In return to Buffalo, can Lindy Ruff provide structure that leads Sabres back into postseason?
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Coach Lindy Ruff’s return provides 16 years of experience behind the Sabres bench. Can he bring luster back to a franchise that's floundered through various rebuilding plans, is on its fourth general manager and gone through six coaches since Ruff was fired a month into the lockout shortened 2013 season?
At the very least, the 64-year-old brings structure and discipline to a young roster that unraveled through last season. The Sabres have talent with forwards Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, and defensemen Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram.
The question is whether Ruff can re-establish a culture of winning on a team that’s too often been fragile and disconnected. In net, the Sabres believe they’re finally settled after goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen showed consistency in going 21-14-2 with four shutouts after taking over the No. 1 role in late December.
Strengths and weaknesses
THE GOOD: The Sabres are counting on a healthy Thompson to be a 35-plus goal-scorer again after injuries limited him to 29 last year. Peterka blossomed into an offensive threat with a 28-goal season. Buffalo’s blue line is deep with play-making ability. And the Sabres added grit in remaking their checking line with the additions of Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Beck Malenstyn and Sam Lafferty.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD: There’s much for Ruff to fix on a team that too often played from behind in allowing an NHL-high 97 first-period goals, while scoring just 67 (tied for 26th). Buffalo’s power play lacked creativity in finishing 29th in converting 37 of 223 opportunities. Getting bottled up in their own zone was an issue on one end, and the lack of a net-front presence was a problem at the other.
Players to watch
Forward Jack Quinn continued showing glimpses of his offensive potential in scoring nine goals and 19 points in 27 games, while missing long stretches with injuries in his second full NHL season. Forward Zach Benson learned the ups-and-downs of an NHL season as an 18-year-old last year, leading to an expectation he can better his production of 11 goals and 30 points in 71 games. And 20-year-old forward Jiri Kulich could land a spot on the NHL roster after a promising prospects camp and him scoring 51 goals in 119 AHL games the past two years.
LAST SEASON: 39-37-6, extended NHL-worst playoff drought to a 13th season.
COACH: Lindy Ruff, hired April 22. (571-432-84 and 78 ties over 16 seasons with three teams, including previous stint in Buffalo).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 4 vs. New Jersey in Prague, Czech Republic.
DEPARTURES: LW Jeff Skinner, C Zemgus Girgensons, RW Victor Olofsson, C Matthew Savoie, coach Don Granato.
ADDITIONS: Ruff, F Ryan McLeod, F Jason Zucker, RW Nicolas Aube-Kubel, LW Beck Malenstyn, D Dennis Gilbert, F Sam Lafferty, G James Reimer.
GOALIES: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (27-22-4, 2.57 goals-against average, 0.91 save percentage), Devon Levi (10-8-2, 3.10, 0.89) and Reimer (11-8-2, 3.11, 0.904).
STANLEY CUP ODDS: 50-1.