Buffalo Sabres Preview 2021
Last season, our Buffalo Sabres preview 2021 - 22 notes that this team finished 15-34-7 and with 37 points. With that, the Sabres were the worst team in the NHL. We don’t expect much to change this year, as ownership seems bent on offering little hope for improvement. However, the lowly Sabres did attempt to make some improvements during the offseason.
Sabres - Key Skaters
Forward Jack Eichel is the lead man on offense. with the addition of former MVP Taylor Hall, there’s hope for this team. Also, right wing, Sam Reinhart is a quality player. However, both Hall and Reinhart have seen their stock drop in the past few years. Both need to reboot their careers. Our Buffalo Sabres preview 2021 - 22 observes that on the backend, Rasmus Dahlin is a premium talent. Also on D, Colin Miller is productive and solid.
Buffalo Sabres Preview 2021 – Goaltending
Dustin Tokarski and Aaron Dell are the team’s two primary netminders. Tokarski, a seven-year vet, has a lifetime record of 15-25-9 and GAA of 3.11. Last season, his first with Buffalo, Tokarski was 2-8-2 with a GAA of 3.54. This is Dell’s sixth NHL season. After spending four years with San Jose where he started 89 games and went 48-34-12, he went to the Devils last season recording one win and five losses and a 4.14 GAA. Dell’s career has been in decline since the 2018-19 season. Might he have an uptick in wins with a team that is so weak defensively?
Buffalo Sabres Preview 2021 – Final Word
The big question for this team revolves around Eichel. Eichel, who injured his neck last season, has requested an artificial disk replacement. However, the Sabres want him to undergo traditional fusion surgery. Eichel, who’s on the books as being dissatisfied with the team's lack of success, wants to be traded.
Along with this issue, new head coach Don Granato must deal with a thin roster and a front office that would rather jettison good players than bring in premium talent. Our Buffalo Sabres preview 2021 - 22 notes if this team loses Eichel and doesn’t upgrade its goaltending, it’ll face a 10th-straight season where they miss the playoffs.
NHL Atlantic Division - Buffalo Sabres Projection 2021
Finish: 5th
No Postseason Appearance