2012-13 record: 21-21-6 (48 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA
The story of the 2012-13 Buffalo Sabres was one of underachievers and a team in rebuilding mode. The team will be looking for a new captain, since Jason Pominville was shipped to Minnesota last season, and it appears that the leading candidate is Steve Ott. Speaking of which, he was brought in to provide a toughness that the Sabres didn't have previously. However, offense was nowhere to be found outside of Thomas Vanek, who was last seen on the trading block. Cody Hodgson and Tyler Ennis were the next two leading scorers, and the only others to have cracked the double digit total in goals. Defensively, Tyler Myers underperformed again, and the Sabres hope that bringing back one-time defensive partner Henrik Tallinder will boost his game once again. Christian Ehrhoff performed decently, but fellow free agent signee from 2011 Ville Leino continues to have trouble living up to his contract, only netting six points in eight games. Ryan Miller was also last seen on the trading block, and with a rather leaky defense in front of him, his best years are being wasted.
Prospects: The woeful mismanagement of Mikhail Grigorenko was evident last season, as he only scored five points in 25 games on the fourth line before being sent back to juniors. With a team desperate for offense, he should get a better shot this season. The Sabres have room for quite a few rookies, and the one that could make the biggest jump is Johan Larsson, acquired in the Pominville trade. Don't count out Rasmus Ristolainen or Mark Pysyk on the blue line, as either or both could be on the roster on opening night.
Prediction: 7th in the Atlantic Division
If not for the youthful Florida Panthers, the Sabres would be last in the division. Should Vanek and Miller not be traded before the season starts or ends, the Sabres could very well finish a spot higher. However, that isn't saying much, as there isn't much beyond those two.
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