PHN Mock NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Oh how the mighty have fallen. A franchise once thought of not so long ago as the model of the “new NHL” has risen and fallen almost as quickly as that of Brittney Spears singing career. The Buffalo Sabres looked like what most NHL teams should look like in the new era, fun, exciting, and as fast as can be. Buffalo, a team that has never been particularly big, but quick with talent to burn, fell on some hard times with the loss of some key free agents. Despite the off-year they still managed to have 10 players with 10 or more goals, five players with 20 or more, and two players (Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek) with 30 or more. Despite their array of offensive talent, the Sabres missed the playoffs one year removed from being tied for the league lead in points. Once again the Sabres were forced for financial reasons to move defenseman Brian Campbell. That said the Sabres lack of defense is what caused thedownfall of Buffalo as the Sabres finished 22nd out of 30 teams in goals allowed (2.84). Buffalo was in the middle of the pack in both special teams categories. That said defense will be the key for the Sabres to get back on track in the near future. The Sabres have five forwards that are free agents and you can bet that the pressure will be on Buffalo management to keep at least 3 of the 5. One defense, Teppo Numminen will most likely retire which will free up $2.5 million off the cap, while Dmitri Kalinin, who was a negative seven for the season, might also be asked to walk with his $2.25 million dollar cap hit. The Sabres have some talent in the system in T.J. Brennan as well as Jhonas Enroth and Marc-Andre Gragnani so the future on the blueline seems bright. The Sabres might have to go the goaltending route come draft time, but the problem is the Sabres draft thirteenth and might not deem a goaltender worth taking that high in the draft, but they might be able to get one in the later rounds. The future is all about Ryan Miller who is a solid goaltender but might need to be pushed. In a very deep draft for defensive help, it looks as though the Sabres will go for blueline with their first pick in the draft as Buffalo has two first round picks this year. The key now will be do the Sabres go for best player or for need with their first pick. If Kyle Beach, a center, is still on the board, he might be the pick, otherwise, the Sabres will go for defense and Micheal Del Zotto could fit the bill. The Oshawa Generals defenseman, according to CentralScouting Director E.J. Maguire, is perfect for the Sabres if you believe this scouting report on Del Zotto. “He is the new breed offensive defenseman who jumps up into the rush effectively,” said Maguire. “He either follows up a rush to add a second dimension or there are times that he is capable of leading the rush himself. As an offensive defenseman, he is prototypical.” Sounds like the perfect pick for the Sabres if you ask us, so expect to hear these words from General Manager Darcy Regier at the podium come draft time. “With the thirteenth pick of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres proudly select, from the Oshawa Generals, defenseman Micheal Del Zotto.” Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com