GDHQNHL15_4pg-Buffalo Sabres 1

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Buffalo EASTERN CONFERENCE SABRES ATLANTIC DIVISION Brian Gionta Offense The Buffalo Sabres suffered through a miserable season last year, and the offense was a major factor. Their 157 goals scored ranked last in the NHL and was 39 fewer than the closest team. They also finished the season with eight fewer wins and 14 fewer points than any other team. Cody Hodgson, who was asked to move from center to left wing during the season, led the team with 44 points scored, but that ranked just 116th in the entire NHL. On the bright side, Hodgson and the team’s second leading scorer, center Tyler Ennis, will both be 24-years old at the start of the season. Second line center Zemgus Girgensons was just 19-years old for much of his rookie year, and center Sam Reinhart, the second overall draft pick in 2014, could make an impact at just 18- years old. The youngsters will have a bit of veteran help with the offseason signings of wingers Matt Moulson and Brian Gionta. Moulson spent 44 games with the Sabres last season after he was traded from the New York Islanders, but he was then moved to the Minnesota Wild at the trade deadline. After scoring 23 goals and 51 points across all three destinations, he returns to Buffalo, a city he grew to love in his short stint with the team. Gionta, entering his 13th season in the NHL, signed a three-year contract with the Sabres after playing with the Montreal Canadiens last year. The 35-year old, who won a Stanley Cup championship with the New Jersey Devils in 2003, has continued to be productive into the Key Additions: Matt Moulson, Brian Gionta, Josh Gorges, Andrej Meszaros Key Subtractions: Christian Ehrhoff, Matt D’Agostino Strengths: Veteran acquisitions, potential For offensive improvement Weaknesses: Lack of goal scorers, unsettled at goalie Bill Wippert/NHL/Getty Images


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