"Not much from a team that has languished at the bottom of NHL standings since the end of Ruff's first tenure as coach. He's back for a second stint and entering his second season says he's got a better grasp of what needs to be addressed. Ruff wants Buffalo to be more defensively responsible and play with a grittier style with the additions of Doan and Kesserling."
"The good: Buffalo's blue line features two No. 1 draft picks in captain Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, plus a No. 4 selection in Bowen Byram. The Sabres bulked up with the addition of the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Kesselring. Buffalo is also strong down the middle with centers Tage Thompson, trade deadline addition Josh Norris and Ryan McLeod. Thompson, however, might shift to the wing."
Buffalo finished 36-39-7 and extended its NHL-record playoff drought to 14 seasons. Lindy Ruff returns as coach for a second stint, seeking greater defensive responsibility and grittier play. Key departures include JJ Peterka, Connor Clifton, James Reimer, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Sam Lafferty; additions include Shane Doan, Michael Kesselring, Mason Geertsen, Justin Danforth, Alex Lyon and Alexandar Georgiev. The blue line features Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Bowen Byram, and the team added size with Kesselring. Centers include Tage Thompson, Josh Norris and Ryan McLeod, with Thompson potentially shifting to wing. Goaltending remains inconsistent with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonnen and Alex Lyon while Devon Levi will start in the minors. Forward depth, chemistry, culture and a competitive Atlantic Division are key concerns. Stanley Cup odds are 100-1.
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