I’m trying to limit my expectations for the Sabres this year. My heart tells me they will surprise a lot of people and steal the division. My head tells me that they will barely squeak into the playoffs. I really don’t know what to think. I’m excited about the start of a new season though. I honestly like a lot of the players on this team.
I don’t care what most people think about Vanek; he is becoming one of the better goal scorers in the league. If he stays healthy he’s good for 50 goals. His attitude and effort problems are over. The more I hear his opinions regarding the team, the more I like about him. He has become a real professional.
Just like Miller, who without a doubt epitomizes the word professional better than any Buffalo athlete in the last ten years. I’m really interested to see how he plays this year. He’s in an intense competition with Thomas from the Bruins to start for team USA in the Olympics. Even the most casual Sabres fans can attest to Miller’s intense competitiveness. Team USA’s snub of Miller in 2006 has to at least make the Olympics more relevant for him this time around.
I also love the fact that Roy spent time in the Canadian Olympic camp. That must have been such an honor for him. Plus, playing with such hockey icons and leaders like Jarome Iginla, Scott Niedermayer, and Ryan Smyth, among others, must have taught him something, right? Right!?
Despite all the past struggles they’ve had, I do have a lot of confidence in the offensive leaders on this team (Vanek, Connolly, Stafford, Pominville and Roy). I think all five will have very productive years. I like that Kennedy is starting in Buffalo this year. He should be able to create a lot more opportunities for others. That’s important because the Sabres don’t seem to be loaded with players capable of consistently finishing their scoring opportunities. They will need all the chances they can get. If the Sabres want to be a more consistent team, they need to establish more scoring depth. Hecht was a disappointment on so many levels last year. I’m not expecting much from him this year. Grier has always had trouble finishing his scoring chances. It’s a big year for both Paille and MacArthur but I’m not hopeful that either will deliver.
The defense is in a bit different of a situation. It’s definitely a unit that’s in transition. Rivet and Lydman seem to be fairly secure in their position with the team this season. They just signed Montador and like his grit so he will get plenty of playing time. The key to this unit’s success will be whether or not Sekera and Butler can progress and take the next step forward. They already are established NHL level defensemen. But clearly, the Sabres are hoping these guys along with Myers and Weber will lead this unit for years to come. They didn’t bring in Rivet to be the best defensemen on this team for the length of his contract. For all the talk about Myers heading into the season, it’s Sekera and Butler who are most important to the defense this season.
It will be interesting to see how Tallinder plays. He could have a big year. If he wants another contract, he’ll have to prove his value. I’d like to think Tallinder is pretty motivated heading into this year considering how close his feet are to the fire. I always liked his game when it seemed his head was in the right place. I think he’ll play better than last year, a lot better.
Sometimes players and teams need to fail before they can succeed. Sometimes they just need a taste of failure to understand what it takes to win. Maybe this is the year the players on this team pull it together. They need to bring it every single game. Any team in the league is capable of beating them if they don’t give their best effort. The problem never seemed to be a lack of skill from their premier players. The problem was always execution and effort.
I don’t expect that to totally change either. I’m not ignorant to the signs. They are going to struggle at times this year. They’ll be a bit more consistent but some teams are going to be able to soundly beat them. Say what you want about the Capitals, Flyers or Penguins, but those teams simply have more talent than the Sabres. Some nights, the Sabres will be unable to match what opponents throw at them.
One thing you have to like about the Sabres going into this year is the level of competition amongst the forwards and defensemen. If anyone struggles, there are players that are very capable of filling in. It should be interesting. I think they finish the regular season 3rd in the division and 7th in the conference.