We’ve had plenty of time to simmer down after the chaos that was the first week of free agency. It’s time to take a look at our team after the mess that was.
These would be the projected opening day lines, assuming the Patesch/Roy arbitration awards are retained by the Sabres.
Pominville-Connolly-Hecht
- Connolly has had a whole off season to regain his step and his game. He should be able to replace Briere on the top line with ease. His creativity and finesse should be able to set up the sniper Pominville well, and Hecht can provide some boardwork for the top line.
- The two question marks on this line is how Hecht is going to react after seeing both his original line mates setting sail in presumably better waters, and if Connolly is going to regain that form before the last concussion.
- Connolly is, in my opinion, more defensively responsible than Briere. He’s capable of playing on the PK, and has some sick defensive moves to go with his puck creativity on offense. I expect this line to emerge as a top line, probably 1B considering the contract showing up on the next line.
Vanek-Roy-Afinogenov
- This is the most expensive line on the Sabres team. It is not wrong to expect that this line should be the most bang for the buck. There’s no reason to break up this line considering the chemistry that’s evolved from these teammates throughout the seasons they’ve played together.
- Questions surrounding this line: Will Vanek and Roy live up to their contracts, pending Roy’s arbitration? It’s hard to be sure how 10 million reasons to be on the Sabres will affect Vanek. We’re hoping Lindy has something in his magic bag of tricks in the event Vanek starts to take time off on the ice.
- Expect this line to be the 1A line. Vanek will be keyed by the top defenders without question. Afinogenov has the wheels to keep the defenders reeling, and if he doesn’t revert into selfish mode, should be able to open up lanes for his line mates.
Kotalik-Mair-Stafford.
- Stafford should have no problem making the team this year. Unfortunately there’s little room on the top two lines for him to work. However, he made the comment (or mistake) that he’d be willing to help with the physical aspect of the team, so pairing him with Mair and Kotalik is a natural decision. Mair and AlKo will be able to teach the kid how to bang ’em up, and Stafford can assist with adding that offensive punch to make this a lethal line.
- There’s little to no questions about this line. It should work. It’s Beat ’em Up line 1, with the speed that could create opportunities on offense. Not to mention Kotalik has the shot that could break a goalie’s back.
- Expect Mair to have a breakout offensive season if this line sticks. I’ve always thought Mair had the offensive ability if he had the right linemates. Unfortunately we’ve seen him pretty much be a staple on the 4th line, so a promotion is well deserved for the Vet.
Paille-Gaustad-Peters/Kaleta
- This line is a difficult one to place. On one hand, Andrew Peters shows glimpses of his abilities and the reason why he was drafted in the second round in 1998. On the other hand, he often shows why he’s simply a relic from a dying art. Enforcers are becoming less and less necessary, but he’s always welcome to drop the gloves and punch somebody for the team if need be.
- This is the Beat ’em Up line 2. If you replace Peters with Kaleta, you’ve got a real hard hitting line that could give the opposition the fits. The Sabres need a Kaleta on the 4th line, for punishment purposes only. You also need Peters, despite popular opinion, because somebody’s gotta drop the gloves.
- This line will see maybe 5 minutes a night. But that 5 minutes may be all we need between a game breaking body check and a victory.
The defensive pairings will probably not change to be honest. Tallinder and Lydman will continually be our #1 defensive pairing. Kalinin and Spacek will team up again. Campbell and Numminen will continue to pair. You’ve also got the all-star goalie Miller and his more than capable but snake bitten backup, Jocelyn Thibault.
On paper, this team is good enough to make the playoffs. It very well may be good enough to advance past the ECF. What people don’t take the time to notice is that the grit is there, but it’s been sitting in the minor league all this time. This team will be tougher, emotionally and physically. We’re also in a better position this year where one trade or aquisition will put us over the top.
Come June 2008, will be we going “Drury/Briere who?” or will we be going “We should have never let them go.” We’ll find out starting October 5th.
