Where will this year's Sabres finish?

[sabrebraves]

As the roster is CURRENTLY assembled, where do you think the Sabres will finish in this year's standings? Obviously, the roster could change quite a bit still, but I think the sabres will be back somewhere between the 6 and 8 seed in the East. I think that Craig Rivet is a fantastic addition to the defense, and was exactly what they needed. Sekera and Weber are a bit more experienced and will both be solidly in the lineup by the end of the year. As long as Spacek can continue the great year from last year, this should be an improved defense. Pair that with one of the league youngest and best offensive lineups, and I think the playoffs are in sight once again. The sabres have seemingly always done their best when expectations were low (see two years ago), and they have pretty low expectations this year from what I am reading on this board.

[daryls61]

Sabres finish no better than 6th, but could make noise in the playoffs if miller gets hot.

[shotgun]

i'll let you know in april

[bps21]

I'm just terrible at predictions.

I will say this though...I wasn't overly impressed with any of the teams in the East last year outside of Pittsburgh (who will be good again) and sometimes Montreal (ditto).

They can place anywhere from 5th to 10th and not surprise me.

...

Just like last year!

[keyron79]

With the CUP BABY!!!

[TheAnswer74]

Sabres win the Northeast and finish 2nd behind the Pens.

[two4trippn]

4th in the East - ECF again but out in 7 AGAIN. I'll take it though, beats being a Leaf fan.

[buffm]

As the roster is CURRENTLY assembled, where do you think the Sabres will finish in this year's standings? Obviously, the roster could change quite a bit still, but I think the sabres will be back somewhere between the 6 and 8 seed in the East. I think that Craig Rivet is a fantastic addition to the defense, and was exactly what they needed. Sekera and Weber are a bit more experienced and will both be solidly in the lineup by the end of the year. As long as Spacek can continue the great year from last year, this should be an improved defense. Pair that with one of the league youngest and best offensive lineups, and I think the playoffs are in sight once again. The sabres have seemingly always done their best when expectations were low (see two years ago), and they have pretty low expectations this year from what I am reading on this board.

Hmmm we stayed the same once again with no major upgrade on this team. Hmmm this is tough I say 10th place again. I guess all the homers think Darcy has done a wonderful job and were gearing up for a cup run huh. I haven't been on this board in a while but I'm pretty sure that's what your all saying. Homers!

[buffm]

4th in the East - ECF again but out in 7 AGAIN. I'll take it though, beats being a Leaf fan.

4th in the east? What are you smoking?? Lets see um Pitt, Montreal, Washington, Boston, Jersey, Rangers, Phili and I'll even say Tampa (yes I said it) are all better then the Sabres. Also most of them are young too just like the Sabres because I know how you homers love saying we were a young a team last year.

[Bay Side]

I got 5th in the East..

[jamiezzz]

sad to say, I say 9th place... I think we will again have our up and down season, but IMO, I think we just didn't improve enough so far..

[buffm]

sad to say, I say 9th place... I think we will again have our up and down season, but IMO, I think we just didn't improve enough so far..


Finally a realist!

[bps21]

Technically it's both optomistic (hey...it's one spot better than last year!!!) and pessimistic (team learned nothing from a down year and is only ever capable of being around that level).

Realistic is harder to tell. Who knows what's going to happen with injuries and hot and cold streaks with this or any other team. Realistic predictions negate the entire idea of possability

[TheAnswer74]

sad to say, I say 9th place... I think we will again have our up and down season, but IMO, I think we just didn't improve enough so far..

SO what your saying with this post is the Ryan Miller we saw last year is the real Ryan Miller, it wasn't a down year? The Ryan Miller who dominated shootouts the previous 2 season wasnt the real Ryan Miller, the one who struggled in shootouts last year was the real Miller?

The Tallinder many Sabres fans thought was all-star quality , but played awful last year is the real Tallinder?

Vanek is going to miss open nets and not beat goalies one on one? Vanek probably missed 15 sure goals last year.

Max Afinogenov of last year is the real Max, instead of the 20 goal Max we have seen in the past?

Vanek, Pominville and Roy have maxed out, they cant improve their overall games? What are they now, 23, 24 and 26 years old?

Obviously you believe this team, who has the best young offensive core in the NHL wont improve. Yes, they are the best young group of offensive players in the NHL. The Sabres, not the Penguins or any other teams had the most goals for players 25 and under last season.

They add a vetern D-man who brings a different element, but yet can still add some offense.

This isn't one of the old Sabres teams that missed the playoffs, we are loaded.

[ksl66]

Anywhere from 5-12, there are 8 teams in that group that are pretty close Boston, Buffalo, Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, NY Rangers, Ottawa and Tampa Bay. As long as Buffalo can out play Boston and Ottawa I think they are a lock to get into the top 8. But basically this team's performance next season will depend on what they get out of Miller, Stafford, Connolly and Afinagenov. They are the four guys who can have the biggest improvements over last year. If everyone else repeats what they did last year (numbers wise) and those guys play to their potential this will be a deadly offensive lineup. If you put a gun to my head I would say, 3rd in the NE and 7th in the East.

[3LH]

SO what your saying with this post is the Ryan Miller we saw last year is the real Ryan Miller, it wasn't a down year? The Ryan Miller who dominated shootouts the previous 2 season wasnt the real Ryan Miller, the one who struggled in shootouts last year was the real Miller?

The Tallinder many Sabres fans thought was all-star quality , but played awful last year is the real Tallinder?

Vanek is going to miss open nets and not beat goalies one on one? Vanek probably missed 15 sure goals last year.

Max Afinogenov of last year is the real Max, instead of the 20 goal Max we have seen in the past?

Vanek, Pominville and Roy have maxed out, they cant improve their overall games? What are they now, 23, 24 and 26 years old?

Obviously you believe this team, who has the best young offensive core in the NHL wont improve. Yes, they are the best young group of offensive players in the NHL. The Sabres, not the Penguins or any other teams had the most goals for players 25 and under last season.

They add a vetern D-man who brings a different element, but yet can still add some offense.

This isn't one of the old Sabres teams that missed the playoffs, we are loaded.
Nice way to put it. Thumbs up! I would add Connolly to your list. For me, it's a huge boost if he puts the injury bug behind him and plays 70+ games and the lines are able to stay relatively consistent.

Bottom line is as you said.... there is plenty of upside on this team. We just have to hope it all comes together.....

[buffm]

SO what your saying with this post is the Ryan Miller we saw last year is the real Ryan Miller, it wasn't a down year?

The Tallinder many Sabres fans thought was all-star quality , but played awful last year is the real Tallinder?

Vanek is going to miss open nets and not beat goalies one on one? Vanek probably missed 15 sure goals last year.

Max Afinogenov of last year is the real Max, instead of the 20 goal Max we have seen in the past?

Vanek, Pominville and Roy have maxed out, they cant improve their overall games? What are they now, 23, 24 and 26 years old?

Obviously you believe this team, who has the best young offensive core in the NHL wont improve. Yes, they are the best young group of offensive players in the NHL. The Sabres, not the Penguins or any other teams had the most goals for players 25 and under last season.

They add a vetern D-man who brings a different element, but yet can still add some offense.

This isn't one of the old Sabres teams that missed the playoffs, we are loaded.


Dude honestly? How the hell do you know that those guys you mentioned had a couple lucky years? I mean you act like they've been doing this for years! My god and now were loaded huh? Please man your acting like a true homer now relax a bit! To call Tallinder an all star is going overboard. I can't even read your posts anymore. I mean wow the way you talk about this team we should of had 3 banners hanging from the rafters. Sorry man wake up the scary good days are over and the front office sucks!

[3LH]

Dude honestly? How the hell do you know that those guys you mentioned had a couple lucky years? I mean you act like they've been doing this for years! My god and now were loaded huh? Please man your acting like a true homer now relax a bit! To call Tallinder an all star is going overboard. I can't even read your posts anymore. I mean wow the way you talk about this team we should of had 3 banners hanging from the rafters. Sorry man wake up the scary good days are over and the front office sucks!

Part of his point was that we have a young team with a lot of upside. I agree with him. If that makes me a homer too, so be it.

[Blofan4life]

Teams the Sabres will finish below: Montreal, Pittsburgh, Devils, Rangers, Washington (Just because they will win the divison)
I say the Sabres will finish 6th or maybe even 7th. I think either Tampa, Flyers or Ottawa could get the 6th spot but I don't see us going past the 7th because all the other teams are just not with it this coming year.

[sksteele]

holy shit - this post got me so freaken fired up for hockey. AWSOME!

SO what your saying with this post is the Ryan Miller we saw last year is the real Ryan Miller, it wasn't a down year? The Ryan Miller who dominated shootouts the previous 2 season wasnt the real Ryan Miller, the one who struggled in shootouts last year was the real Miller?

The Tallinder many Sabres fans thought was all-star quality , but played awful last year is the real Tallinder?

Vanek is going to miss open nets and not beat goalies one on one? Vanek probably missed 15 sure goals last year.

Max Afinogenov of last year is the real Max, instead of the 20 goal Max we have seen in the past?

Vanek, Pominville and Roy have maxed out, they cant improve their overall games? What are they now, 23, 24 and 26 years old?

Obviously you believe this team, who has the best young offensive core in the NHL wont improve. Yes, they are the best young group of offensive players in the NHL. The Sabres, not the Penguins or any other teams had the most goals for players 25 and under last season.

They add a vetern D-man who brings a different element, but yet can still add some offense.

This isn't one of the old Sabres teams that missed the playoffs, we are loaded.

[TheAnswer74]

holy shit - this post got me so freaken fired up for hockey. AWSOME!

It's true. I have been critical of Darcy, but at the same time Ive said the team is full of young talent, he just needs to lock it up long-term.

The outlook on next season really depends on how you look at 3 players IMO, Miller, Tallinder, and Vanek.

Is Miller a top 10 goalie? Is Tallinder a top 2 pairing D-man? Is Vanek a top 10 goal scorer?

If you think so, then this team will get better just by those players playing up to the level we believe they can play.

People will debate about Tallinder. Im on the boards everyday, I listen to the radio all the time, I read anything written about the Sabres, Tallinder was considered a top D-man in the NHL by the Sabres, Sabres fans, and many national writers.

He was such a huge disappointment last season, and he even recognizes that and said he needs to be better than that.

Thats pretty much it. If those guys play well, we win alot of games, if they don't, we will be fighting for our playoff lives again. Remember in 2006 when there were threads saying we were like 26-2-1 with Tallinder and a little over .500 without him? We need that Tallinder back.

[TommyV26]

Anywhere between 5-9th.... Vanek nets 45, Poms 33, Roy 28 for top goal scorers

Sabres go to the Eastern Conference.......... Finals against.......... New Jersey

Miller has a good -> great year (plays in 63 games before playoffs)

Lindy wins coach of the year.... again

Sabres make a key addition of a D-man at the trading deadline

.... the playoffs are if they don't finish 9th... obviously

[sabrebraves]

Hmmm we stayed the same once again with no major upgrade on this team. Hmmm this is tough I say 10th place again. I guess all the homers think Darcy has done a wonderful job and were gearing up for a cup run huh. I haven't been on this board in a while but I'm pretty sure that's what your all saying. Homers!

Where in my post did it say anything about a cup run?? Most people on the board are saying between 5th and 10th place. And actually, Rivet is a pretty decent upgrade at defense. Considering the Sabres finished 10th, 4 points out of 8 in the east, with a very young team, I dont think that finishing between 5 and 10 is really unrealistic. But I guess I'm just being a homer.

[foster]

5 or 6th behind: Pens, Caps, Tampa, Montreal, Sens

#4 offense gets better with Paille getting better, Connolly healthy, Max back to someplace between last year and the year before.

Defense - Solid top 4 that won't have to play the minutes they played last year because 5/6/7 are no longer such a liability.

Goaltending - Miller can't shoulder the load of as many starts and the upgrade in backup will make a huge difference. Lalime should get about 20 starts and if he goes 8-4-4 for 20pts in those games - we'll be much better off.

Much better defense, stronger offense, better goaltending AND ... not a lot of big moves in the East outside of Tampa = Playoffs and a 5 or 6 seed.

[BanditsRock11]

9th in the East.


I don't see how the addition Craig Rivet and Patrick Lalime are enough to put them over the hump and into the playoffs.

[bps21]

You know we're talking about a few points...it's not like we're talking about scaling mt. everest without a sherpa.

[TheAnswer74]

You know we're talking about a few points...it's not like we're talking about scaling mt. everest without a sherpa.

I know, the difference between buffalo and #1 Montreal was 7 games. Everyone saying Boston, Ottawa, NY, and Philadelphia are so far ahead of us, they were 3 games better, some only 2 games better.

How many games did we blow when we were up 2 goals or more leading in the 3rd?

[bduff54]

i say sabres finish 7th and get knocked out in the first round.

Roy has a huge year though and makes the all-star team.

Leafs= finish dead last in the league

[TheAnswer74]

i say sabres finish 7th and get knocked out in the first round.

Roy has a huge year though and makes the all-star team.

Leafs= finish dead last in the league

Lets not lie, that wouldn't be a bad thing for the Leafs. Watch the leafs have a good season and finish 6-9 and miss out on Tavares.

[bduff54]

Lets not lie, that wouldn't be a bad thing for the Leafs. Watch the leafs have a good season and finish 6-9 and miss out on Tavares.

yeah it would be a good thing.

but hey if these young kids can play well and finish 8th or something i would love it, i love playoffs. not going to happen though

[CBennett]

7th or 8th. and I was right about where they would finish last year.

[two4trippn]

The jump in standings will be due to several key facts.

Mtl - Price will have a sophomore jinx (see Cam Ward)
Ott - Redden's departure is a locker room distruption similar to the Sabres losing Druere - no goaltending
Bos & Tor still lack identity and consistency - The Sabres remain ahead of both based on our coaching staff (chuckle amongst yourselves, but its true)


The Sabres are as good if not better than the Penguins. Kalinin out for Rivet improves the defense. To date, Darcy's kept the core of our success signed and still has tradeable assets to tweak (Kots, Lydman, Afinogenov, even Hecht). I expect, no demand that Miller improves is shootout performance, especially when he's playing for a life altering contract. The major ??? is how much Connolly contributes and for how long.

[BanditsRock11]

The Sabres are as good if not better than the Penguins.

You officially get my vote for "Worst Post of the year" and should also win "Biggest Homer of the Year" just by that one sentence in your entire post.

[bduff54]

lol, have to agree.

the pens? are you serious?

they have 2 of the best 5 players in the entire world.

[sukie]

Talent and upside equates to what? Hopes?

[stafford669]

look the younger players will step up,vanek,stafford and paille,pominville going to be a true leader.Spacek will hopefully log 25 minutes a game.Ryan miller will be ryan miller.Sabres win the northeast finish 3 in the conference.Im not just being a homer,this being if we sign teppo .Montreal lost mark streit,that going to hurt their powerplay,kovalev will not be as good as last year.Lets rank my teams 1 to 8
1.pitt
2.washington
3.buff
4.nyr
5,mtl
6.phl
7.ott
8.tb

nj and boston miss the playoffs.

[sukie]

So we are better by other teams sucking? this is gonna be a great year.

[buffm]

The jump in standings will be due to several key facts.

Mtl - Price will have a sophomore jinx (see Cam Ward)
Ott - Redden's departure is a locker room distruption similar to the Sabres losing Druere - no goaltending
Bos & Tor still lack identity and consistency - The Sabres remain ahead of both based on our coaching staff (chuckle amongst yourselves, but its true)


The Sabres are as good if not better than the Penguins. Kalinin out for Rivet improves the defense. To date, Darcy's kept the core of our success signed and still has tradeable assets to tweak (Kots, Lydman, Afinogenov, even Hecht). I expect, no demand that Miller improves is shootout performance, especially when he's playing for a life altering contract. The major ??? is how much Connolly contributes and for how long.


Did you just say we are just as good if not better than the pens????? OMG please go back to your room that's hilarious!

[DropTheGloves]

The jump in standings will be due to several key facts.

Mtl - Price will have a sophomore jinx (see Cam Ward)
Ott - Redden's departure is a locker room distruption similar to the Sabres losing Druere - no goaltending
Bos & Tor still lack identity and consistency - The Sabres remain ahead of both based on our coaching staff (chuckle amongst yourselves, but its true)


The Sabres are as good if not better than the Penguins. Kalinin out for Rivet improves the defense. To date, Darcy's kept the core of our success signed and still has tradeable assets to tweak (Kots, Lydman, Afinogenov, even Hecht). I expect, no demand that Miller improves is shootout performance, especially when he's playing for a life altering contract. The major ??? is how much Connolly contributes and for how long.


LOL

[TheAnswer74]

Did you just say we are just as good if not better than the pens????? OMG please go back to your room that's hilarious!

I think the Pens lost alot with Malone. Satan doesnt bring what Malone does.

Again, the Pens were only 6 games better than Buffalo.
So really, it all depends on what you think of players that had disappointing years last season for Buffalo.

I expect better out of Miller and players like that next season, so I do think we will be close to the Pens, but not better.

[stepsukie]

BUF finishes 6th, plays the shitty SE division champ, and beats them.

Miller's GAA goes down and he posts at least 4 shutouts. The Sabres start winning low scoring games. My predicted record for the Sabres: 44-30-8

[dmbfn40]

Pittsburgh
Montreal
Carolina
Buffalo
New Jersey
Philadelphia
New York Rangers
Boston

Ottawa
Washington
Atlanta
TB
Florida
NYI
Toronto

[buffm]

I think the Pens lost alot with Malone. Satan doesnt bring what Malone does.

Again, the Pens were only 6 games better than Buffalo.
So really, it all depends on what you think of players that had disappointing years last season for Buffalo.

I expect better out of Miller and players like that next season, so I do think we will be close to the Pens, but not better.


Are you guys seriously insane? They have the 2 best players in Hockey and we don't even have a guy in the top 20! Their goaltending is just as good as Buffalo and there D is still better? Dude you are still living in the scary good era. GET OVER IT! I can't believe I'm having a conversation about a 10th place team a Stanley Cup team??? What? And actually they were 8 games better and had 12 more pts then us. They are only 9 games better than Florida so maybe they are just as good as Pitt too huh? Please man you are embarrassing yourself!

[buffm]

BUF finishes 6th, plays the shitty SE division champ, and beats them.

Miller's GAA goes down and he posts at least 4 shutouts. The Sabres start winning low scoring games. My predicted record for the Sabres: 44-30-8

Yeah I know there is so much grit and heart on this team to win low scoring games huh? Homer central on the range my god! This team did nothing to improve themselves at all! And please don't start saying Rivet is god. He is good but not a difference maker which by the way we don't have!

[eyedog]

8th, 6th if they get a lot of breaks. Doesn't matter though as they lose in 1st rd. of play-offs.

[Schtaad]

Sabres finish 8th- just beating out the Cryers on the last day.

[MauvaisSang]

6th in the conference, 2nd rd playoff exit.

[TheAnswer74]

Are you guys seriously insane? They have the 2 best players in Hockey and we don't even have a guy in the top 20! Their goaltending is just as good as Buffalo and there D is still better? Dude you are still living in the scary good era. GET OVER IT! I can't believe I'm having a conversation about a 10th place team a Stanley Cup team??? What? And actually they were 8 games better and had 12 more pts then us. They are only 9 games better than Florida so maybe they are just as good as Pitt too huh? Please man you are embarrassing yourself!

We don't have a guy in the top 20? Vanek finished 5th and 13th in goals the last 2 years. Roy and Pominville were 18th and 19th in points.

The Pens have 3 players with 15 or more goals, the Sabres have 7, that doesnt even count Afinogenov or Connolly. The Pens have 2 players capable of scoring 30+ goals, the Sabres have 3.

Now its just about our defense. Is Rivet a better defensive d-man then Campbel? Can Miller, Tallinder, and Lydman play better? I think so.

If we improve our defense just a little we will win another 5 games, that doesn't just mean better players even though Rivet is better defensively, it means playing more responsible. That would put us at 100 points. Now if Miller returns to form in shootouts, we are talking another 3-4 points.

So I see the Sabres at around 100-104 points next season.

If what i said sounds crazy, please let me know.

[Mr. Politenessman]

I really believe all the teams will come together, with all the Earth children, singing in harmony and universal peace, so that all teams can win the Cup, and all humanity will be engraved on the extension rings, and when done, it will reach Mars, so that Bush can go there to look for WMDs.

[rockydm92]

Are you guys seriously insane? They have the 2 best players in Hockey and we don't even have a guy in the top 20! Their goaltending is just as good as Buffalo and there D is still better? Dude you are still living in the scary good era. GET OVER IT! I can't believe I'm having a conversation about a 10th place team a Stanley Cup team??? What? And actually they were 8 games better and had 12 more pts then us. They are only 9 games better than Florida so maybe they are just as good as Pitt too huh? Please man you are embarrassing yourself!

you know whats funny buffm, the answer74 said that pitt lost alot when they lost malone, but we lost drury, briere, campbell, and its no big deal. i don't get what these fans are talking about!!! Well in the mind of the sabres fan doesn't matter who we lose it only matters what other teams lose!!!

Don't you think the penguins fans are using the buffalo line, and it goes like this "im glad our Gm didn't over pay for malone"

[bundtm11]

I say the sabres will finish 2nd in the Northeast and 7th in the eastern conference

1. Pittsburgh
2. Montreal
3. Washingtom
4. New York Rangers
5. New Jersey
6. Philadelphia
7. Buffalo
8. Boston

Don't count the Sabres out. Rough year last year but that happens to all young teams who lose leadership. Last year will help them focus and try harder this year. They only missed the playoffs by four points last year. I believe the sabres are poised for a turn a round. I think they could even crack the top 5.

Useless Fact: The only two president's trophy teams to miss the playoffs the following season after winning the trophy, won the stanley cup the year after

What'd ya say (Buffalo wins the cup)

[FrankyScott]

This year, it's going to be a good year for the Sabres they cannot miss 2 playoffs spot 2 years in a row. Because... We the Sabres fan we believe in this team. THESE GUYS WILL BE SCARY GOOD!! i say 3rd place 4th or 5th