The Tampa Bay Lightning are now members of the Atlantic Division, with new rivals and of course some old ones. Today we preview the Buffalo Sabres.
2013: 21-21-6. 12th in East.
CURRENT SALARIES: $54,007,857 (see full breakdown at capgeek.com)
DEPARTURES: Nathan Gerbe, Adam Pardy, Andrej Sekera, Jochen Hecht.
ARRIVALS: Henrik Tallinder, Jamie McBain, Jamie Tardiff
FORWARDS: The Sabres are very young up front and their prospects are still a year or two away from making an impact. Drew Stafford, Tyler Ennis, Steve Ott and Ville Leino return with Thomas Vanek, who can carry the team on his back for short periods of time. Vanek was limited to 38 games due to injuries last season, but still accumulated 20 goals and 41 points. Cody Hodgson, Mikhail Grigorenko and Marcus Foligno are developing nicely. Other young forwards that may contribute are prospects Joel Armia, Zemgus Girgensons, Corey Tropp and Johan Larsson.
DEFENSEMEN: Buffalo has many young talented defensemen led by Rasmus Ristolainen and Mark Prysk. The top four could be formidable if Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers gets back to form and Christian Erhoff continues his strong play. Andrej Sekera was traded to Carolina and the Sabres will miss his steady play and puck moving on the blue line. If Myers continues his struggles, the Sabres blue line will continue to struggle.
GOALIES: The incumbent Ryan Miller may not be in net long as trade rumors are swirling about the elite netminder. Buffalo is looking to deal Miller because he is a UFA and he certainly won’t return to the club after this season. If Miller isn’t up to his Vezina form, the Sabres goaltending will be just average. Close behind Miller is the diminutive Jhonas Enroth who, at this point, may be more consistant than Miller and deserving of more playing time. The Sabres front office has been preparing for Miller’s departure and has loaded the minor leagues with talented prospects.
SCHEDULE VERSUS LIGHTNING: @Buffalo October 8, @Tampa Bay October 26, @Tampa Bay March 6, @Buffalp March 29.
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