Are the Buffalo Sabres contenders or pretenders?

Your comments are appreciated


http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...t_id=16918&user_id=251155

Michael,

Here's a blog I'd like to see, but would take some work:

Teams with salary cap issues this offseason, taking into account arbitration and RFA's, and who may be available from their D Corp.

Are the Buffalo Sabres contenders or pretenders?

Your comments are appreciated


http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...t_id=16918&user_id=251155
- ThomasBreen91

It's a good read.

They are clearly not cup contenders.

If they add a top 4 D they could be playoff contenders but there is a lot of ifs that need to happen. If they gel, If they get solid goaltending, If they add a top 4 D, If they young guys contribute right away.

They could sneak into the playoffs or they could need another year and they end up a lottery team.

Personally I think they are drafting in the 10th to 14th range.

It's a good read.

They are clearly not cup contenders.

If they add a top 4 D they could be playoff contenders but there is a lot of ifs that need to happen. If they gel, If they get solid goaltending, If they add a top 4 D, If they young guys contribute right away.

They could sneak into the playoffs or they could need another year and they end up a lottery team.

Personally I think they are drafting in the 10th to 14th range.
- Stripes77

I had said at the end of the season that I saw them placing between 7-12 in the next draft, so seems we feel pretty similar in terms of how they'll do this year. I think yours is a bit more accurate based on the trades and stuff that have happened since the end of the year though.

It's a good read.

They are clearly not cup contenders.

If they add a top 4 D they could be playoff contenders but there is a lot of ifs that need to happen. If they gel, If they get solid goaltending, If they add a top 4 D, If they young guys contribute right away.

They could sneak into the playoffs or they could need another year and they end up a lottery team.

Personally I think they are drafting in the 10th to 14th range.
- Stripes77

I 100% agree that they're are way too many variables to make any kind of accurate prediction.

With that being said...

If they finish in the 10-14 drafting range they would need 90 to 100 points. Without a crystal ball I think they land around 80 points which would be around the 4-7 pick....

It's a good read.

They are clearly not cup contenders.

If they add a top 4 D they could be playoff contenders but there is a lot of ifs that need to happen. If they gel, If they get solid goaltending, If they add a top 4 D, If they young guys contribute right away.

They could sneak into the playoffs or they could need another year and they end up a lottery team.

Personally I think they are drafting in the 10th to 14th range.
- Stripes77

Yeah - nice read - you might have wanted to discuss the D a bit though, or lack thereof

If we end up in 17th to 20th place overall, wouldn't it be nice to win the lottery, or a top 3 lotter pick? Matthews would be sick, and a great D at 2 or 3 would work also.

I had said at the end of the season that I saw them placing between 7-12 in the next draft, so seems we feel pretty similar in terms of how they'll do this year. I think yours is a bit more accurate based on the trades and stuff that have happened since the end of the year though.
- HonkFortheGoose

There will be growing pains for sure. I think adding a competent coach was key. Eichel and Reinhart will have their ups and downs. The D will have breakdowns. There will be 4 game winning streaks (what are those?) and 4 game losing streaks (we know those all too well) but they will be much better.

Who knows the Kane ROR Ennis line (my projected top line) might click off the bat and they might be a playoff team. My expectations are a little lower though.

There will be growing pains for sure. I think adding a competent coach was key. Eichel and Reinhart will have their ups and downs. The D will have breakdowns. There will be 4 game winning streaks (what are those?) and 4 game losing streaks (we know those all too well) but they will be much better.

Who knows the Kane ROR Ennis line (my projected top line) might click off the bat and they might be a playoff team. My expectations are a little lower though.
- Stripes77

I don't expect them to make the playoffs but to be quite honest if all the pieces fall into place the way they realistically could, it wouldn't surprise me if they do sneak into the playoffs.

A lot would have to go their way in order for that to happen, but it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility either.

I 100% agree that they're are way too many variables to make any kind of accurate prediction.

With that being said...

If they finish in the 10-14 drafting range they would need 90 to 100 points. Without a crystal ball I think they land around 80 points which would be around the 4-7 pick....
- bjm1717

I think they win about 40 games next year. Count in the loser point the least amount of loser points was 5 last year the most was 18. I see 87-90 points. I know its a huge improvement but the team is drastically different.

I don't expect them to make the playoffs but to be quite honest if all the pieces fall into place the way they realistically could, it wouldn't surprise me if they do sneak into the playoffs.

A lot would have to go their way in order for that to happen, but it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility either.
- HonkFortheGoose

From 30th to the playoffs in 1 year.

As crazy as it sounds . It would shock the crap out of everyone.

I don't expect them to make the playoffs but to be quite honest if all the pieces fall into place the way they realistically could, it wouldn't surprise me if they do sneak into the playoffs.

A lot would have to go their way in order for that to happen, but it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility either.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think the East is up for grabs besides the top spot. Like you said a lot needs to fall in place but it is possible.

From 30th to the playoffs in 1 year.

As crazy as it sounds . It would shock the crap out of everyone.
- cabin

Like I said, a lot would have to go their way, but I wouldn't rule it out either. I still think they end up picking right around 10ish though.

Like I said, a lot would have to go their way, but I wouldn't rule it out either. I still think they end up picking right around 10ish though.
- HonkFortheGoose

To make the playoffs . We have to go from 15th to 8th in the East.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article guys I really appreciate it. I agree that the Sabres are not quite a playoff team just yet, I would have loved to see them sign Oduya but now that he's signed I wouldnt mind seeing Cody Franson on the blue line. He's a decent consolation prize, but being a tml fan I must say he's kind of sloppy with the puck

Like I said, a lot would have to go their way, but I wouldn't rule it out either. I still think they end up picking right around 10ish though.
- HonkFortheGoose

I've already ruled it out...

To make the playoffs . We have to go from 15th to 8th in the East.
- cabin

I know. But like Stripes said, the East is wide open with the exception of the top spot. It is highly unlikely, as I believe a jump like that has never happened before, but you generally don't see teams go through the complete overhaul the same way we've seen this one happen either.

I know. But like Stripes said, the East is wide open with the exception of the top spot. It is highly unlikely, as I believe a jump like that has never happened before, but you generally don't see teams go through the complete overhaul the same way we've seen this one happen either.
- HonkFortheGoose

44 point difference last season. (22 wins)

How many games did we lose to not win ?

I think the East is up for grabs besides the top spot. Like you said a lot needs to fall in place but it is possible.
- Stripes77

I have Tampa, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Florida ahead of us in the division. Boston 50/50 depending on how that defence does.

Thanks for taking the time to read my article guys I really appreciate it. I agree that the Sabres are not quite a playoff team just yet, I would have loved to see them sign Oduya but now that he's signed I wouldnt mind seeing Cody Franson on the blue line. He's a decent consolation prize, but being a tml fan I must say he's kind of sloppy with the puck
- ThomasBreen91

I thought one of Cody's strengths was his first pass. His skating was a bit sloppy?

I have Tampa, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Florida ahead of us in the division. Boston 50/50 depending on how that defence does.
- Sabresfan-365

It may be more beneficial long term to not make the playoffs next year and get one more top 10 pick.

(a) Finish 8th and be one and done in the playoffs, or,
(b) Challenge for the playoffs, finish 9th or 10th, get lucky in the lottery and pick top 3 in BUFFALO.

I have Tampa, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Florida ahead of us in the division. Boston 50/50 depending on how that defence does.
- Sabresfan-365

Tampa and Montreal for sure. Florida, Ottawa, Detroit and Boston are all question marks in my eyes. Florida is still Florida until they prove otherwise (but they have the pieces to be good), Detroit is aging, Boston is a mess and Ottawa has a cheap owner.

It may be more beneficial long term to not make the playoffs next year and get one more top 10 pick.

(a) Finish 8th and be one and done in the playoffs, or,
(b) Challenge for the playoffs, finish 9th or 10th, get lucky in the lottery and pick top 3 in BUFFALO.
- turbo044

I don't see how making the playoffs this coming season makes us a one and done. The young pieces they added are theoretically only going to get better.

Tampa and Montreal for sure. Florida, Ottawa, Detroit and Boston are all question marks in my eyes. Florida is still Florida until they prove otherwise (but they have the pieces to be good), Detroit is aging, Boston is a mess and Ottawa has a cheap owner.
- Stripes77

I remember when that was said about us.

I remember when that was said about us.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yup, it cost us 2 captains, a good defensemen and all we got was Steve Bernier and the pick used to draft Ennis....

So Tyler Ennis for Drury, Briere and Soupy because of a cheap owner(s)...

Tampa and Montreal for sure. Florida, Ottawa, Detroit and Boston are all question marks in my eyes. Florida is still Florida until they prove otherwise (but they have the pieces to be good), Detroit is aging, Boston is a mess and Ottawa has a cheap owner.
- Stripes77

cheap owner may prevent them from being a real threat but in the meantime their present day roster is superior to ours. Agreed on Florida, i expect them to continue getting better though.