BUFFALO SABRES
Seeing the owner handcuffed and disappearing into a police cruiser is an sure sign that your hockey team is in for a rough year. But the Sabres scraped through, emerging with a new man at the top and new hope for the future. Fans can at least look forward to less talk of missed paydays and fraud indictments, no matter what happens on the ice.
But the Sabres remain a low-budget operation in a big-budget game, so the tradition of financial standoffs with star players continues. Miroslav Satan – who outscored his nearest team mate by 40 points last season – and defensive veteran Jay McKee are without contracts. If they remain on the sidelines into November, this season is a write-off.
Satan was the only Sabre who could find the net last year. Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Andy Delmore, all arrived since March, should generate more goals. But Delmore appears a one-trick defenseman – a power play point man – and the other two aren’t very big. How their Western Conference success translates in the East is a crucial issue. Maxim Afinogenov, a 21-goal scorer two year ago, hasn’t been the same since taking a puck in the head last fall. A return to form by him would be a huge bonus.
On defense, the trade of Rhett Warrener and the 40th birthday of James Patrick should result in more ice time for young guys like Brian Campbell and Henrik Tallinder. They deserve the chance, but transitional years on defense are always fraught with risk.
Update: The Sabres have reached terms with Satan and McKee. Satan missed most of training camp before getting a two-year contract on September 30. McKee received his two-year deal six days previous.
Trouble: We have long heard that Buffalo is loaded in net, with three future stars. But present goaltending stars are in short supply, and at 26 years old, starter Martin Biron can no longer get by on potential.
On the Spot: General manager Darcy Regier is used to hanging tough in contract disputes. But another dismal season would be crippling, squandering all the good vibes generated by new ownership. Satan and McKee are crucial to the Sabres’ revival, especially Satan.
The Forecast: With everyone under contract, the Sabres will take a step forward. But they are not playoff contenders until a dependable goaltender emerges.
The Call: 13th in the Eastern Conference.
Who's in:
Defenseman Joel Bouchard (free agent from Pittsburgh)
Defenseman Andy Delmore (trade from Nashville)
Center Chris Drury (trade from Calgary)
Center Steve Begin (trade from Calgary)
Who’s Out:
Defenseman Rhett Warrener (trade to Calgary)
Defenseman Keith Ballard (trade to Colorado)
Right winger Denis Hamel (free agent to Ottawa)
2002-03 Regular Season Numbers:
Payroll:
$31,079,166, 23rd overall
(Hockey News, November 15/02. Bonuses not included.)
- Record: 27-37-10-8 for 72 points.
- At home: 18-16-5-2.
- On the road: 9-21-5-6.
- Finish: 26th overall, 12th in the Western Conference, 5th in Northeast Division.
- Goals for: 190 (2.32 per game), 25th overall.
- Goals against: 219 (2.67 per game), 13th overall.
- Goal differential: Minus-29, 24th overall.
- Power play: 18.2 percent, 8th overall.
- Penalty kill: 82.7 percent, tied for 17th overall.
Goaltending:
- Martin Biron, 54-17-28-6, 2.56 GAA, .908 SV PCT, 4 SO.
- Mika Noronen, 16-4-9-3, 2.42 GAA, .912 SV PCT, 1 SO.
- Ryan Miller, 15-6-8-1, 2.63 GAA, .902 SV PCT, 1 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Right winger Miroslav Satan, 79-26-49-75.
- Power play points: Miroslav Satan, 79-11-20-31.
- Game-winning goals: Center Curtis Brown, 4.
- Ice time: Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, 26:32 per game.
- Plus/minus: Curtis Brown, plus-4
Left winger Jochen Hecht, plus-4.
