As a senior who is not native to Buffalo, I've heard the same thing about the Sabres the past four Septembers: "This is the year will are going to win it all."
Some Sabres fans are self-aware and realize that their team is average and can make the playoffs and maybe make it past the first round, and won't get worked up about a few wins or losses. But the majority go crazy during every streak.
Buffalo stands two points out of a playoff spot. But remember fans, only a month ago the Sabres were 14th in the east.
During that time, fans wanted the Sabres to let their biggest names go. They wanted head coach Lindy Ruff fired and Miller traded. The Sabres went another way and traded grinder and faceoff expert Paul "The Goose" Gaustad and a fourth round pick to Nashville for a first round pick.
The Sabres have since climbed the standings and now everyone is back on the bandwagon. I've never seen so many fans with such polar opposite remarks about a team, even after games on back-to-back nights. A win, and Facebook explodes with how great the Sabres are and a loss is followed by a list of players and personnel that need to be shipped elsewhere.
Since Chris Drury and Danny Bri??re left in 2007 after back-to-back conference finals appearances, Buffalo has been inconsistent at best. One of two things will happen this year. Either the Sabres will put themselves in a position to make the playoffs and choke in the final days of the regular season, or they will make the playoffs and lose in tragic fashion to a better team, so there is no sense getting worked up about it.
The Sabres won't make any noise in the playoffs this season. The best chance the Sabres have to get over the first round hump would be to get the sixth seed and play the winner of the southeast division. However, they are currently nine points behind the Devils for that spot with 10 games to go and if there is one thing we know about Buffalo sports teams, it's that they don't know how to rise to the occasion. So the Sabres will most likely bow out to a top seeded team in the first round.
Honestly, this season will be another forgettable one for the Sabres. Owner Terry Pegula's first big signing - Ville Leino - was a bust. But, the Sabres will have two first round picks in the upcoming draft, one middle pick and Nashville's late round to work with.
Also, rumors were circulating that Gaustad may re-sign in the offseason. However, the Sabres need a top center. That is why the biggest offseason move in the NHL needs to involve the Sabres.
Miller should be traded. Miller isn't in the top 20 in save percentage or goals against average. The lackluster defense in front of him is part of the problem but that is where the trade comes.
It doesn't matter how good your goalie is if you can't score. The Rangers went out and signed Gaborik and Richards to score in front of Lundqvist and now they are an elite team.
People still remember how good Miller was in the Olympics. A team like Tampa Bay or Edmonton that could be a playoff team would be willing to give up guys for Miller. The Sabres could get a top-six forward, a top-four defenseman and even a middle round draft pick. Also, Enroth is 23 and has played 25 games this season. His save percentage is better than Miller's and he has proven he can play at the NHL level.
But until Pegula signs an elite NHL player that can lead a Sabres team that has just three players and goalie over the age of 30, they will remain in a state of mediocrity.
Email: bryan.feiler@ubspectrum.com
