Buffalo Sabres

How much can a coaching staff that's long on expertise help a lineup that's short on talent?

By Stephen Cannella

Team Page | Predicted Finish: 20

When the Sabres miss the playoffs for the third straight year, it won't be for a lack of coaching. Lindy Ruff's staff, which increased to three full-time assistants when Jim Corsi was promoted from part-time goaltending coach this summer, grew again during training camp. Rick Martin, third on the club's alltime scoring list and one of four Buffalo players to have had his number retired, was recruited to be "skill development coach." He will work with the forwards and, if nothing else, remind Sabres fans of better days.

Chris Drury Dave Sandford/Getty Images/NHLI SI RANKING (1 best - 30 worst) OFFENSE 23 DEFENSE 15 GOALTENDING 17 POWER PLAY 19 PENALTY KILLING 12 G.M. AND COACH 25

No other team has a skill development coach, but necessity is the mother of invention. Last season Buffalo scored 190 goals, the fewest for a full season in franchise history. The 52-year-old Martin, a 40-goal scorer five times in his career, surely remembers a few offensive tricks. "He knows the subtleties of scoring," says general manager Darcy Regier. "If he can help guys with release time or the ability to set up in the zone, it could mean one or two more chances per game."

But the only proven scorers in the lineup are left wing Miroslav Satan, who had 26 goals last season and has led the team in scoring the past two years; new top-line center Chris Drury, acquired in an off-season trade from Calgary; and right wing Ales Kotalik, who had 21 goals as a rookie last year.

The goaltending situation needs to be clarified. Martin Biron, who in his first year as the starter, in 2001-02, won 31 games, regressed last season (17-28-6, 2.56 GAA) and briefly lost his job to backup Mika Noronen and prospect Ryan Miller. Frustrated by Biron's frequent lapses of concentration and poor work ethic, Buffalo might switch to the 23-year-old Miller if Biron doesn't show signs of a turnaround.

At least the Sabres, who were bought by billionaire Thomas Golisano in the spring, no longer have to play with the fear of bankruptcy or relocation. "A year ago we were just trying to survive," says Regier, who has been told by the new regime that missing the playoffs will likely cost him his job. "Now we have a sense of stability and direction."

But they're not headed to the postseason.

Insider

The Sabres will be the most improved club in the East, but they're probably still too small down the middle to be a playoff team.... They have excellent mobility on the blue line, and it's vital for the club to incorporate their defensemen into the rush as much as possible to punch up scoring.... Expect D Dmitri Kalinin, in his third full year, to emerge.... C Chris Drury is an excellent pickup who will provide leadership, while the addition of diminutive C Daniel Briere should spark the power play.

Issue date: October 13, 2003