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Sabres re-sign Deslauriers

May 26, 2014, 2:33 PM ET [421 Comments]
Kevin Freiheit
Buffalo Sabres Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The sound of silence

With the Conference Finals going on, all is quiet on the Sabres front right now, which is expected. We all know that there are plenty of questions to be answered by the time October arrives.

It’s unfortunate that Buffalo didn’t win the draft lottery, but they’re are still going to get a great prospect either way.

When I received my season ticket renewal letter in the mail, I wondered just how bad this team could be next season. After a franchise-worst season, how do the Sabres rebound, and who does the organization bring in to help?

The Sabres had Vanek and Miller for part of last season, so how do they do in a full season without them? It’s not going to be a good year in terms of the standings, and I don’t see Buffalo finishing above the bottom five.

How low can they go?

Many fans have Connor McDavid on their radar, and for good reason. He’s one of many prospects in a strong draft class. The Sabres may be one of the contenders to finish 30th in the league once again, but do you believe they will be that far down in the standings?

At this point, with a goaltending competition between Enroth and Neuvirth, there’s not going to be any improvement on the defensive side. Nothing against Enroth, but it’s a downgrade from Miller. The Sabres couldn’t score last year...what’s going to change that this season?

It’s not going to be anything long term, so a one or two year deal would be the best bet for a couple players that can help out this team short term, and assist with the younger players as well.

Even if they bring in a couple of guys who can contribute offensively, and a couple of players score a little more often, the goal total is still going to be low. If there is a season to do poorly, next year might be the time to do that.

With four teams still competing for a Cup, it seems odd to be focusing on next year already, but the schedule is about two months from being released.

#BecauseItsTheCup
I’m conflicted on who to root for in both series right now. I like both teams out west and dislike both teams in the east. I’m one of those fans who is rooting for Briere and Vanek, but I can’t stand Montreal, which leaves me going for the Rangers.

Remember what playoff hockey was like in Buffalo? It’s tough to picture the Sabres competing at that type of level after watching a miserable season. They clearly aren’t ready for that and have a ton of work to do. Getting that power play straightened out may be a top priority. Enough with the drop passes. Find a way to skate up the ice and get into the offensive zone.

You don’t see too many problems like that in the postseason, and if you do, they are able to make up for it in other areas. But having strong special teams units are important to me. I wish the Sabres would work on that.



Sabres re-sign Deslauriers

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed forward Nicolas Deslauriers to a two-year contract. Heading into this offseason, Deslauriers was a restricted free agent.

Deslauriers, acquired at the most recent trade deadline, played 17 games for the Sabres this season and tallied just one point (goal).

According to CapGeek, the contract is a one-way contract, so Deslauriers is expected to be in Buffalo when the season begins.
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