The Other Off Season Game Plan - Sabres Edition

Big disclaimer - I know very little about hockey as compared to Scott Cullen, residential fanatic analytic expert (read; stats geek) over at TSN. But I do have an armchair and computer and also like to sit in front of it from time to time and think about our great game of hockey and the Buffalo Sabres. So when I read that Scott is pulling together his personal game plan for each team in the NHL, I thought I would do the same, only not get paid for it.

Not exactly a happy bunch last year

But to do what Scott does it would mean I have some idea of what Scott is saying and either agree or disagree with him. I don't know any of these new stats that is all the talk this year; a SAT%REL looks to me like some type of code for NASA or perhaps a tricky algebra answer. I'm just an outsider looking in, kinda like your girlfriend's best friend that you put up with because you have to and don't want to appear rude although you know she hates you. Sort of like how Connor McDavid must feel after the lottery.

So let's see what we can do to fix the second prettiest girl at the ball, The Buffalo Sabres.

Foreshadowing

Head Coach

After 2 years of steady losing, the NHL's only minority coach (unless you include Daryl Sutter and the entire Sutter clan as a minority) Ted Nolan was let unceremoniously let go. That has to be a kick in the junk for a coach who did his best to win the McDavid lottery and who inherited the Lindsay Ruff dynasty. Then with the prize so close, he was fired, giving GM Tim Murray nobody but himself and the hockey gods to blame for having to most likely settle for Jake Eichel (odds are 2nd pick overall) to rebuild the team around.

Top picks - Of course there will be a trickle down from the Babcock Effect. But let's laugh at the idea Babs would pick Buffalo. What this team needs is a good dose of coaching personality. Someone like Jon Tortorella. But he's still picking up a paycheck from the Canucks so instead, what about Randy Caryle or look to Alberta for one of the ex-coaches of the Flames or Oilers. Dallas Eakins is used to working with underperforming, young hockey players. Don Hay has a good reputation for not rocking the boat when it comes to player development.

Pat Lafontaine at the open to anyone tryouts 

Forwards

They have a decent mix of forwards as a lot of NHL teams with current ex-Sabres will tell you. Next year will include Matt Moulson, Girgensons, Tyler Ennis, a healthy Evander Kane and Jake Eichel is also expected to move on up to the NHL and perhaps another young gun (Sam Reinhart) may make the cut. They biggest question mark is former Canuck Cody Hodgson who believed the only thing he needed to take his game to the next level was more ice time. But after two years the Sabres look to think the next level for him will be the press box and/or trade bait as soon as he shows signs of regaining his confidence.

Brian Gionta remains Captain for perhaps another year as the transition starts. Eichel is another franchise player and will probably one day become Captain. I don't think the problem lays in the forwards.

Even while being impaled, Weber is the epitome of who gives a fuck...

Defense 

They traded the giant yet licoricey Tyler Myers to Winnipeg as part of the Evander Kane deal and it brought them Zach Bogosian - so that's a win. Look to him to be a leader on the blue line. Josh Gorges, Mike Weber and a couple of other European players make for a decent defense. I don't think the problem is on the blue line. I mean, just look at that picture of Mike Weber.

So much of this picture is irrelevant now

Goalie

There hasn't been a starting goalie in Buffalo since Ryan Miller took off to Vancouver via St. Louis and as such is their most pressing need. Buffalo has a great history of goaltenders, from Tom Barrasso to Dominick Hasek to Miller. But right now their current goalies are pretty shell-shocked and one only needs to look at the amount of goaltenders out there to see they could have and need a pretty decent upgrade in goal. The Hamburglar is up for grabs, as well as former Cup winner Anti Niemi. Chicago also has one too many goalies for next year in Crawford, Darling and Raanta.

And for god's sake, get rid of these 3rd jerseys.

Summary

Jake Eichel only has to look to Tyler Seguin to find a 2nd round draft pick that has had amazing success so early in his career. A lot of that success will depend on their new head coach and the untapped potential of Cody Hodgson and Evander Kane. Hopefully, there will be a return of some badly-needed team spirit to the locker room. They have nowhere to go but up. There's no reason to break the bank on anyone but a decent goalie.


My #1 Priority - Starting Goalie
My #2 Priority - Head Coach
My #3 Priority - Cody Hodgson

***UPDATE 1*** Buffalo feels jilted by Babcock signing with Toronto after believing they had signed the man 'in principle' only to be bummed to find out Toronto signed him 'with money'. Manager Tim Murray has gone into a major depression and was last seen posting on Kijiji at a Second Cup franchise in Niagara.