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Predictions
EAST
1. WAS
2. BOS
3. PHI
4. PIT
5. CAR
6. MTL
7. NJD
8. TBL
9. TOR
10. BUF
11. NYR
12. FLA
13. ATL
14. OTT
15. NYI
WEST
1. CHI
2. VAN
3. ANA
4. DET
5. SJS
6. CGY
7. CBJ
8. LAK
9. MNW
10. STL
11. DAL
12. EDM
13. NSH
14. PHX
15. COL
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
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2008-09 RECORD:
41-32-9
91 PTS
Playoff Result: N/A
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TOP SCORER: Derek
Roy, 70
TOP GOAL SCORER: Thomas Vanek, 40
TOP ASSISTS: Jason Pominville, 46
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PP RANK: 7
PK RANK: 14
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Ceiling: $56.8M
Sabres: $54.14M
Floor: $40.8M
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CLOSED
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| Jason Pominville will
earn $26.5 over next five seasons. Must come up with more than 66
points to erase still-painful memory of Daniel Briere’s exit.
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Ryan Miller
Solid goaltender, the Sabres
revealed how much they rely on him when he was injured in late
February. At 29, he has plenty of good years in him, and the Sabres
can look forward to his leadership on and off the ice for at least
the next five seasons.
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10. Buffalo Sabres
After two consecutive non-playoff seasons, the
Sabres added some grit but otherwise stood pat, in hopes that what’s in the
cupboard might yield a finish better than tenth.
The club stood by as top-flight defensemen Chris
Pronger, Mattias Ohlund and Francois Beauchemin, to name a few, signed with
or were traded to other clubs. Too bad for Buffalo, because the team’s most
pressing need is veteran defensemen.
The team added defensive depth with Steve Montador
(Boston/Anaheim). Chris Butler, who played 47 games as a rookie, looks to
appear more frequently, and Andrej Sekera will likely join Butler as fifth
or sixth D-man. Henrik Tallinder, Nathan Paesch and Toni Lydman round out
the bunch. Despite a few new faces and developing pros, the team’s defense,
other than captain Craig Rivet, is short on intimidation.
Into the breach steps a long, tall Texan by the name
of Tyler Myers, who played junior at Kelowna (WHL) and was drafted 12th
overall in 2008. At 6’7”, the team is itching to take advantage of Myers’
size.
To address the need for general toughness and
desire, Mike Grier returns for his second stint with the team, and Cody
McCormick arrives from Colorado.
Offense and goaltending are the club’s main
strengths.
Thomas Vanek (40 goals) has become a reliable
goal-producer, and hasn’t shrunk under the weight of his hefty contract (7
years, $50M). Derek Roy was good for 20 goals and has emerged as a leader in
the wake of the losses of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, two years ago.
A few forwards must bounce back or GM Darcy Regeir
and coach Lindy Ruff may finally reach the end of their respective tenures.
Paul Gaustad, Jochen Hecht and Dan Paille were good for only 12 goals
apiece, while $5M man Jason Pominville scored a ho-hum 20 after scoring 27
and 34 in the two years prior. Pominville’s upside is his health: He hasn’t
missed a game in three seasons. Drew Stafford also potted 20, but the club
will hope that he becomes a top-six star forward.
In goal, Ryan Miller (2.53GAA; .918SV%) is an elite
netminder. Patrick Lalime returns for a second season as backup.
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