Thoughts on the Buffalo Sabres?

[CraigsList]

They have made A LOT of changes everywhere. Their defense looks better with the newly acquired LHD. Eichel should play 82 games and is expected to be a PPG player. New coach, new management, should be an interesting team to look at. I expect them to make a playoff push, but think that they barely miss.

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[Snippit]

They should get at least 10-15 more points this year

- Injuries hit hard last year. If they sustain even an average amount of injuries this year and Eichel stays healthy, that will be a big boost

- The team had given up on DB, who was a terrible coach
- Scandella is an upgrade on Kulikov (who only played 47 games last year)
- Antipin/Bealieu are wild cards who could pan out
- Pominville upgrade on Ennis
- Internal improvements from young players (Eichel, Reinhart, Risto, McCabe)

But yeah, coaching will be the most important factor. Anything is an upgrade on Bylsma, but how big of an upgrade remains to be seen.

I think we just miss the playoffs because it's a tough division, but the team is in contention for a spot all year.

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

I think they have one of the best centre duos in the league, and if lehner stays healthy, he can make some noise. Wingers are middle Of The pack.

I'm not a believer in risto, but I think the scandella pickup is a very strong one.

Probably bubble team.

 

[Neuf]

So sick of prorated Eichel points. Play 82 and let's see what you got.

Not a fan of Buffalo, but really don't have a reason for that. Hope Eichel bursts into the top 10 points.

 

[Empoleon8771]

They're the Winnipeg Jets of the East IMO. They should be better because they have a good team on paper, but coaching has held them back severely.

 

[TeddyBare]

Love their forwards, and depth at center, plus their forward prospects.


Not a big fan of their D. Ristolainen is overrated when he isn't on the PP.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Lets see how consistent they can be. Bubble team

 

[Machinehead]

Decent team in a lousy division

Could make the playoffs

 

[nbwingsfan]

They finally make the playoffs. Eichel shows just how good he really is.

 

[Los Patos de Anaheim]

Eichel should hit 90 points, Ristolainen will continue to improve, Reinhart can break out for 60ish points. They will ****** not just miss the playoffs and make it in 18-19.

 

[Pyrophorus]

Better than the other team the OP has asked about.

 

[34]

Buffalo has a solid team. Expect them to make the playoffs this season.

 

[Erndog]

Apparently not many people have any thoughts on Buffalo.

11 posts? lol yeeesh


Edit: Instead of just throwing shade, I should add my thoughts.

I think Buffalo underperformed last year because of a combination of a number of things (Eichels injury, Ennis forgetting how to play hockey, some duds on defence and poor coaching).

I think they will be significantly better this season. Eichel is one of my favourite players in the league and I see him approaching 35 goals and around 80 points. The coaching/system will be better and the D should be a little better as well (Scandella will be a big help). Still iffy on whether they make the playoffs (if Reinhart ever takes a step they probably will) but I will say I see them JUST missing out by 2-4 points. A big improvement in overall play.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Team I am most excited to watch this year. I'll be watching every game that is not blacked out (and when the Leafs aren't playing). I want to see more of Eichel in an environment free from excuses.

I think they improved a lot. Not sold on their goaltending, still don't think they have a top of the league defense or forward depth, and no true #1 D. However they are a playoff team and will take huge strides this year.

 

[Insomniac99]

They were one of the most injured teams last year. And of those injuries, a lot of them were major pieces of the team.

The players were pretty disenfranchised with Bylsma and his system as well.

With the upgrades to the team, a healthier year, and a new coach with some real defensive experience, I expect them to be competing for a playoff spot.

 

[zeke]

Health should help.

Still don't like their D or their depth much though.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Team I am most excited to watch this year. I'll be watching every game that is not blacked out (and when the Leafs aren't playing). I want to see more of Eichel in an environment free from excuses.

I think they improved a lot. Not sold on their goaltending, still don't think they have a top of the league defense or forward depth, and no true #1 D. However they are a playoff team and will take huge strides this year.

What

His team was trash and his pace was 77 points. What was being excused

 

[Aladyyn]

Apparently not many people have any thoughts on Buffalo.

11 posts? lol yeeesh


Edit: Instead of just throwing shade, I should add my thoughts.

I think Buffalo underperformed last year because of a combination of a number of things (Eichels injury, Ennis forgetting how to play hockey, some duds on defence and poor coaching).

I think they will be significantly better this season. Eichel is one of my favourite players in the league and I see him approaching 35 goals and around 80 points. The coaching/system will be better and the D should be a little better as well (Scandella will be a big help). Still iffy on whether they make the playoffs (if Reinhart ever takes a step they probably will) but I will say I see them JUST missing out by 2-4 points. A big improvement in overall play.

It's just hard to gauge the team for numerous reasons. Bylsma was really bad, Housley is probably better but how much better and how much impact the change will have is up in the air. Sabres fans are optimistic, but we probably have more question marks coming into the season than any other team.

 

[Aladyyn]

Also please stop throwing shade at Reinhart. Dude's been the team's best 5on5 forward for 2 years now and last season Sabres were a top 3 xG team in the league with him on the ice and bottom 3 without him. He's good. He's legit. He's only going to get better with a coach that's not actively sabotaging him.

 

[scrubadam]

They have made A LOT of changes everywhere. Their defense looks better with the newly acquired LHD. Eichel should play 82 games and is expected to be a PPG player. New coach, new management, should be an interesting team to look at. I expect them to make a playoff push, but think that they barely miss.

will you be doing one for the habs?

 

[scrubadam]

They're the Winnipeg Jets of the East IMO. They should be better because they have a good team on paper, but coaching has held them back severely.

agree 100%. A team that is always on the cusp but can't break through.

Hously is highly touted but he is essentially an NHL coaching rookie.

Part 3 of their rebuild, wouldn't surprise me if in 2 years they go for part 4.

 

[Ovechclutch]

Eichel will assert himself as a top 5 player in the NHL, just a feeling.

 

[Aladyyn]

agree 100%. A team that is always on the cusp but can't break through.

Hously is highly touted but he is essentially an NHL coaching rookie.

Part 3 of their rebuild, wouldn't surprise me if in 2 years they go for part 4.

Always on the cusp? The Sabres have literally underperformed for 1 season...

 

[scrubadam]

Always on the cusp? The Sabres have literally underperformed for 1 season...

Sabers haven't made the playoffs in the last 5 years.

Last time they made the playoffs was 2011. They are a team that was "tanking" but haven't gotten out of the tank phase.

Losing is easy, turning it around and becoming a consistent winner is the hard part.

 

[Sabreality]

Lets see how consistent they can be. Bubble team

pretty much this. lots of hope & optimism this year, but I need to see it before i put them in the playoffs. Some will say no playoffs would be a failure, I disagree, even if they finish 9th or 10th and miss out by a few points, thats a great step up in Housleys 1st year.