Team Preview: Buffalo Sabres

2010-2011: 96 points, 7th in Eastern Conference
Key additions: D Christian Erhoff, F Ville Leino, D Robyn Regehr,
Key departures: D Steve Montador, D Chris Butler, F Tim Connolly

Ryan Miller's play will be pivotal to the Sabres success.

Why they'll contend: It goes without saying the Sabres are solid on the back end. Ryan Miller is an elite level goaltender who should benefit from a restful off-season and the defense corps has been solidified with the additions of Regehr and Erhoff, the latter coming in off a loaded Vancouver team that made a run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals in 2011. Ville Leino's contract could be a risk but he could be an ace in the hole coming off a career-high 19 goal campaign in Philadelphia. Forwards Tyler Ennis and Nathan Gerbe are both primed to make significant contributions at the NHL level and the Sabres finally have deeper pockets under new owner Terry Pegula to make any adjustments they need mid-season. The Sabres are deeper than in the past and for the first time ever have splurged in the off-season, pushing their cap to the limit. With a healthy, rejuvenated Ryan Miller and an upgraded back-end the Sabres should compete for the top of the Northeast Division.

Why they'll falter: The club took big risks on Erhoff and Leino in the off-season, with Leino being the bigger risk of the two. Leino will have to put his contract to good use if the Sabres want to take the next step. The offense as typically average, and Tomas Vanek and Jason Pominville will be expected to carry the load as usual, though the two have never had tremendous amounts of post-season success. If Ryan Miller plays like the 2010-2011 Ryan Miller as opposed to his Vezina trophy winning 2009-2010 season the Sabres may be in trouble, though back-up Jhonas Enroth is more than capable of picking up some slack if Miller falters. The Sabres will need to get significant contributions out of their back end if they want to make a deep run. Erhoff will be relied on to quarterback a power play that finished 9th in the NHL last year and should be a marked improvement. If Miller, Vanek, and the off-season acquisitions struggle in 2012 it could be a disappointing finish in Buffalo yet again.

2012 Predictions:
FINISH: 3rd in Eastern Conference, Northeast Division champions
LEADING SCORER: Tomas Vanek, 30 goals & 71 points
SURPRISE OF THE YEAR: Tyler Ennis will finish with more goals than Ville Leino.

NEXT PREVIEW: CALGARY FLAMES