BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo Sabres are not going to the playoffs again this year, that is for certain. What is not certain is will they be able to make the necessary changes for next year to get back to the playoffs. We decided to break down the Sabres organization and take a look at what roster changes might be in store for the team come next season. In this first installment of the series, we take a look at the centers:
Centers:
Sidney Crosby - 19 yrs - 77 GP - 23 G - 56 A - 79 PTS - Buffalo, OTHL
Sidney Crosby was acquired form Washington in a midseason trade. He has been one of the only bright spots in the Sabres offense this season since coming over. He will easily claim the top line center position for next season, and hopefully a full season with wingers such as Thomas Vanek and Marion Gaborik, make a run for the Art Ross Trophy.
Danny Briere - 28 yrs - 74 GP - 20 G - 41 A - 61 PTS - Buffalo, OTHL
Briere will play on the second line, however he easily could be a top line center in almost any other team. Playing with wingers such as Derek Roy and Jason Pominville, he should be able to produce at near a point per game, and provide the Sabres with a Line 1B instead of a true second line.
Chris Drury - 30 yrs - 75 GP - 21 G - 26 A - 47 PTS - Buffalo, OTHL
Chris Drury has had a sub-par season for his standards. However, now that he is relegated to third line duty, he along with Jochen Hecht (and who ever fills in the 3rd line RW spot) will undoubtedly form the best third line in the league. Drury is a guy who can put up 30 goals and produce at near a point per game. If he can do that, then the Sabres will be sitting pretty with their third line.
Paul Gaustad - 23 yrs - 43 GP - 3 G - 4 A - 7 PTS - Buffalo, OTHL
Paul Gaustad will help form a very strong and tenacious fourth line. He also has some ability to put the puck in the net, so Gasutad netting 10 or more goals next season is a possibility. However, where he will be counted on most is to give the other top 3 lines a breather while he and his linemates go out and pound the opposition physically. He loves to initiate contact, and is wilingto drop them if he has too. He is a solid 4th line option, however if injuries arise, he would not look out of place on the third line.
Chris Thorburn - 23 yrs - 76 GP - 26 G - 43 A - 69 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
Thorburn is a little unpolished when it comes to the offenseve side of the game, but he loves to hit anything that moves. He is a good bet to fill in during times of injury for the Sabres. He would not allow the intensity of the line to decrease if he was called upon to fill in for Gaustad.
Clarke MacArthur - 21 yrs - 4 GP - 1 G - 1 A - 2 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
MacArthur has the talent to be a 2nd line center in the future. For next year he will stay in Rochester and play on the 2nd line there, and help out in Buffalo during the occasional injury call up.
Keih Aucoin - 28 yrs - 78 GP - 34 G - 48 A - 82 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
Aucoin is not really OTHL material, but he could fill in on a short term basis if necessary. His main duty for the organizatin is to provide experience and leadership to the young kids down in Rochester. He will play on the top line down in Rochester, and look to lead the team to the OTHML playoffs.
Ben Guite - 28 yrs - 4 GP - 3 G - 2 A - 5 PTS - Rochster, OTHML
Ben Guite was just signed by Buffalo a few days ago. He will look to challenege for a starting spot in Rochester, and fill in for the occasional injury call up to Buffalo.
Dave Gove - 27 yrs - 78 GP - 27 G - 45 A - 72 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
Gove is another leader for the Amerks. He played really well this past year, and will look to challenge MacArthur for the 2nd line spot behind Aucoin. He would be avilable to Buffalo in case of injury call ups.
Rod Pelley - 22 yrs - 2 GP - 0 G - 0 A - 0 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
Rod Pelley is a young kid who has some talent and will try to develop his skills in the OTHML. Should he be able to do that, he may see Buffalo in 1 to 2 years.
Gabe Gauthier - 23 yrs - 2 GP - 0 G - 2 A - 2 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
Like Pelley, Gauthier has some seasoning to do in Rochester. He might be ready for the big time in 2 to 3 years.
Rich Peverely - 24 yrs - 2 GP - 0 G - 0 A - 0 PTS - Rochester, OTHML
Peverely is also new to the organization having signed a contract a few days ago. He too needs some time to build up his expereince and practice his skills before making the jump to Buffalo. He may be ready in 2 to 3 years.