2010 Buffalo Sabres Preview

Head Coach Lindy Ruff and General Manger were both brought back on one year deals for this season. The two have been together in Buffalo for 13 years now, but this team feels no closer to a Stanley Cup then it did a few months ago when the Buffalo Sabres were eliminated from the NHL playoffs by the Boston Bruins. They have some significant free agent loses, but failed to reload and gear up for the coming NHL season. Sure they racked up 100 points while winning the North East division, but success in teh NHL is measured by success in the playoffs.

The Sabres have the 4th longest championship drought in the NHL behind only the Toronto Maple Leafs, LA Kings, and the St. Louis Blues. Ruff has been around for a long time and ha an overall record of 483-361-62 in his time there. It is unreal to think that he has watched 154 coaching changes in this league while he has been at the helm in Buffalo. He is one of the only NHL head man that can push his players without having them rebel against him.

This team’s breakout candidate is RW Drew Stafford. At 24 years old and, 6-1 216 pounds he is young enough, big enough, and strong enough to be the 25 goal and 60 point scorer that the Sabres need him to be.

Key Additions- D Jordan Leopold, C Rob Niedermayer, and RW Tim Conboy

Key Subtractions- D Henrik Tallinder, and D Toni Lydman