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Sabres will learn from shortcomings next season
By Kyle Bukolt
On April 7, 2012
Until this past week, the Buffalo Sabres looked like they would make the most out
of a dismal start to their 2011-12 campaign.
The Sabres bottomed out in January at last place in the Eastern Conference and
have since battled back to a fight for the eighth seed. After losing key games last
week to the Maple Leafs and the Penguins that would have put them in a position
to capture and maintain a playoff spot, the Sabres now need to win as many of
their final games as possible while hoping for Lady Luck to aide them in their
quest.
Whether or not the Sabres make it to the playoffs, I believe that the team will
be in a much more advantageous position at this time next year. The Sabres
will return to the NHL for the 2012-13 season as a powerhouse in the Eastern
Conference without having to change much of anything during the offseason.
First, there's Tyler Ennis. Assuming that Ennis re-signs with Buffalo, I believe
that he will be happily assuming the role of the second-line center between
wingers Marcus Foligno and Drew Stafford. After being moved to center towards
the end of this season, Ennis emerged as the playmaker that brought out the
best in Stafford as a sniping goal-scorer and Foligno as the power forward that
continually attacks the net in search of rebounds and loose pucks. Look for Ennis
to be even more successful as he gets more familiar with these guys and to be a
threat for the Sabres' power play unit next year.
Second, there's Derek Roy. While I normally dog on Roy for making lazy plays,
not showing heart, staying away from the corners, and taking games off, I believe
Sabres fans can actually be excited about what Roy will do in 2012-13.
Roy's contract is up at the end of next season and there was buzz around the
NHL that nobody wanted him at the trade deadline this year. Roy will not be
looking to take a pay cut in 2013, so look for him to put up career-high numbers
and return to Buffalo as the player that fans actually enjoyed watching back
during their Cup runs in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
With Cody Hodgson (also in a contract year) right behind him in the race for the
No. 1 center position, expect Roy to finally show the fight that fans have been
begging to see.
Third, the Sabres have shown how well they can perform with a healthy
defensive core in Christian Ehrhoff, Tyler Myers, Robyn Regehr, and Jordan
Leopold. They've also shown that they have players that are being bred in
Rochester that can fill in the gaps quite well when the lead guys go down.
Look for Brayden McNabb to keep improving in Rochester and make a
substantial leap towards becoming a full-time Sabre in 2012-13. He's
demonstrated that he enjoys physical play on the blueline and will be a great full-
time fit as he continues to mature as a member of the Buffalo franchise.
Finally, there's Ryan Miller. Many fans began to doubt Miller when his play
suffered due to a concussion that he received after being run by Boston Bruins
winger Milan Lucic. A former Vezina Trophy winner, Miller was stellar for the
Sabres down the stretch, posting a record of 19-5-5 and recoding five shutouts in
his last 29 decisions dating back to January 24.
I think it's safe to say that the former Olympic MVP has returned to Buffalo in rare
form and will be more than ready to try to bring a Stanley Cup to Buffalo in 2012-
13.
Kyle Bukolt can be reached by email at bukolt.record@live.com.
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