2015-16 record: 35-36-11 (81 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: Brian Gionta
It's been six seasons since the Buffalo Sabres made the playoffs, but last year was the first time since then that a sense of hope surfaced. It began with the trade for Ryan O'Reilly and the drafting of Jack Eichel, and it has steadily been going since. Of course, there are still growing pains to be had, but getting the best player in free agency after Steven Stamkos spurned them (and others) to return to Tampa Bay is another step in the right direction.
Up front, new signing Kyle Okposo represents a major piece of the puzzle and potentially a new linemate for last year's first round pick Jack Eichel. Eichel put up 56 points in 81 games, a good showing, but it was O'Reilly that broke through, as he led the team in points. Down the middle, they're set, as O'Reilly, Eichel, and Sam Reinhart are the top three centers on the team. Okposo upgrades the wings that range from unpredictable (Evander Kane) to needing a bounce back season (Matt Moulson, Zemgus Girgensons). Defensively, there is potential for success here, but each defender has at least a couple of question marks tied to them. Improvement in their own end (Rasmus Ristolainen), injuries (Zack Bogosian), and adjusting to a new system (Dmitry Kulikov) are things the Sabres need to solve here as a unit. For all the questions there, it's the goaltending that has the most to answer for, as Robin Lehner's first season as undisputed starter didn't go as planned, thanks to injuries. He showed glimpses of what he can be, but ironing out his game and avoiding injuries are on his to-do list. Anders Nilsson has his own consistency issues to iron out, but he will hold the backup spot while Linus Ullmark gets more time in the AHL. Special teams were very good, as they were on the border of the top ten line in both categories, a sign that the team is buying what Dan Bylsma is selling.
Prediction: 4th in the Atlantic Division
The Sabres are on track in their rebuild, but any and all future success will hinge on the goaltending, as they need health and continued good luck (the Sabres' goaltenders individually had no worse than a 2.60 GAA) to keep them in games.S
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