In this edition of the hotstove we share some early season thoughts/takeaways based on what we've seen thus far.
Todd Cordell
I'm going to say the Buffalo Sabres.
They have a good top line but absolutely no depth up front. The Jack Eichel injury hurts a lot, obviously, but Derek Grant, who has three points in 43 NHL games, logged more than 15 minutes last time out while Brian Gionta logged more than 17. That speaks volumes to me.
I don't like Buffalo's defense (Josh Gorges playing important minutes is disastrous) and I'm not confident Robin Lehner can stay healthy for a full season. If he can't Anders Nilsson, who has ~.900 career save percentage, is not someone capable of giving the Sabres quality goaltending.
Through three games the Sabres have controlled ~40% of the shot attempts and below 40% of the scoring chances at 5 v 5. I expect their numbers will come up a bit but with the lack of depth they have from top to bottom I'm going to say that is no fluke.
Honorable mention goes to the Vancouver Canucks. Like the Sabres, they have a very good top line and not much after it. I think they'll come down to earth sooner than later.
Peter Tessier
I'd like to say the Jets because they are looking lost but I do think they turn it around and find a the middle ground of the non-playoff teams. This one is tough to answer because it's so hard to predict something so early on.
My simple WAG (wild ass guess) process suggests these as possible bottom feeders:
Canucks
Sabres
Blue Jackets
Jets
Oilers
Hurricanes
Take your pick and then see who starts racking up the injuries that will be the one team who can't recover so that might be Buffalo with the early lead.
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