By: Jason Phillips
The 2015-16 Sabres already have a completely different feel than that of teams the two previous seasons that finished dead last in the league. This team has many offseason additions like the addition of number two overall draft pick Jack Eichel, the trade that left the Sabres with center Ryan O’Reilly, and the healthy Evander Kane who was acquired from the Jets last year but never played for the team. The team also added a new goalie Robin Lehiner who managed to get a high ankle sprain half way through the first game of the year and will be out for the next month or two. The goaltending situation is one that surprised, in that the team didn’t try to re-sign goalie Jhonas Enroth after trading him for a draft pick at the trade deadline last season. He currently is the backup for the Kings, but he really does have the ability to be a starter in the NHL. I can’t help but feel a little disappointed as every Sunday morning he tweets out go Bills.
Still, the team has some issues. They really have a lack of chemistry from an offensive standpoint. I do think they have the talent to make it to the playoffs this season, but they have struggled early on based on the lack of consistency in the top three lines. New head coach, Dan Blsyma is still trying to find the lines that work well together. The defense right now is really missing injured Zach Bogosian who would most likely pair up with Josh Georges for the top pairing on the team. Still Rasmus Ristolinan has done a very good job in his place and looks to be a solid player in this league. Still, newly signed free agent Cody Franson is only someone who seems decent on the power play or penalty kill. Also, Mike Weber is just not good. He shouldn’t be in the starting lineup every single night. He turns over the puck way too much. Plus, he constantly gets beat on one on one situation, and he also takes so many penalties you would think he played for the Bills. Chad Johnson has been doing okay filling in so far. He hasn’t really been overly impressive, but he’s shown why he is a backup in the league doing his job.
The results will eventually come for this Sabre team. Once the top three lines get set and the players get familiar with each other there should be more consistent offensive production. I really do believe that this team can make the playoffs this season. Tim Murray needs to stick with the moves that he has made since he’s been gm of the team. I’m considered that he just makes moves for the sake of making moves and doesn’t really stick with guys for too long. Still, this is a roster that he has built and he should ride the rollercoaster that comes with any professional sports team. Hopefully the new group of forwards will come through lead the franchise in the right direction.
