Following a season in which the Buffalo Sabres were not terribly concerned with winning hockey games, as they aimed for prime lottery position, they are now ready to embark on the climb out of the cellar.

The Sabres drafted Jack Eichel second overall and traded for Ryan O’Reilly. Along with last season’s trade acquisition Evander Kane and perhaps top prospect Sam Reinhart, as well as holdovers Matt Moulson and Tyler Ennis, the Sabres are looking at a significantly upgraded roster. At least enough that they should be competitive.

Defensively, the Sabres are still a work in progress, though their late-summer acquisition of Cody Franson was a smart way to address the issue. Zach Bogosian is the workhorse and Josh Gorges is the shot-blocker, but young guys like Rasmus Ristolainen, Mark Pysyk and Jake McCabe should be part of the the future core.

For all of the Sabres’ improvements, there’s still uncertainty over their goaltending, as Robin Lehner has not yet established that he’s an NHL starter and Chad Johnson is coming off a subpar season.

In total, though, the Sabres should be significantly better. Not likely good enough to reach the playoffs, but leaps and bounds more competitive than they were last year.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

May 28: Sabres name Bylsma head coach

June 26: Sens trade Lehner, Legwand to Sabres

June 26: Eichel heads to Sabres as second overall pick

June 26: Avalanche trade O’Reilly to Sabres

September 9: Sabres sign Franson to two-year, $6.65-million deal

 

2015-16 BUFFALO SABRES

* Off-season Addition

 

Projected Lines

LW C RW
Evander Kane Ryan O'Reilly* Tyler Ennis
Matt Moulson Jack Eichel* Brian Gionta
Sam Reinhart Zemgus Girgensons Johan Larsson
Marcus Foligno David Legwand* Jamie McGinn*
Nicolas Deslauries Cody McCormick  

Fighting For Jobs: C Phil Varone, C Cal O'Reilly, RW Jerry D'Amigo

 

Projected Pairs

LD RD
Zach Bogosian Rasmus Ristolainen
Josh Gorges Cody Franson
Mike Weber Mark Pysyk
Carlo Colaiacovo*  

Fighting For Jobs: LD Jake McCabe, LD Matt Donovan, RD Chad Ruhwedel

 

Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
Robin Lehner* Chad Johnson Andrey Makarov

Off-season Departures: D Nikita Zadorov, C Cody Hodgson, C Mikhail Grigorenko, D Andre Benoit, G Anders Lindback

Projected Lineup: Mike Harrington/Buffalo News

 

SERAVALLI'S THREE QUESTIONS

1. Can Sam Reinhart make a permanent leap to the NHL?

2. Will Zach Bogosian or Josh Gorges skate with signee Cody Franson?

3. Who will move to the wing: Sam Reinhart or Zemgus Girgensons?

 

 

BUTTON'S TOP PROSPECTS

Top 2015-16 Prospect

C Jack Eichel (Boston University, H-East): Franchise centre who has the makings of being an elite, complete player.

Long-Term Prospect

D Jake McCabe (Rochester, AHL): Real steady, competitive and a leader. Capable of rounding out a nice core on the blue line.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

THREE-YEAR BREAKDOWN (LEAGUE RANK)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 82 (23rd) 52 (30th) 54 (30th)
Goals For 2.5 (T-22nd) 1.8 (30th) 1.9 (30th)
Goals Against 2.9 (T-22nd) 3.0 (25th) 3.3 (29th)
Power Play 14% (29th) 14% (29th) 13% (30th)
Penalty Killing 79% (26th) 81% (T-19th) 75% (30th)
SAT% Possession 45% (28th) 43% (29th) 38% (30th)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL vs. CAP - $60.1M/$71.4M

Coming up from rock-bottom like the Sabres does mean that Buffalo’s roster comes cheaply, though having cap room allowed the Sabres to add Ryan O’Reilly and Cody Franson this summer, moves that should expedite the rebuilding process.

 

PARTING SHOT