Just two more months until the NHL season (pre-season) kicks off and it appears as though the Sabres management crew might be done “wheeling and dealing” for this off-season but who knows. To review, this summer, the Sabres have made a few acquisitions and transactions to better improve their roster. The first move of the off-season was the free agent signing of backup goaltender, Patrick Lalime. Lalime will serve as the team’s reserve goalie for the entire season. Lalime received a two year contract worth one million dollars per year. The second move made by Darcy and the gang was the trade for veteran defenseman Craig Rivet. Rivet was traded to the Sabres for two second round draft picks (for the 2009 draft and the 2010 draft). Rivet is signed through the 2010-2011 season and will be receiving 3.5 million dollars this season, making him the highest paid Sabres defenseman. Management did a decent job this year by acquiring the needed personnel for the gaps in the roster for the upcoming season. Some will argue that the team should have made a bigger splash in the free agent market, but with the inflated prices for mediocre players, I believe that the Sabres management team was smart in the moves that were made. Now it is time to review the roster and make my prediction for the 2008-2009 season, and list the three steps to be a success with this year’s roster.

I believe that there are three things that need to be done in our upcoming campaign to make the team a playoff contender.

3. GET THE POWER PLAY UNIT BACK IN ORDER:
Coach Lindy Ruff severely needs to edit the power play units to make them successful.
Now don’t get me wrong, our PP unit wasn’t terrible last year, but it needs work. A strong PP team is the foundation for a strong offensive machine (which we have seen the Buffalo Sabres can be). With the acquisition of offensive power play specialist Craig Rivet, quality shots from the point will not be in short supply. He and Jaroslav Spacek at the point can build to become a deadly combination.

2. LOCK UP POMINVILLE AND MILLER:
To avoid a similar scenario to last year’s Brian Campbell situation, winger Jason Pominville and Goaltender Ryan Miller’s contracts need to be settled this summer. This needs to be done, so that later on in the season, it does not become a distraction in the players on and off ice performance. Secondly, Jason and Ryan are cornerstones to our team and it would be a shame to see either of them go. Last season, Jason Pominville had 80 points in 81 games, some very impressive statistics for such a young player. Ryan Miller on the other hand, had a decent season with a 2.64 goals against average, and 90.6% save percentage. Miller’s stats should improve this season with a lightened load with the help of veteran reserve goaltender, Patrick Lalime. Miller is expected to command around six million dollars per year or more.

1. RE-UNITE THE R.A.V. LINE:
During the 2006-2007 season, the offensive tandem of Derek Roy, Maxim Afinogenov and Thomas Vanek, was one of the deadliest in the NHL. With the separation of this line during the 2007-2008 season, the production of Maxim Afinogenov and Thomas Vanek severely declined. During the 2006-2007 campaign, the “RAV line” combined for a total of 208 points (87 goals and 121 assists), not bad for a THIRD LINE TANDEM. Despite past success, winger Thomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov decreased production the next season. Vanek played all 82 games last season and only had 64 points (compared to his previous 84 the year before). Afinogenov suffered the worst drag in production with only 28 points in 56 games. I believe that if this line were to be re-united as the Sabres top line, that they would all see boosts in production.

Here is how I think the lineup should look going into the regular season….

LINE 1: Vanek - Roy - Afinogenov (For obvious reasons)
LINE 2: Hecht - Connolly - Pominville (If Timmy can stay healthy)
LINE 3: Kotalik - Gaustad - Stafford ( Stafford will rebound on a lower line)
LINE 4: Paille - Mair - Macarthur/Kaleta (whoever has a more impressive off-season)

D Pairing 1: Tallinder - Lydman (At their best can shut down any offensive tandem in the league)
D Pairing 2: Rivet - Sekera (Sekera will benefit from working with a veteran like Rivet)
D Pairing 3: Spacek - Paetsch (worked together a bit last season) - Weber?

Now weather or not the Sabres decide to re-sign free agent D-men Nolan Pratt and/or Teppo Numminen will effect the outcome of the lineup. But all in all, Im pretty content with this one, and I think that other Sabres fans will be too.

With these improvements, I believe that we can be a true cup contender this season. If our coaching staff takes the right measures in improving the chemistry of our lineup, the Sabres will be a force to be reckoned with. LETS GO BUFFALO!!!