Sabres Slashes: Offseason Review

The Buffalo Sabres finished last season with only 62 points for last place in the NHL. There was some work to be done in the offseason, and it started with the draft.

The Sabres managed to win the 2018 NHL Entry Draft Lottery and get the number one pick overall. With that first pick, they snagged defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Dahlin is expected to be a franchise number one defenseman and will start the year with the Sabres.

The team then went to work in the offseason by adding some speed and goal scoring. The first order of business was to sign some of their own players to contracts. Casey Nelson signed a two-year contract extension followed by the signings of Rasmus Asplund and Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen to three-year entry level contracts. Then the Sabres added some speed and goal scoring to the lineup with the addition of Conor Sheary in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. They also added veteran defenseman Matt Hunwick in that same deal.

The biggest loss of the offseason was when they traded center Ryan O'Reilly to the St. Louis Blues for forwards Vladimir Sobotka, Tage Thompson, and Patrik Berglund. The team lost some veteran players to free agency like goalie Robin Lehner, center Jordan Nolan, goalie Chad Johnson and center Jacob Josefson.

They signed two new goalies in Scott Wedgewood and Carter Hutton. Hutton figures to be the starter come the regular season. The Sabres signed Dahlin to his entry level contract and then got back to business with taking care of their own players. Buffalo signed the following players to new one year deals: center Sean Malone, right wing Nicholas Baptiste, right wing Justin Bailey, center Danny O'Reagan and left wing CJ Smith. Another big move made by the Sabres was to acquire Jeff Skinner from the Carolina Hurricanes for Cliff Pu and a couple of draft picks.

Skinner will add some much needed scoring to the Sabres top six. He is a good skater and can put the puck in the net. Skinner has scored 20 or more goals in six of his eight seasons in the NHL. He has also added 40 or more points in six of eights seasons in the League.

The Sabres had one of the better summers in the League by having some luck with the Draft Lottery and filling some gaping holes in the roster. The biggest differences this season could be a healthy Jack Eichel and a break out season by Sam Reinhart.

Sabres Slashes: Weekly Preview 12/10/17-12/16/17

The Buffalo Sabres look to get back on track after losing three of their first four games to start the month of December.

The Sabres will take on one Western Conference team and three Eastern Conference teams this week. On Sunday night, they'll face the St. Louis Blues, who will be without Jaden Schwartz due to an ankle injury. They will then come home to face the struggling Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night. It's back on the road to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, and Buffalo finishes out their week with a game at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Sabres need to have some kind of energy to start this game against the Blues or they will be down a few goals before they know it. Buffalo will need to get the first goal of the game, and keep attacking. They will need to establish a forecheck early and often because the best way to stop the Blues offense is to make them defend. The Sabres will need to play with discipline and avoid a parade to the penalty box since the Blues have a good power play. Buffalo will need to get a good game from the goaltender, who will need to make some saves since the Blues should get their chances.

St. Louis will need to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game. The Blues lines will be a bit different looking tonight with the loss of forward Jaden Schwartz, and it should be interesting to see how the loss of Schwartz affects the play of Brayden Schenn since the two have developed some chemistry early on this year. St. Louis will need to find a way to keep Evander Kane and Jack Eichel off the board since they have a hand in a lot of the offense for the Sabres. The Blues will need to force some turnovers, since the Sabres will turn the puck over especially in their own zone. St. Louis needs to not play down to the opponent tonight, and just play their game.

Buffalo will then face a struggling Ottawa Senators, who have been shutout in three of their last four games. The Sabres will need to find a way to stop Derick Brassard and Erik Karlsson, who are among the leading point producers on the Senators roster. Buffalo will need to watch the speed of Ottawa in transition since they can get the pucks behind the defensemen. The Sabres will need to attack and not sit back in this game since the Sens have been struggling to score lately. Buffalo needs to get the power play going and the Senators are not one of the better penalty killing teams in the League. The Sabres will need to make sure that they have the lead going into the third period.

The Senators will need to figure out a way to get their offense going in this game. They are playing one of the worse teams in the NHL, and they should be able to put some pucks into the net. Ottawa will need to get the first goal of the game to get some confidence going and then build on the lead from there. The Sens need to have a good game from the starting goalie, who needs to make saves and not allow any soft goals. Ottawa will need to have a better effort all around then they have had the past few games. It would be a good idea for them to just get pucks on net, and then crash the net for any rebounds or loose pucks in the crease area.

The Sabres then take on the Flyers on Thursday night in Philly. Buffalo will need to get the first goal of the game since the Flyers are a better team when playing with the lead. The Sabres will need to keep attacking and get some sustained pressure in the offensive zone to keep the new balanced lines off the board for Philly. Buffalo will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Flyers have a decent power play even though they have allowed four shorthanded goals against this year. The Sabres will need to keep Jake Voracek and Shayne Gostisbehere in check since they play a big part in the offense. Buffalo will need to be aware of the Philadelphia defense since they have no problem joining the play in the offensive zone.

The Flyers will need to keep the new look lines and balanced attack going against the Sabres. Philly needs to not play down to their opponent since they have been known to do this the past few years. The Flyers will need to get in on the attack, establish a forecheck early in the game and force a ton of turnovers throughout the game. The Orange and Black need to be better with the puck, and limit their mistakes since they have had plenty of costly turnovers lately. Philly needs to avoid the penalty box since the penalty kill has been in the bottom of the League all season long. The Flyers need to be aware of where Jack Eichel and Jason Pominville are on the ice.

Buffalo face the Hurricanes at home on Friday night. The Sabres will need to get off to a really good start in this game, and score some first period goals. Buffalo will need to keep Teuvo Teravainen and Jeff Skinner in check while they are on the ice. The Sabres need to avoid turnovers and mistakes with the puck since Carolina can make you pay for your mistakes. Buffalo will need to get their home power play going since they have only converted on 8.9% of their home power play opportunities. The Sabres need to get some offense from the defense even if they are just pitching in with assists.

The Hurricanes will need to get the first goal of the game to take the crowd out of the game. Carolina will need to be better on special teams since they haven't had the most success on them all season. The 'Canes will need to find a way to stop Jack Eichel and Evander Kane, since they are the two top point getters on the team. Carolina will need to get some stops from their goaltender and to play a solid, 60 minute game.

Leafs Notes: Weekly Preview 11/19/17-11/25/17

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be a busy bunch this week with four games in six days. They will look to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are first in the Atlantic Division.

The Leafs will take on the lowly Arizona Coyotes on Monday night at home. They will then travel to Florida to take on the Panthers, who are seventh in the Atlantic Division. Toronto will visit the Hurricanes on Friday. The Maple Leafs will end their week on Saturday with a rematch of last year's playoffs and face the Capitals at home.

Toronto wants to make sure that they don't look past the Coyotes on Monday night, Yes, the Coyotes are the worst team in the League, but you never know when a team is going to come play. The Maple Leafs are going to have to use their speed since the Coyotes have some of their own players that can fly around on the ice. The Leafs need to cash in on their power play chances because the Coyotes aren't the best penalty killing team around. Toronto needs to get pucks on net when they have the chance since the Coyotes tend to let up a lot of goals. The Maple Leafs will need to find a way to contain Clayton Keller, who leads Arizona in goals and points, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson leads the team in assists.

The Coyotes are going to want to establish the forecheck early in this game along with their cycle game because the longer they make the Leafs defend, the better their chances. Arizona will need to be sure to get traffic and bodies in front of Frederik Andersen since he is coming off of a week where he was named the NHL's second star of the week. The 'Yotes will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Leafs have a dangerous power play, and they will also need to find a way to play a solid defensive road game. The Coyotes are going to need to find a way to stop Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

The Maple Leafs will need to be sure to get off to a fast start against the Panthers on Wednesday night. They will want to get the first goal of the game, and keep attacking. Toronto needs to find a way to keep Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Evegny Dadonov and Vincent Trocheck in-check since they are the main point producers for the team. The Leafs need to get another good start from the goalies since the defense is going to allow chances and turn the puck over. Toronto needs to make sure that they play with discipline because the Panthers can be dangerous on the power play especially their first unit.

Florida will need to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in the game. The Panthers need to get off to a better start in this game since they've been outscored 16-13 in the first period of games, and the Leafs have scored 28 first period goals. Florida will need to establish the fore-check early and be aggressive by trying to keep the puck in the offensive zone. The Cats will need to pressure the puck carrier since the Leafs will turn the pucks over whether its in the neutral zone or their own zone. Florida will need to have a lead entering the third period since they only have two third period comebacks in 11 chances. They also should try to contain Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk, who are second and third in points on the team.

The Leafs need to play a solid road game against the Hurricanes, avoid the sloppiness and turnovers. Toronto will need to be good while at even strength since the Hurricanes tend to outscore their opponents when five-on-five. The Maple Leafs will need to take advantage of their power play opportunities since the Canes aren't the best penalty killing teams on home ice. Toronto needs to have some consistency within the game and not have a lapse where they aren't focused. The Leafs will also need to contain the red-hot Teuvo Teravainen, who was named the NHL's first star of the week.

The Hurricanes will need to watch out for the Leafs defensemen joining the play in the offensive zone. Carolina should try to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd in it, and because they play better when they score the first goal of the game. The Hurricanes will need to be better on special teams especially on the penalty kill since the Leafs have a really good power play. Carolina will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Leafs, and a good way to do that would be to make the Leafs defend. The goalie is going to need to come up big for the Hurricanes since the Leafs are scoring almost four goals per game played.

Toronto will end their week with a rematch of last year's first round of the postseason against the Capitals. The Maple Leafs will need to find a way to contain Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Toronto will need to get plenty of traffic around the opposing net for deflections and second  chances. The Leafs will also need to feed off the energy of the crowd and get off to a fast start. The special teams of the Leafs are going to need to be good as will the goaltending.

The Capitals will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced attack of the Maple Leafs. They will also need to be aware of the speed of the Leafs. The Capitals will need for pressure the puck carrier and force turnovers. Washington will also need to play a physical game, but be smart of when to hit and when not to make the hit. The Caps will also need to establish a fore-check and cycle game to have some sustained offensive zone pressure.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 11/12/17-11/18/17

The Dallas Stars have a good opportunity to pick up some much needed points this week.

They’ll face the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night, who are last in the Metropolitan Division. On Tuesday, they will travel to Florida to take on the Panthers, who are last in the Atlantic Division. They’ll then take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night and finish out the week against the
EdMonton Oilers on Saturday night. The Oilers have been struggling to put the puck in the net so far this season.

The Stars will need to need to find a way to contain Carolina’s Jeff Skinner, who leads the team in goals and is second in points. Dallas has good special teams and should use that to their advantage and cash in on their power plays. The Stars will need to play a solid 60-minute game, and not take off because the Canes will take advantage of any mistakes made. Dallas needs to get off to a fast start, establish the forecheck and not overtook the Hurricanes. The game could be close defensively so the Stars are going to have to use their speed and use the stretch pass to get behind the defense.

Carolina will need to make sure that they play a good game at even strength since the special teams aren’t too good. The Canes will need to make sure that they keep an eye on Alexander Radulov since he can produce points. The Hurricanes need to get the first goal of the game since they are 4-1-1 when doing so. The goaltending is going to need to come up big for Carolina since the Stars have some offensive weapons that can put the puck in the net. If Carolina has a power play then they’ll need to be sure to take advantage of it since Dallas doesn’t have he beat road penalty kill.

Dallas will need to stop the top four (Huberdeau, Barkov, Trocheck & Dadonov) of the Panthers and make the rest of the lineup beat them. The Stars will need to get some pucks on net with traffic in front since neither goalie for Florida has been spectacular this year. The Stars need to watch out for the defensive corps of the Panthers because they will join in the offensive zone. Dallas needs to make sure that they have the lead entering the third period since they don’t have any third period comebacks for wins this year.

The Panthers are going to need to play a strong even strength game since their special teams aren't that good. They'll need to have a better start to this game, and get some scoring chances and offensive pressure early since they have been outscored in first period of games this year. Florida will need to find a way to stop the balanced attack of the Stars by establishing a forecheck and cycle game to play in the offensive zone. The Panthers need to play a disciplined game since the Stars have the best power play in the League. Florida needs to avoid mistakes with the puck and turnovers.

Ben Bishop and the Stars will then go and visit Tampa Bay to play the Lighting. Dallas will need to avoid mistakes with and without the puck and also not turn the puck over. They will need to contain Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov by spending some time in the offensive zone and less time defending. Dallas will need to take advantage of the bad home penalty kill of the Bolts. The Stars will need to get the first goal of the game to take the crowd out of the game.

The Bolts will need to use their speed to enter the offensive zone. Tampa Bay will need to be good at even strength since the Stars are in the top three in both power play and penalty kill percentage. The Bolts need to get off to a fast start and just keep bringing the pressure. Tampa Bay will need to play a full 60 minutes since the Stars have guys that can put the puck in the net at any given time. They'll need to get pucks on net and pressure the defense to force turnovers in the neutral zone and offensive zone.

The Stars return home on Saturday to face Connor McDavid and the Oilers, who haven't gotten off to the best start this year. The Stars will need to find a way to contain McDavid and his speed since once he gets going, the will blow right by the defender to create something out of nothing. Dallas need to get pucks on net since the goalies haven't been as good as they were last season. They also need to get off to a fast start to keep the home crowd in the game, and maybe even score the first goal of the game. The Stars will need to have a good game defensively meaning elimination of turnovers, good coverage by all five guys on the ice and timely saves from whichever goalie happens to be in the net.

Edmonton will need to get pucks to the net with traffic in front and get a dirty goal or two to get the offense going. They'll need to stay out of the penalty box. The Oilers need to win the even strength battle to even have a shot at winning the game since the Stars special teams are that good. Edmonton will need to have the goalie steal a game for them. The Oilers will need to play a solid road game and play a good first 10 minutes of the game to be scoreless and get the offense involved in the game a little.