NHL Standings Basement Arms Race:Leafs, Oilers, Coyotes, Sabres

Jack Eichel puts on Sabres jersey after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

#30 Buffalo Sabres

After making it to the Conference Finals during the 2006-07 season, the Buffalo Sabers fans have endured up and down seasons. They had two seasons attaining the playoffs, 2009-10 and 2010-11, but they exited during the first round both times. The last two seasons, the Sabres finished last in the league.

“I don’t buy into five-year rebuilds. I think when you use terminology like that as a GM you’re really setting yourself up for a long run if your owner buys into that. I could sit here and say it’s a seven-year rebuild and hopefully I get 10 years out of it. But that’s not reality and not what I want anyway. I want to rebuild here properly, which takes time. But it doesn’t have to take years.” – Tim Murray, General Manager Buffalo Sabres

The Sabers went into full rebuild mode in the 2013-14 season. Notably, they traded away Thomas Vanek, Steve Ott  and their #1 goaltender Ryan Miller. The Sabres have made some good moves and others that make you scratch your head. The one thing that is clear is that they have been turning over the roster in order to acquire young prospects and draft picks.

There is a lot of anticipation to see how the new roster will shape up under the new head coach Dan Bylsma. The most notable additions for this season include Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Evander Kane and Ryan O’Reilly. Out of players aged 25 and under, the Sabres have 4 players who were picked in the top five in drafts. This includes 2 second overall picks and one 3^rd overall. In addition, 5 picks were in the top 10, 8 in the first round and 10 in the second round. I should note that 9 of these prospects are in the late second round.

While the new additions to the roster should help to improve upon the Sabres league low of 158 goals last season, there is less certainty around the defense and goaltending. At 269 goals against, the Sabres were 29^th in the league last season. A young defensive core will need to develop further and Robin Lehner is unproven as a starting goaltender.

Next: What to Expect from these Four Teams