The Sabres were only one overtime goal away from a berth the Eastern Conference finals last season. But looking at the Buffalo's offseason losses -- notably sensational goalie Dominik Hasek and star center Mike Peca -- a playoff run in 2001-02 seems unlikely. It's safe to say the Sabres will rely on the youth movement next season. Players like defenseman Rhett Warrener and center Curtis Brown will need to take on bigger roles, and re-signing top goal scorer Miroslav Satan is imperative for Buffalo.
Here are your thoughts on what the Sabres need for next season:
Few names remain in market
Buffalo will still be a strong, young team in the Eastern Conference, providing they get some leadership. To date, the only real big name they have is Miroslav Satan. With Toronto, Washington and New Jersey beefing up in the offseason, Buffalo is going to need at least one high profile player in order to remain competitive. Maybe they can use some of that cash they saved on giving up Dominik Hasek to get one. But who's left? Eric Lindros? Yeah, right!
Paul
East Northport, N.Y.
Patience will make perfect for Buffalo
With the Sabres, I believe patience will be a virtue this season. This past season was a success, even without their "leader" Michael Peca and a "declining" Dominik Hasek. The defense got stronger with the signing of Henrik Tallinder. Without lengthy holdouts from Alexei Zhitnik and Rhett Warrener, the Sabres defense should be better than last year's, a squad that led the NHL in goals against. I'm torn between letting this current roster go into the season with guys like Mika Noronen, Taylor Pyatt and Norm Milley getting their fair share of playing time, or going after a "name player" such as Jason Allison (although, he wants $$$) to compliment Miroslav Satan. The Sabres may look for a veteran backup such as Bob Essensa to give Mika Noronen more development time in Rochester. Overall, I believe there won't be a significant drop from last season's 98-point team and second-round loss. By the end of this season, the ever-patient Darcy Regier will show up again, as he will make another late season trade to help the team for the playoffs. My prediction is a 90-point, 5th place conference finish and a trip to the second round. Sabre youth will be served!
Eric
Fort Campbell, Ky.
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Yes, once again the sky is falling. The critics can pack their rain gear. I'll pack my playoff tickets. We'll meet in April and see which way the sun shines. ” |
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— Chet, Amherst, N.Y. |
Offseason losses will sting
The Sabres again seem to lack the depth they need to make their presence felt. Unfortunately, they can no longer claim to be "Devils Lite." Lacking a dominating goalie, and having lost many role players among their forwards, it seems unlikely that Buffalo's defensive cadre can shore it against the oncoming storm, no matter how well it sticks to the swamp trap. Division rivals Ottawa and Toronto have both made moves, and around the Eastern Conference, the Islanders and Capitals have improved while the Devils and Flyers will be vying for the top spot. The big question is, do the Sabres have what it takes to make the playoffs, and if so, to get past the bigger guns of the conference? I'd say they might slip in at seventh or eighth and make an early exit, probably losing to the Flyers.
Mike
Ardmore, Pa.
Without stars, Sabres lose their luster
It's simple. No Dominator, no chance. No Peca, no chance. No Gilmour, no chance. Stanley Cup? No chance. Just an average team now. Sorry, Buffalo, I've gotta call it like I see it.
Eric
Malvern, Iowa
Overrated Hasek flopped in crunch time
Buffalo is an elite team in the East? How do you figure? Every year, the analysts ramble on endlessly about Buffalo's chance for a Cup, and every year it's the same disappointment. Year after year, Dominik Hasek brings home the Vezina Trophy, but does not deliver a Cup to anyone. The true elite -- Colorado, Dallas, Detroit, New Jersey -- all have had netminders who came through when pressure was applied. Hasek has yet to show us anything other than 'fish-out-of-water' flopping antics when his team needed him to turn it up a notch. Good riddance, I say. Anything has to be better than the failure Hasek has repeatedly proven himself to be.
Mike
Denver
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No Dominator, no chance. No Peca, no chance. No Gilmour, no chance. Stanley Cup? No chance. Just an average team now. ” |
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— Eric, Malvern, Iowa |
Buffalo needs instant offense
A blue-collar hockey town like Buffalo welcomes the young potential the Sabres hold for next season, but without a reliable scorer -- a finisher -- the Sabres will suffer in the win column. The days of 1-0 wins are over, at least for now. Marty Biron will not stand on his head and win games by himself the way Dominik Hasek did. The 2001-02 Sabres need production up front. Young talent will provide some of this, but management needs to sign a big-time scorer to raise the team's offensive standards.
Matt
Washington
Same old story for 2001-02
The Sabres will still be the same team. The only player they lost from the start of last year is a washed-up Dominik Hasek and Mike Peca, who didn't even play last year. But they gained Tim Connolly, who I think will be an excellent center, and Vyacheslav Kozlov, a player that could be teamed with Miroslav Satan to form one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL. I believe the Sabres will get around 90-95 points this year and lose in the second round of the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.
Joe
Buffalo, N.Y.
Out to prove cynics wrong
Once again, the sky is falling. Yes, the good times must certainly be over for the small-market Sabres, who have lost their only "name" players, Michael Peca and Dominik Hasek.
But let's put the umbrellas away for a moment and put things in perspective. The Sabres "lost" Michael Peca last year. If you were too busy counting up the 98 points they gained, or the number of points scored by Curtis Brown in the playoffs, you probably didn't notice. In essence the Sabres added Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt for nothing. "But, wait!" the critics cry. "Hasek for Kozlov and a second-rounder?" I'll admit, this doesn't sound great. However, when you throw in the "gain" of Martin Biron, this trade looks a lot better. As long as Biron can stop a 40-foot floater from Darius "King of Goons" Kasparaitis, the Sabres will improve. Kozlov easily replaces Dave Andreychuk, who was too slow to be anything but a burden. "Oh, yes," the sages reply, "but what about the loss of Steve Heinze and Donald Audette?" Well? What about them? They were strictly rent-a-players. The Sabres only "lost" a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick and some European who may never play in the NHL. Big deal! Yes, once again the sky is falling. The critics can pack their rain gear. I'll pack my playoff tickets. We'll meet in April and see which way the sun shines.
Chet
Amherst, N.Y.
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With the East's best defense and no more Peca/Hasek distractions, look for the Sabres to be playing in late May once again. ” |
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— Matt, Chicago |
Hasek's role will be filled
Losing Dominik Hasek hurts a little, but Martin Biron is solid and with Mika Noronen, Buffalo will still have one of the best goaltending tandems in the NHL this season. Biron may not play as many games as Hasek did, but he will leave the team in capable hands with Noronen. As for the rest of the team, a great deal depends on signing Miroslav Satan. Don't forget that in 1999, the only recognized star the Sabres had was Hasek. That was the year that Peca really made a name for himself.
Dan
Utica, N.Y.
Aging players, whiny stars had no place in Buffalo
Don't write off next season just yet. While the Sabres appear to be in a rebuilding mode, they are just reloading, and I expect a season at least as successful as last year was. Neither Doug Gilmour nor Dave Andreychuk had any gas left in their tanks, and it showed. It was sad to watch these two once-great warriors play so far below their capabilities. Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt will add much-needed speed and youthful hunger as their replacements. Donald Audette is a one dimensional player who cannot thrive in a defensive system. He will not be missed. Vyacheslav Kozlov will fit in perfectly as a two-way forward with the ability to score clutch goals, much like Stu Barnes and Curtis Brown. As for Dominik Hasek's departure, both Martin Biron Mika Noronen can win in the NHL. While neither one is Vezina Trophy material just yet, their low salaries will allow for a midseason trade to add the scoring punch needed to offset the Dominator's loss. With the East's best defense and no more Peca/Hasek distractions, look for the Sabres to be playing in late May once again.
Matt
Chicago
