Regular Season Finish: 10th in Eastern Conference
In 2008-09, Buffalo finished 2 points out of the playoffs, finishing with the same amount of wins as the 8th place Canadiens, but 2 more regulation losses. While this clearly wasn’t the result the Sabres were hoping for, the fact that they came so close to reaching the postseason despite playing 23 games without their starting goalie, Ryan Miller, they can still take some solace in the reality that they very well could have finished much higher in the standings had they not been bitten by the injury bug. Miller finished with 34 wins, despite playing in only 59 games, while center Tim Connolly finished 4th on the team in scoring with 47 points, despite missing nearly half the season. 
The Sabres don’t spring to mind as one of the top offensive or defensive teams in the NHL, but they finished 6th in the Eastern Conference in both goals scored and allowed. If they can keep a consistent offense in place next season, and Miller can stay healthy, Buffalo should be in good shape. The Sabres didn’t lose much to free agency this season, although they will be without the services of Maxim Afinogenov. The flashy Russian had the worst season of his career in ’08-09, however, finishing the season with only 6 goals and 20 points in 48 games.
The Sabres’ have made only three new acquisitions this summer, adding 2 defensemen and one sizable center in Cody McCormick. They signed Steve Montador to a two year deal, as well as adding Joe Dipenta, who spent last season in the Swedish Elitserien. DiPenta is a solid 6’2, 205 lbs, and played for the Ducks during their run to the Cup in 2007. Montador is a solid NHL defenseman as well, having scored at least 20 points in both his last two seasons.
The Sabres also added some bulk and scoring talent up front by drafting Zack Kassian, a power forward out of the OHL. Kassian had 63 points and 136 penalty minutes for Peterborough last season, and his 210-pound frame should provide a welcome physical presence to a Buffalo squad which has been without a skilled physical player for some time now.