2011 National Hockey League (NHL) offseason assessment: Buffalo Sabres
After finishing off a great regular season, or having a great second half regular season to be exact, along with historical gains in the 2011 National Hockey league (NHL) Playoffs, Buffalo Sabres are on the right track to becoming one of the league’s leading
teams, after making a number of much need changes here and there over the offseason.
Coach Lindy Ruff finished off his 14th straight season as Buffalo’s head coach and with 96 points, a 43-29-10 record, and ranking seventh in the East, Sabres were almost unrecognisable, since they had always been a struggling team.
This offseason, new owner Terry Pegula, who is also a long time Sabres fan, gave general manager, Darcy Regier, to use a much capital needed and increase the performance of the team in any way possible and make this franchise a Stanley Cup winning one.
During the offseason, Buffalo made a number of valuable acquisitions that have really taken the once weak team, to a whole new level, a Stanley Cup contending level to be exact. Their line-up has an impressive mixture of experience and youth, which is valuable
to the core.
Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, was a top contributor for Vancouver Canucks during their first Stanley Cup finals stretch in over 20 years. He contributed 50 points (14 goals, 36 assists) in his second season with them and has continued to grow as a player
since being signed on during the 2009-2010 season. He also remained an unstoppable force during the playoffs as he put up 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists) in 23 matchups, in his sixth straight postseason appearance.
In a move to keep the player well near his retirement age, Buffalo signed on Ehrhoff to a long term deal, 10-years worth $40 million, in one of the biggest contract signings of the year.
Another veteran defenseman was acquired by Sabres, Robyn Regehr from Calgary Flames, who was supposed to enter his 12th straight season with them but was traded in a sudden and shocking move, which was later learnt to be a salary cap saving tactic.
Regehr might not be a top contributor but he is certainly a player that can provide unmatchable leadership and experience to the younger players on the team.
Ville Leino is the Sabre third acquisition, a very good left winger, who had an amazing season during the 2010-2011 timeframe, which needless to say, shocked everyone. In his first three seasons with teams like Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers,
the Finnish shooter could not get over 10 points. Last season he made 53 points (19 goals, 34 assists), need not to say anymore why Buffalo chose him.
All their moves during the offseason will prove to be useful only once the regular season begins, which is in October. Interestingly, they have their first two games abroad, first game with Anaheim Ducks in Finland and second against Los Angeles Kings in
Germany.
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