Offseason Review: Sabres

The Sabres took the same approach to this offseason as they do with most... few outside moves, build from within. Management and coach Lindy Ruff seem content with the team they have and expect some of their younger players to step up and play bigger roles.

The biggest problem in Buffalo last season wasn't talent... it was health. When healthy, Buffalo definitely has a team capable of making noise in the playoffs. Unfortunately the injury bug bit them hard last season.

The Sabres re-signed forwards Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur and Matt Ellis and defenseman Andrej Sekera. Kaleta is trying to put his second half injury behind him and have a strong season.

Sekera is expected to build upon last year's 19 point effort and try to help replace some of the 45 points they lost when Spacek fled to Canada to help Montreal with their extreme makeover.

Buffalo's biggest loss is certainly Spacek. Twenty-two of his thirty-seven points came on the powerplay and that is not easy to replace...

... especially since Buffalo's defense got weaker with the addition of Montador. Ruff may want to really focus on teaching Montador how to handle the puck and not take penalties that even a pee-wee player knows are bad... often times at critical points of a game. Montador's time is Boston was largely disappointing and he has to prove he can get better. Buffalo also added defenseman Joe DiPenta, a former Duck. Despite the additions to the blue line, Buffalo would need to add another top four defender to really be a contender in the Northeast, especially after losing yet another defenseman, Teppo Numminen, to retirement.

Buffalo also seems unlikely to sign Afinogenov, who had a miserable season in a contract year. He often seemed distant and lazy and played with no heart. The Sabres will not miss him on the ice, as they could simply sign a mailbox to replace him.

Buffalo is basically set in goal with Ryan Miller. Before he went down with an ankle injury, Miller was his old, stone wall self and gave the Sabres a better shot at the playoffs than they really should've had considering all their injuries. If Miller can have a healthy season, he can make up for the short comings on D to a certain degree.

The Sabres definitely have enough weapons on offense to make some noise this season. Derek Roy started the season slow last year but still finished with 28 goals and 70 points. Vanek was having a phenominal season before an injury slowed him, but the sniper still finished with 40 goals and 64 points in 73 games, and all signs point to him building on that in the coming year. Pominville and Stafford are another pair of 20 goal scorers and should contribute even more to the Sabres attack this season.

And of course there is the oft injured Tim Connolly. Connolly must share the same gene pool as Marion Gaborik (and now that they're both playing in New York, perhaps they can share a hospital room). When healthy Connolly is a dynamic offensive force. In 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Connolly played in 48 games each season, scoring 40 and 47 points respectively. The Sabres took a bit of a risk and gave him a contract extension. If he can stay on the ice, the Sabres will be dangerous on offense.

It is clear what the Sabres' biggest challenge is... staying on the ice. If the majority of the team can stay off the IR, this team will go places. If Ryan Miller is in the net, this team has a chance every night regardless.