Since the lockout ended cutting last season short, Sabres fans have known the inevitable was approaching: the dreaded rebuilding mode.  Coming out of the last lockout the Sabres were ahead of the curve with small quick skaters who were the new wave of player with new rules in place, or to some, just the enforcement of the old rules.  After last years’ lockout the Sabres recognized they are not ahead of the curve and began to rebuild.  Historically this could take the better part of a decade to completely rebuild an organization the ‘right way.’  This is an interesting phrase because teams in the NHL have track records of being really bad and getting a top 3 draft pick which turns around the organization sooner rather than later.  The Sabres, much like the Bills haven’t bottomed out to this degree and have suffered for it.  They consistently pick between 8-13 in the draft, just like the Bills and often miss out on the top prospects which make rebuilding even more difficult. 

This offseason GM Darcy Regier admitted the need to rebuild the team after another playoff-less season.  His first draft picks spoke volumes to his vision and plan to begin the transition.  Rasmus Ristolainen 6’3 200 lbs and Nikita Zadorov; 6’5 221 along with last years’ top picks Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons, are forming a literal and figuratively strong new core, Grigorenko is the style to the other three’s strength.   This year the Sabres boast a deep defense core, comprised of size, youth and strength.  With a roster full of front line grinder types the Sabres will lean on Ryan Miller and their defense to be successful in low scoring games.  This would seem to suit coach Ron Rolston’s philosophy and ideally remind Buffalo fans of the hardest working team in hockey of the early Lindy Ruff years.  With emphasis placed on size and toughness the Sabres defense core looks to be Tyler Myers, Henrik Tallinder, Christian Erhoff, and Mike Weber regularly with the final two lineup spots and at least one healthy scratch to be camp battles between Ristolainen, Mark Pysyk, Jamie McBain, Brayden McNabb, Alex Sulzer and Chad Ruhwedel.  Barring major injury issues with the Sabres Zadorov is likely to spend this season in Rochester to help him transition from the OHL to NHL style games.  With three preseason games in the books the defense looks like the backbone to this team as several have scored goals in the preseason.  They won’t count on having a defenseman leading the team in scoring but with minimal talent at forward a goal here and there from a D man could steal them a win.  Steady and solid Mike Weber along with Ehroff will be counted on to play smart zone hockey to keep the Sabres from running around in their own end.   Overall this group will need bounce a back year from Tyler Myers and for Hank Tallinder to find the fountain of youth to help steer the youngsters and teach them the NHL game.

Don’t get me wrong, the forwards are not a group devoid of talent.  Thomas Vanek, Ville Leino, Drew Stafford, Cody Hodgson, and Tyler Ennis are all NHL proven forwards with goal scoring pedigree.  The issue they face is having to play at a line spot above their heads.  Last year Ennis and Stafford began the year on the second line with Marcus Foligno, Stafford was invisible for much of the season and Foligno fell into some growing pain stretches that bumped his ice time down.  This year’s bunch will face similar challenges as many of the young players who look to see time are third or fourth line guys but will be pressed into second line minutes on many nights.  The previously mentioned players are locks to make the team along with local boy and fan favorite Pat Kaleta he and Steve Ott will play serious minutes and make life difficult for the visiting team on most nights.  The three wild cards up front are all young and unproven, Johan Larsson acquired in the Jason Pominville trade, Mikhail Grigorenko, and Zemgus Girgensons are fighting to stay with the big club and management is hoping they can because they are being counted on to play a lot of regular minutes.  This leaves Corey Tropp, Cody McCormick, Kevin Porter, Brian Flynn, Matt Ellis, and John Scott to battle in camp for the last three roster spots.  Previous number one pick Joel Armia has not looked ready to handle NHL time thus far in camp and could be sent to Rochester much like Zadorov to hone his skills in the North American game. 

With rebuild mode stated by management, fans were clamoring for the trade of Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek from the minute this sentiment came down from Regier and owner Terry Pegula.   Miller has publically stated he is focused on being in Buffalo and playing to the best of his ability as he has his sights set on starting for the US in the Olympics in Russia.  Vanek has echoed this sentiment but fans are caught in between as they don’t fit on a rebuilding roster.  Last year Pittsburgh gave Calgary a first round draft pick for an aging Jarome Iginla so there is recent precedent for trading franchise players.  Regier cannot afford to give away his two best players just to say that they are rebuilding, this would ruin his credibility.  He did well in the Pominville trade last year and the year before that the Paul Gaustad trade.  Regier will be criticized if one or both are still on the roster after the trade deadline but fans should know that if the trade will make the Sabres better in the coming years, not this year, then Regier will pull the trigger.