Since we are a little over a month out to the start of Sabres 2010-2011 season, I decided to start doing some preview articles for the team. Now, I always try and shake things up in trying to be different than other blogs. So, I’m just going to ask 50 questions (Sounds like a good number) and provide the answers to some serious and not so serious questions. I’ll probably post a bunch of these posts for the next month.
50) Who is the most important player for the Sabres?
Easy answer: Matt Ellis…I kid, it’s still an easy one. Ryan Miller is the end all be all for the Buffalo Sabres. He’s the major reason the Sabres won the division and had a 100 points. Miller was 41-18-8 with a 2.22 GAA and a SV% of .929. He made countless saves and what he did at the Olympics for Team USA should prove that he’s the franchise for this team. But beyond the numbers, Miller didn’t get much help last year from his teammates. Sure, some players like Tyler Myers and Jochen Hecht played well throughout. However, the team put so much pressure on Miller to save the day on nightly basis that it was always a given that he would be the first star of the game. The Sabres didn’t even have a player in the top 30 in points or goal scoring. Frankly, if it wasn’t for him, the Sabres would have been screwed last year. As for this season, the Sabres not doing much in the off season sure didn’t help Miller’s cause. So, just like last year, Miller is going be the backbone for the team.
49) Who will be the most improved player for the Sabres?
I’m going Thomas Vanek. Look, Vanek had an awful 09/10 season. Besides his weekend explosion against the Senators and his game one performance against the Bruins, last year could have been his worse season for the Sabres. It’s weird, because most fans have been crapping all over the likes of Roy and Connolly, yet, Vanek disappointed more so last year than anyone else on the club. He looked to be pressing a bunch and rumors persisted that he wasn’t a 100% healthy. Not only were those factors, but Vanek just didn’t have that creativity that made so many Sabres fans think he was going to be the franchise when he entered the league. However, I just think that Vanek is going to rebound this year. I think after seeing how he ended the season on a hot streak which was due to him being healthy, just makes me think he’s going to rebound. Plus, he’s a hell of a talent and has two 40-goal seasons on his resume which doesn’t hurt. Hey, he struggled the following season after getting his big contract, but blew up the year after. So, maybe he’s a hot/cold player when it comes to seasons.
48) Will Cellino and Barnes continue to run the commercial scene for Sabres games?
Hell, yes! Why wouldn’t they? These guys have been running commercials in the Buffalo scene for decades. Heck, I was at a NYC Gym late at night and watching Seinfeld on the treadmill, when all of a sudden a Cellino and Barnes commercial in Spanish came on the air. Anyways, they will be on every commercial block. Plus, you have to wonder which Sabres player they are going to choose to help donate money to some charity for every goal they score. Last year, it was Derek Roy and he didn’t exactly light the goal lamp on fire. Oh, those poor kids. I just hope they don’t lure in Miller to do a spot for them. Come on, Ryan, you know you’re a national figure who can get Pepsi. Ugh, I just remembered their stupid weird graphics, when the duo would come up during the game and wish us a Merry Christmas and a Happy Valentines day. So, freaky and dumb. Oh, and how about that jingle? “Do-do-do-do-do”
47) Who should be on the top line for the Sabres?
I’m going with Vanek-Roy-Pominville. Sorry, I’m just going to keep it basic and award the Sabres highest paid forwards to be the top line. Is there something wrong with that? Roy is the best play-making centerman on the team (Sorry, Timmy, but you don’t score goals), Vanek is a scorer who can work the corners or stay in front of the net, and Pomer can master the one-time shot. All-in-all, I just want to have a team full of lines that can do different things. Have the checking line, the scoring line, the energy line, and the line that is just a mix of the rest. I know Roy and Vanek have been on the same line a number of times and have grown stale on some occasions, but they have also enjoyed their best seasons together. I also think Ruff needs to play his best players as much as possible. Sorry, but Vanek should be playing 20 minutes a game and his ice time shouldn’t be comparable to Matt Ellis.
46) Who is the most underrated player on the Sabres?
Hmm…that’s a tough one. I’m going with Derek Roy.
Whoa, what?
Yes, and I’ll tell you why: Roy gets a ton of heat from the fans, media and especially Lindy Ruff. I’m sure we all know what some of Roy’s shortcomings are: He turns over the puck way too much, he freelances, and he’s a whiner. Plus, and I know this may sound stupid, he just doesn’t resemble a Buffalo athlete who fans would want to root for. I don’t know, but when I see footage of his crib on NHL.com, I can’t help but think that all of South Buffalo must be rolling their eyes. All insults and kidding aside, Roy is arguably the Sabres 2nd best forward on the team behind Vanek. He also doesn’t make a ton of money for his production (Pominville anyone?) and he tends to put up a respectable 65-75 points a year. However, when you talk to some people in Buffalo, they act as if this guy is Rob Johnson and Miro Satan wrapped up into one. Again, Roy gets his numbers and maybe if he didn’t have to be counted on as the #1 center, he might not be so vilified.
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