|
|
|
Wednesday, November 8, 2000
Puck stops, success starts with Hasek
By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell
Special to ESPN.com
|
As Dominik Hasek goes, so go the Sabres. That's nothing new, but it just seems that no matter if the club is laden with veterans or top-heavy with kids, a healthy Hasek makes it happen for Buffalo.
|
 |
|
|
Wed., Sept. 27
There is no question that the Sabres need big years from Dominik Hasek, Michael Peca and Doug Gilmour. Hasek is always their key and will have to play like only he can. If he plays like his old self, the Sabres will be in every game and should be a playoff team. The Sabres, though, have trouble generating any scoring. If Gilmour, in one of his last seasons, can put up 70 points and Peca – if/when he signs – can produce 25 goals and 50 points, the Sabres will be a real factor in the Eastern Conference like they were two years ago. |
|
|
Hasek was supposed to be retired by now and living in his
native Czech Republic. However, because of a nasty groin injury that limited
Hasek to 35 games last season, he reconsidered and has come back with renewed enthusiasm.
The club itself finished one game under .500 in the regular season,
which was good for eighth place in the Eastern Conference and a spot in the
postseason. However, they were punched out in the first round by Philadelphia
in five games and spent the summer licking their wounds.
General manager Darcy Regier added veteran Dave Andreychuk, an unrestricted free agent who spent the first 11 years of his career in a
Sabres uniform. Andreychuk was signed to help steady the game of young
right wing Maxim Afinogenov, a player with star potential. Oddly, Afinogenov scored
16 total goals but only two on the road. He's regarded as the fastest skater
on the club but too often wanted to do it all by himself. One full season in
the league has likely made him aware that it doesn't work.
Another key veteran is center Doug Gilmour, whom the Sabres acquired at
the trade deadline last spring. Gilmour took an emotional beating playing in
Chicago last year and should thrive in the warmer, friendlier confines of
Buffalo, which belie the frigid climate. Gilmour admitted to having a few
dark moments over the summer, thinking retirement was near when he watched
his friends Dave Ellett and Wendel Clark bid the game farewell. But Gilmour realized he wasn't ready for that and now says he wants to play this year and
more.
If the Sabres are to succeed, they need hard-working center Mike
Peca. But Peca, a restricted free agent, is
seeking $4 million a year which is a whole lot more ($1.5 million more) than
the team is willing to pay. Both sides seem resolute in their positions, but
if the Sabres stumble out of the gate, it could affect the offer. If the
Sabres have a good start, it could alter Peca's demands.
The truth of the matter: Hasek is this team. How he plays will
determine how many games the Sabres win. The good news is that, after two
seasons of groin problems, the long offseason went a long way toward curing
him. Hasek has even hinted he'd play beyond this year. He doesn't want to
retire without winning a Stanley Cup and his team's Cinderella run to the finals two years ago only whetted his appetite.
He's ultra-hungry this year.
|
Bottom Line on the Sabres
|
|
Strengths
|
Weaknesses
|
|
Goaltending
|
Scoring
|
|
Defense
|
Power play
|
|
Penalty killing
|
|
|
SEASON OUTLOOK: The attitude at camp this season is much better than last year. The Sabres had an awful start (0-5-2) and were still bitter about losing in the Stanley Cup finals to Dallas on a disputed Brett Hull
goal. This year, they've risen above that hangover and instead of being mad, they want to get even. With a healthy Hasek, as we've seen before, anything is possible. |
Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe writes a weekly national NHL column for ESPN.com.
|
|
ALSO SEE
Toronto Maple Leafs preview
Ottawa Senators preview
Montreal Canadiens preview
Boston Bruins preview
|
|
