This article is part of our Team Previews series.
The Sabres' 2013-14 season wasn't just bad – it was historically bad. The once-storied franchise finished last in the league with just 52 points, and its .317 points percentage represented the franchise's worst mark since the 1971-72 season. The organization was rife with problems throughout the year before the slate was wiped clean after the dismissal of head coach Ron Rolston, who won just four of the Sabres' first 20 games, and general manager Darcy Regier, who was fired after a 16-year tenure.
Digging a little deeper, Buffalo finished 14 points behind the 29th-place Panthers and scored just 157 goals on the campaign. For comparison's sake, the Pittsburgh Penguins scored 165 goals in a 48-game schedule during the 2012-13 season. When Tim Murray took over as general manager in early January, it was already too late to right the ship, but the team renewed its focus and began aggressively stockpiling a potpourri of prospects and picks. By the end of the summer, the Sabres had drafted Sam Reinhart with the second overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and acquired prospects Hudson Fasching, Nicolas Deslauriers and William Carrier via trades.
The Sabres clearly aren't finished with their rebuild yet, holding three first-round picks for the 2015 NHL Draft and setting their sights on top prospect Connor McDavid. Buffalo will play host to the 2015 and 2016 NHL Combine, which allows Murray to keep an eye on his top target. In addition, Buffalo's First Niagara Center will also play host
The Sabres' 2013-14 season wasn't just bad – it was historically bad. The once-storied franchise finished last in the league with just 52 points, and its .317 points percentage represented the franchise's worst mark since the 1971-72 season. The organization was rife with problems throughout the year before the slate was wiped clean after the dismissal of head coach Ron Rolston, who won just four of the Sabres' first 20 games, and general manager Darcy Regier, who was fired after a 16-year tenure.
Digging a little deeper, Buffalo finished 14 points behind the 29th-place Panthers and scored just 157 goals on the campaign. For comparison's sake, the Pittsburgh Penguins scored 165 goals in a 48-game schedule during the 2012-13 season. When Tim Murray took over as general manager in early January, it was already too late to right the ship, but the team renewed its focus and began aggressively stockpiling a potpourri of prospects and picks. By the end of the summer, the Sabres had drafted Sam Reinhart with the second overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and acquired prospects Hudson Fasching, Nicolas Deslauriers and William Carrier via trades.
The Sabres clearly aren't finished with their rebuild yet, holding three first-round picks for the 2015 NHL Draft and setting their sights on top prospect Connor McDavid. Buffalo will play host to the 2015 and 2016 NHL Combine, which allows Murray to keep an eye on his top target. In addition, Buffalo's First Niagara Center will also play host to McDavid's Erie Otters for a regular season OHL game on October 22 against the Niagara IceDogs. Murray has made no secret that he expects the Sabres to finish near the bottom of the standings again, so don't be suprised if some tanking ensues.
To help bridge the gap to a new era that will be highlighted by Reinhart and previous first-round picks Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons, Murray brought in some veterans to stabilize a young but erratic bunch. Former Montreal Canadiens captain and Rochester native Brian Gionta returns to his home state to provide some leadership, while Josh Gorges will mentor the team's young defensemen. However, there are still plenty of question marks with the roster, especially in goal. Top netminders Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth are both relatively unproven, but posses plenty of potential and are expected to split the starts.
The Big Guns
Cody Hodgson, LW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #24): A late-season change to the left wing did wonders for the talented Hodgson, while a successful stint with Team Canada at the World Championships further cemented him in that position. Although he possesses good vision and the ability to create offense, poor skating has always been a hindrance. By moving to the wing, Hodgson should be able to simplify his game by assuming fewer defensive responsibilities. The Sabres lack depth down the middle and may still use Hodgson, who led the team in scoring in 2013-14, as a center. Either way, Hodgson is expected to be a key offensive cog and is penciled in as a top-six player. With a healthy season he should be able to shatter his career high of 44 points, which he set last year.
*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*
Tyler Ennis, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #19): The 21 goals Ennis scored last year represented a career-high, but he also finished with a career-worst minus-25 rating. Though diminutive for NHL standards, Ennis' strength has been his ability to stay healthy and score on a consistent basis. Though he is not particularly defensively responsible or strong enough to play the position, the Sabres are prepared to use Ennis as their top-line center and playmaker. Ennis has a lot to live up to this season, having just signed a $23 million extension to stay with Buffalo until 2019. With an improved roster, Ennis' point totals should improve, provided that he clicks with his new linemates. He's expected to be one of Buffalo's top offensive players.
Tyler Myers, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #60): The former Calder Trophy winner wrapped up arguably his worst season as a pro in 2013-14, producing 22 points in 62 games to accompany an atrocious minus-26 rating. Myers' 6-foot-8 frame has always made him a valuable asset, but he has largely failed to live up to expectations since his rookie season. The Sabres have elected to be patient with the 24-year-old, but Myers' name has been a staple in the rumor mill since last year. With a new crop of young defensemen coming up the pipeline, Myers' days with the Sabres could be numbered if his play doesn't improve. For now, he'll continue to serve as one of Buffalo's top defensemen, but that could change on short notice. The Sabres added a few veteran defensemen to lessen the pressure on Myers, which could unlock his potential.
Jhonas Enroth, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #29): It was a frustrating 2013-14 season for Enroth, who won just four games in 26 starts. He played quite well on a team that allowed a lot of shots and finished with a respectable .911 save percentage and 2.82 GAA. Enroth inherited the starting job when Ryan Miller was traded, but he is not believed to be a franchise goaltender and possesses just 81 games of NHL experience. However, since he's still under contract with the Sabres for two more years, Enroth will battle Michael Neuvirth for the starting gig this season, though a timeshare at the position is perhaps more likely. Either way, Enroth will have to get comfortable with the prospect of playing behind one of the league's most porous defenses.
Michal Neuvirth, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #41): The Capitals gave up on Neuvirth after the 26-year-old Czech netminder had trouble wresting the starting job from the struggling Braden Holtby last season. Though it was a small sample size, Neuvirth turned in solid performances in his two games with the Sabres, saving 93 of 98 shots before suffering a season-ending hip injury. Like in Washington, Neuvirth will have to battle all season for the starting job, and will also be further motivated by the promise of a new contract this summer. Even if he ends up beating out Jhonas Enroth for the No. 1 gig, Neuvirth's upside could be limited considering the Sabres will support him with one of the NHL's worst rosters.
On the Rise
Zemgus Girgensons, C (RotoWire Position Rank: NR): At just 20 years old, Girgensons is seen as one of the league's best young two-way players. A complete player who can skate, hit and contribute offensively, he is slated to be one of Buffalo's top centers and could become the team's best player by the end of the season. The 14th overall pick from 2012, Girgensons should only improve upon his 22-point rookie campaign. Buffalo is short on NHL-caliber centers, which means the burden on Girgensons could be even greater. Having performed admirably for Latvia at the Winter Olympics, he doesn't seem to be the type to shirk extra responsibility. What Girgensons lacks in high-end skill, he more than makes up for with a hard work ethic.
Rasmus Ristolainen, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #159): The 19-year-old Ristolainen is Buffalo's top-rated young player on defense, and will likely remain with Buffalo for the entire season in 2014-2015. Though his production was muted in his 34 games with the Sabres last season, Ristolainen was a key player for the team's AHL affiliate in Rochester, scoring 20 points in 34 games. Ristolainen is at the forefront of the Sabres' rebuild and is poised to make a greater impact this season. There will be growing pains as Ristolainen develops into a franchise defenseman, but if everything goes right, he should emerge as the Sabres' best defenseman by season's end.
Two to Watch
Marcus Foligno, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: NR): Despite a disappointing season that saw Foligno net only 19 points in 74 games, the Sabres extended the promising young forward with a two-year contract this summer. Given his lack of offensive output, the move speaks to Foligno's potential and the faith the Sabres have in him. The Sabres are a much better team when Foligno can contribute, as he is arguably the team's most physical forward. In 135 career NHL games, Foligno has 50 points and 132 penalty minutes. Much of Foligno's production will depend on where he plays in the lineup, but there's no denying the son of famed Sabre Mike Foligno has the ability to become a complete player.
Chris Stewart, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #36): Acquired in a late-season trade from St. Louis, Stewart appeared in just five games with the Sabres and did not register any points. The big power forward is still trying to find his 28-goal form. In 63 games last year, Stewart scored just 15 goals while battling a series of ankle injuries. He'll have plenty of chances to establish himself as a top-six winger in Buffalo, but he'll also have to play well consistently and stay healthy for that to happen. Stewart will often be tasked to create room for the team's playmakers, and the better the job he does, the more points he may score.
Don't Overrate
Matt Moulson, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #14): Moulson scored six goals in 20 games after he was acquired by Minnesota prior to the deadline, but was never able to really fit in. In the offseason, he chose to return to Buffalo, where he's expected to be the team's go-to sniper. Despite his lack of pedigree as a ninth-round draft pick, Moulson has managed to develop into an above-average goal scorer, posting 141 goals in 397 career games. Prior to his trade to the Wild, Moulson managed just 11 goals in 44 games, failing to establish any sort of long-term chemistry with the other forwards. With a full season and more time to gel with his teammates, he should be one of Buffalo's top offensive performers. Moulson has never been on pace to finish with fewer than 20 goals over the course of a full 82-game season, but it may be difficult to extract a ton of value from him given the expected hit he'll take in plus/minus rating.
Drew Stafford, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #51): One of the league's most mercurial goal scorers, Stafford redeemed himself slightly with a 16-goal campaign in 2013-14, after scoring just six goals in 46 games in the previous season. Since signing a $16 million extension with the Sabres, Stafford's production has been disappointing, and over the past two years, he's posted a combined minus-35 rating. Time is running out for Stafford, who enters the last year of his contract. Should the Sabres feel that Stafford has no future with the club, it is very possible he becomes trade bait to help aid the rebuilding process.
Top Prospects
Sam Reinhart, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #16): The second overall pick from the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and Buffalo's future captain, Reinhart could play in the NHL right away. Possessing an off-the-charts hockey IQ and determined to win all his puck battles, Reinhart is coming off a 105-point campaign as the captain of the WHL's Kootenay Ice. Reinhart will likely begin the season with the Sabres, but whether or not he sticks will be up to him. He can play nine games before the Sabres have to decide whether or not Reinhart returns to
Kootenay, and he will certainly need to assume a scoring role during his audition.
Nikita Zadorov, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #19): A punishing hitter with a fearsome slap shot, Zadorov is the future physical anchor of the Sabres' blue line. He finished the season in the OHL after a seven-game stint with the Sabres the previous season, and though there is no denying the Russian teenager has the talent to become a top NHL defenseman one day, he still has a long way to go. The 19-year-old could win a starting job with the Sabres for the 2014-15 season, but since he's ineligible for AHL play, he could also return to juniors for his overage season.
Joel Armia, RW (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #51): A highly-touted sniper in Finland before coming overseas last year, Armia struggled in his first season in North America, producing just seven goals in 54 games with Rochester. Armia was hampered by a wrist injury suffered in training camp, and didn't find his groove until the AHL playoffs, where he scored three goals in five games. Big things are still expected from Armia, who is just three years removed from being drafted in the first round. He will have a chance to earn a spot with the Sabres but will most likely spend the 2014-15 season with Rochester to further acclimate himself to the North American game.
Jake McCabe, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #73): McCabe, the Team USA captain at the 2013 World Junior Championships, will embark on his first full pro season in 2014-15. After concluding a three-year stint at the University of Wisconsin, McCabe appeared in seven games for the Sabres and notched an assist. The young defenseman has a chance to secure a spot with the Sabres, but his development may be better served in the AHL, where he will play a bigger role. McCabe will certainly serve as one of the team's first options should an injury befall the Sabres' blue line.
