People who are panicking that the team is garbage based on these first few games, and are going to be bad next year too, are massively underrating the importance of good center play, and seemingly are unaware of how Tim Murray is setting the stage.
Ennis and Hodgson will not be centers next year. Reinhart will hopefully have the big physical maturation jump over the summer into next year. Not to mention Grigorenko could be up now and playing more respectable center play than anybody not named Zemgus, if Tim Murray wanted to get max points for the Sabres. He rightfully does not.
Moulson Girgs Hodgson
Ennis Grigorenko McEichel
Foligno Reinhart Larsson
Deslauriers McCormick Gionta
Gorges Myers
Psysk Risto
Weber McCabe
Enroth
This is not a Cup Contender, but it is a playoff contender. People need to remember that the defensive woes caused by Mez and Benoit will not be there next year. The lack of puck support and defensive commitment will not be there by our goddawful centers next year. This is all rather conservative imo, because this all ignores the possibility of Zadorov being ready next year, or any one of our young forward prospects taking an unexpected leap. Or resigning Stewart, Stafford, or any other Free agent or Trade move that Murray could make, with obscene amounts of assets, prospect and cap wise. Breathe easy people, it is tough to watch some nights, but this roster has little to do with next years roster.
There are at least 5 players who are not on the roster right now who will be next year and they will be significant improvements over the players they will replace.