronger comes back the edge gets bigger.  Pronger is a playoff warrior to say the least and the Sabres faithful will be booing him by game 3 if he plays in one of the first two games.  He takes no prisoners.  Pronger will come back and anchor a very good defense core with the likes of Kimmo Timonen, Matt Carle, Andrej Mezaros and Braydon Coburn.  Waiting and lurking for ice time is Nick Boynton, Danny Syvret and Sean O’Donnell.  The Flyers defense is just plain nasty on some nights and will make getting to the net hell for the Sabres forwards.

With Jordan Leopold out of the lineup since March 25 the Sabres defense will have to rally around Tyler Myers and SteveMontador.  Montador is a great playoff performer who should thrive in this situation.  Myers has been Buffalo’ best defenseman the second half of the year and a reason they have been so successful.  Andrej Sekera and Shaone Morrision will have to be ready for the Philly attack at all times and try to stay healthy.

GOALTENDING: Edge Sabres

I have said it before and I will say it again, Ryan Miller is one of, if not the best goalie on this planet.  Miller and the Sabres have the clear edge in goaltending in this series.  Miller could be the single biggest difference maker and could take the Sabres on his shoulders and upset the Flyers.

The Flyers goaltending is their achilles heel.  After reaching the Cup Final last year with Michael Leighton and a slew of other goalies, they still do not have a consensus number one between the pipes.  My guess is Bobrovsky will be the starter in Game 1 and if he plays bad it could be musical chairs with Leighton and Brian Boucher maybe seeing starts this series.  If the Flyers get any sort of decent goaltending in this series it will be a quick series win for them.

Special teams will once again be the deciding factor with the Sabres Powerplay not coming through in the clutch and the very aggressive Philadelphia Penalty kill getting some big goals to swing momentum in this series.  The Flyers Powerplay will cause fits for the Sabres and this will ultimately be the difference in the series.

VERDICT: Flyers in 6

Buffalo made the first move towards the trade deadline late on Sunday night by acquiring former 43 goal scorer Brad Boyes from the St. Louis Blues for a 2nd rounder.  Boyes was a dominant goal scorer while playing for the Erie Otters of the OHL in the early 2000′s and is a proven winner leading Erie to a 2002 OHL Championship. Boyes adds some much needed scoring to the offense.  Despite only have 12 goals on the year, Boyes can put the puck in the net.

This probably won’t be the last deal the Sabres make before Mondays 3pm EST trade deadline.  Rumblings out of Nashville say they may be trying to pry Thomas Vanek out of Buffalo as well.  If this happens look for maybe JP Dumont, and a top prospect like a Ryan Ellis and a pick coming back in that deal.  Other rumblings about the Sabres have them interested in forwards Stephen Weiss and David Booth from Florida in a package deal.  Also still hearing rumblings about Brad Richards potentially landing in Buffalo but it seems as if Dallas will want 2 current NHL players and a top pick or prospect in return.

Enjoy Trade Deadline day and stay tuned to pro sports blogging for all the current news on deadline day

If the Buffalo Sabres want to get into the 2011 edition of the Stanley Cup Playoffs they will need to make a move or two at the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday.  Buffalo, who currently sits 3 points out of the the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, need to make a charge and fast.  Granted the Sabres do have two games in hand on the 8th place Carolina Hurricanes,  but that means nothing if you cannot win those games.

Buffalo has played very well as of late, even during a brutal 3 game home stretch where the Sabres went 0-3, with losses to Toronto, St. Louis and Washington.  Ryan Miller was his usual outstanding self during that stretch allowing only 6 goals in three games (the other goal allowed during that stretch was an empty netter to St. Louis)   The Defense played well as well during that period, the offense however was as dormant as can be.  Scoring 2 goals in 3 home games is a just cause for some panic.  This is where the trouble is in Sabre Land right now.  Buffalo needs to go out and acquire at least one offensivly gifted forward to spark this offense.  Yes the loss of Derek Roy hurt the Sabres early on in the year but the Sabres didn’t make any moves then to make up for it then and they have to now.  It would have cost the Sabres less to make the move a few months ago then it would have now but if they want to have playoff hockey at the HSBC Arena they have to make a deal, one of which they will probably over pay for.

I am not going to speculate on what players could fit the bill, but by looking at some of the non post season contending teams, like the Islanders, Avalanche, Oilers and Senators, there are a few decent “rental players” available for a short term lease.  Look for Buffalo to make at least one or two moves on Monday especially if new owner Terry Pegula tells Darcy Regier to make them happen so he can get some playoff revenue from a couple of home games.

Seeing as what has transpired recently in the wake of trade activities in the NHL, it could be a very busy Monday on the trade front on Monday.  Sit back and enjoy!

The combination of Buffalo’s home record of 6-9-1, and Buffalo’s issues with finishing their scoring chances, are leaving many Buffalonians with a pessimistic outlook on tonight’s game at HSBC Arena.

The way that Buffalo can squeak one or two points out of tonight’s game is by keeping gritty wingers like Milan Lucic out of the front of the net, using the body on softer “pass first” centers like Marc Savard, and limiting Boston’s opportunities in the slot.  In addition to that, Buffalo needs to put the puck on the net and create traffic in Rask.

Which Buffalo will show up tonight?  The Buffalo that shut the Blue Jackets out 5-0, or the Sabres that look like they do indeed deserve to be at the bottom of the standings?

What more can you say about the Buffalo Sabres right now.  The Sabres have been to extra time in the past five games and have finally won a game on home ice after going winless at the HSBC Arena in their first seven contests.

The reason for all this is a couple of factors.  First off Jhonas Enroth.  Enroth came into the starters role after All World Goalie Ryan Miller went down with an injury.  The Sabres had to come to terms that they needed to be better in front of Enroth and not rely on him as much as they did Miller.  Defensively the Sabres became a bit tighter which led to some key wins on the road to give them some confidence.  In their first few games, especially at home, Buffalo was very shaky on the back end.  They seem to have found a bit of a niche and the improved play of Tyler Myers probably took off some of the pressure.  I am sure that huge OT winner against Vancouver on Monday night will help ease some more pressure off Myers and maybe lead to him getting better in his overall game and stats, especially the plus minus department.

Secondly is the play of Thomas Vanek.  Vanek from my viewpoint has been the best Sabre the past two games.  His play on a line with Derek Roy and Rookie sensation Tyler Ennis, has been spectacular and reminded me a bit back to his rookie year.  I have been on Vanek the past few seasons for dogging it and not playing up to his contract, if he can continue playing the way he has the past few games he may just live up to that huge contract.  Vanek dazzled the Sabres faithful on Saturday night with a highlight reel goal that even brought me off my seat in that OT.  Vanek needs to keep up this play for the Sabres to be successful the rest of this season.

Ryan Miller seems to have returned to his old form since coming back from his injury.  He looked a bit tentative early on but has been very reliable since coming back.  The Sabres need Miller healthy to have any shot at a post season berth.

Some other Sabres thoughts from the past 5 games.  Despite a great record of 4-0-1 in those games the biggest problem that I see is that the Sabres gave up points in each of those games.  Granted points given up to out of conference teams like Vancouver don’t really bother me, but giving up points against teams like the Rangers and Leafs, two teams who may be battling it out for the final playoff spot come April, could come back and haunt them.

Finally, I must comment on how GREAT the overtime was in the Vancouver game on Monday night.  Just simply put it was one of the best and most entertaining OT’s I have seen in quite some time.  People will say that the NHL should go to a 4 on 4 format all the time, but I disagree, as coaches will find a way to have defensive systems in place to shut down teams again.  The OT was some old fire wagon hockey so to speak, with both teams going up and down ice having scoring chances off the rush and keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.  All the Sabres need now is to have all of their remaining games go to OT if these wins keep piling up.

Maybe Lindy Ruff is finally on the hot seat in Buffalo.  The Buffalo Sabres have started their 2010-2011 NHL season off and suffice to say it hasn’t been a good so far.  With a chance to get off to a great start as four of their first six games in the season were at home, the others in Ottawa and Chicago, the Sabres didn’t take advantage.   The Sabres are off to a 1-4-1, including 0-3-1 at home.  For a Sabre team that has been great at home for most of the past few seasons it has come as quite a surprise that they have to register a home win.

A dismal display of offense in the first few games has been a reason for this.  The Sabres have scored 12 goals in 6 games, while only allowing 18.  They have been on the wrong end of a 1-0 OT loss to New Jersey  and a 2-1 loss to rival Montreal.  Their power play ranks 26th in the league and PK has been average to say the least.  If not for the play of Ryan Miller the Sabres would probably be 0-6 and not be in any of those hockey games.  The first period of games also seems to be the demise of this team at home.  In the game against the Rangers they were outshot bad in the first which lead to a quick two goal deficit.  In the New Jersey game the Sabres just looked awful in the first being out shot 15-1, did I mention these shot totals were at the HSBC Arena.

Ruff needs to figure out a way to get the team motivated.  Derek Roy has been the lone bright spot up front for the Sabres, having scored 5 of the teams 12 total goals.  Buffalo needs to find some secondary scoring up front and even some emotion.  The team has lacked to play with any sort of fire or energy it has seemed all season. At times it seems as if the guys just are out there for a skate.  Top forward Thomas Vanek has been invisible along with Tim Connolly and Jochen Hecht.  These are the guys that need to step up and make something happen for Buffalo to have any success this season.

Defensively Tyler Myers has officially entered a sophomore slump.  He has not been nearly as consistent as he needs to be in the back end to anchor the defense. Jordan Leopold has been a positive for the team.   You can try and look at the fact that they have been in most games this year but their play should does not reflect that of a team in such tight games.

This could be a very long year in Buffalo, with the hope of yet another division title on the minds of the fans they may be in for a crash landing.  The Sabres need to right the ship and fast.  Whether or not that means making a few trades or roster moves to shake things up or maybe even finally change up the coaching staff after 14 seasons.  I respect Lindy Ruff and especially his longevity in the industry and in Buffalo.  Sometimes an image change may be the answer if the players aren’t motivated enough to want to play.

Either way you look at it this team could be out of the playoff picture the way the Leafs were last season by mid November.   You cannot afford to throw away points, let alone not win a game on your own ice after four chances.