Vandaman26 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 The Sens and Leafs didn't change much, Montreal tweaked their line-up a bit and Boston...well u know, won the Cup (why need to change). Getting Regehr and Ehrhoff definently helps out Miller and Leino will be 5x wht Niedemayer evr was. Is getting these three playrs giving Buffalo a legit chance at battling for the division title?
gregkash Posted July 16, 2011 Report Posted July 16, 2011 I think Boston still has to be considered the favorite to win the division but I would not be surprised to see us make it a close race.
RazielSabre Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 I think we have a good chance or winning. Boston will be good competition, not sure so much for the leafs or sens. Montreal always sits in the middle of the pack.
wjag Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 Tim Thomas will revert. Boston will slump. They don't have the scoring to overcome a normal year for Thomas. I say the division is wide open. Teams with lots of new players take time to gel. That has me moderating my early season expectations for Buffalo. I need to see how all the new toys fit together before I raise my expectations.
thesportsbuff Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 I think that on paper, there's no reason the Sabres shouldn't compete for the division, probably mostly with Boston as I don't think Montreal has that good of a team, and certainly Ottawa and Toronto are a few steps behind. Not that it really matters, but given the pending re-alignment possibilities, this could be the last year the Northeast Division stays in tact! So I want the Sabres to win it one last time haha... even if just one or two teams are swapped, it's kind of like the "tradition" to me -- where a lot of you guys probably grew up with the Adams/Patrick/Norris/etc divisions, it will be a big change for us younger fans and someday we'll be the ones talking about the great re-alignment of 2012 rather than the 93 makeover. But back on topic: yeah, as wjag said, it could take some time for our players to gel and develop chemistry, but I still expect to be in the conversation all season. I can't deny that Boston was a very impressive team in the playoffs (obviously...) but even now, their roster just doesn't seem like a championship roster. I wonder if they were just "the team that got hot at the right time" last season, you know? I wouldn't be surprised if Buffalo beats them out for the division. Maybe it's too early to write off Toronto though, and no, not because of Connolly! Haha. But as many of us will say Buffalo was a top 2 or 3 team in the league after January 1st this past season, Toronto was also right up there, maybe rounding out the Top 5 with NJ -- all three teams had an impressive second half to the season. I don't know that Toronto necessarily got BETTER this off-season, but the few tweaks they did make could be the difference between 7th and 8th place. I doubt they compete for the division, but since this thread is about the division, it's worth mentioning that I think they'll be a middle of the pack team this year, maybe sneaking into 8th place.
RazielSabre Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 Tim Thomas will revert. Boston will slump. They don't have the scoring to overcome a normal year for Thomas. I say the division is wide open. Teams with lots of new players take time to gel. That has me moderating my early season expectations for Buffalo. I need to see how all the new toys fit together before I raise my expectations. Having thought about it, your opinion is better than mine lol.
MillerLight30 Posted July 17, 2011 Report Posted July 17, 2011 That would be cool to see Buffalo beat out the defending champs for the division. Like thesportsbuff said, Buffalo was one of the better teams after January 1st, and considering how well the Sabres played after Roy got hurt while at a point per game pace and losing Pommer earlier in the year to a concussion, picture how well we can do ontop of the additions of Regehr, Ehrhoff and Leino with Roy and Pommer healthy.
Supersabre Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 I hope that I'm not being too overly optimistic but I really like the Sabres chances of winning the division. Can't wait for hockey to start to see how the season plays out. Go Sabres!!!
ROCBuffalo Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 I hope that I'm not being too overly optimistic but I really like the Sabres chances of winning the division. Can't wait for hockey to start to see how the season plays out. Go Sabres!!! In order for the Sabres to win, Miller needs to step up. He is a great goalie and needs to show us that he can carry a team. He now has a solid defense around him. I really hope that the money we spent will prove to be worth it. Not so sure on the Leino pick cause the last thing we need is another winger (even though he will be playing center,he is a proven wingman not center). But I am excited as well.
bunomatic Posted July 18, 2011 Report Posted July 18, 2011 In order for the Sabres to win, Miller needs to step up. He is a great goalie and needs to show us that he can carry a team. He now has a solid defense around him. I really hope that the money we spent will prove to be worth it. Not so sure on the Leino pick cause the last thing we need is another winger (even though he will be playing center,he is a proven wingman not center). But I am excited as well. I think Leino is a centre that proved he can play wing. Stepping back into the centre position for him should be an easy transition. Thats what the brass believes so I'm hopefull.
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