2011-2012 Preseason What To Watch For: Buffalo Sabres Special Teams

by Zachary Zielonka on Aug 29, 2011 10:01 AM EDT

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 26: Tyler Myers #57 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a third period power play goal against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 26 2010 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Sabres 6-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With the start of the preseason less than three weeks away, we start our look at the ten things to watch for the 2011-2012 Buffalo Sabres season. We start with taking a look at the changes to the Sabres special teams.

The Buffalo Sabres special teams had a power play that finished ninth in the league with a 19.3% conversion rate and a penalty kill that finished 13th in the league with a kill rate of 83.0%. With a bunch of player and coaching changes during the offseason, what will the Sabres special teams look like at the beginning of April.

Player Changes

One aspect of the Sabres offense that was missing was the presence of a power play quarterback and the signing of Christian Ehrhoff should help that. Ehrhoff had six power play goals for Vancouver last season which led all Canucks defensemen and was tied for ninth in the league among defensemen. If he was plugged into the Sabres power play last year, Ehrhoff's six goals would have placed him in a tie for third with Tim Connolly and Brad Boyes, one of which is no longer with the team.

With the loss of Tim Connolly on the first power play unit and the propensity to roll four forwards and one defenseman, the Sabres starting power play unit on opening night should be Thomas Vanek, Drew Stafford, Derek Roy, and Jason Pominville with Ehrhoff as the lone defenseman. The second unit will probably showcase Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Ennis, Brad Boyes at forward and Jordon Leopold and Tyler Myers on defense.

When it comes to the penalty kill, the addition of Robyn Regher will help the Sabres on the backend as he was a key part of the Flames penalty kill last year. Both he and Jay Bouwmeester were the Flames leaders in time on ice. Regher averaged 3:12/game in penalty kill time which would have placed him first on the Sabres last season by a full :29/game.

Coaching Changes

While the Sabres have brought in a couple of players that can help the special teams on defense, changes with the assistant coaches will change the philosophies in how the team will approach their special teams. Brian McCutcheon was an assistant coach with the Sabres for 11 seasons and was major part of how the Sabres special teams and the power play especially, functioned on the ice.

Kevyn Adams was hired to replace McCutcheon and it could be interesting to see how the coaching philosophy will change with the power play. One of the main caveats of the Sabres power play was the inability to change on the fly as the players seemed to try and make things work their way rather than adapt to what the opponents' penalty kill was throwing at them.

The Sabres also struggled with giving up shorthanded goals last season as well. Buffalo's 13 shorthanded goals was third worst on the league last year. That was the most they have given up in the past four seasons when they gave up 13 during the President's Trophy season. Shoring up those shorthanded chances is something that will have to be changed as we head into this season.

The Sabres special teams has been one of the most consistent parts of the team as the penalty kill has finished in the top half of the league in each of the past three seasons and the power play has been in the top ten in the league in two of the past three seasons. How the team will adjust heading into this upcoming season is one thing to watch for this season.

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Leino?

For the money they are paying, I would think Ville Leino will be on either the first or second power play unit.

by Jim Everett on Aug 29, 2011 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

I agree, though this is another one of those things that Ruff changes so frequently it’s almost pointless to try to speculate. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2 D-men on the first unit either.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Aug 29, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Plus, in another article on here a few months back (before we signed him), it said how he lead the league in garbage goals. Let Leopold and Myers fire on the net and have Leino clean up.

by maestro110584 on Aug 29, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Regehr also would have led the Sabres in blocked shots last season. More than that, he gives the team the big, physical presence around Miller that they needed more of. He should help the pk quite a bit.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Aug 29, 2011 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY is all I can see. So excited.

Shutdown Pair - Follow on Twitter - Mustaches for Martin

by TheTick on Aug 29, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

Special Teams

I still believe that winning face offs is a big part of special teams. I don’t see where the Sabres improved in that area at all

by Winnie33 on Aug 29, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Return of healthy Roy (he’s pretty good at them)
Leino > Connolly at faceoffs, improved there.
Adam will likely improve at faceoffs this year, he is still developing.
Hecht isn’t so bad, and Gaustad is the best to be used in a pinch

So I’d venture to say it’s a non-issue. Definitely improved with Leino > Connolly and return of Roy.

by lassathrax on Aug 29, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t realize the Sabres were one of the worst teams overall at faceoffs last year, coming in tied at 25th with a FO% of 47.7. While logic would certainly suggest that winning faceoffs would have a significant impact on special teams, just glancing at the stats it doesn’t really seem to be that way. For example, Anaheim was tied with us in FO% but they were tied for 2nd in the league with a 23.5 PP%. Meanwhile, Florida was one of the top teams in FO% at 51.9 but came in dead last in PP% at 13.1. There simply isn’t enough difference among teams in overall faceoff %. I’m sure we could see more with situational team faceoff stats, but I can’t find any for last year – anybody know a place?

by Frank Reich Revolution on Aug 29, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Heres my guess for the PP teams.

PP1:
Vanek – Roy – Stafford
Ehrhoff – Pommers

PP2:
Gerbe – Leino – Ennis
Kotalik – Myers

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 29, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

maybe swap Staff and Ennis...

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 29, 2011 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

You like the 4-forwards-1-defenseman PP setup? I’m not convinced it’s worth the extra SHG against, personally (even with Miller back there).

by lassathrax on Aug 29, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Ive always been a fan of the 4 forwards, 1 dman on the PP

Pommer is defensive minded enough to know when to pinch and when to get back. and Myers can cover for Kots slower feet.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 29, 2011 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Erhoff was more of a floater (moving around to find open angles) than a QB on the PP. If this is so, the Sabres would need to have two D on that PP lineup. Myers or Leopold would be better at the D QB.

by drwho62 on Aug 30, 2011 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea he is.

We could run one set-up with four forwards, and one with three (this one would have Ehrhoff on it). I would like to see Grags out there on the PP, but I am sure he is a 7th D and would not be able to crack the lineup in less a someone is injured or having a bad few games.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Aug 30, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

No Leopold, Grags, or Sekera?

They all have good ability on the point. Between Ehrhoff, Myers, Sekera, Leopold, and Gragani, there is plenty of offensive ability among the defense, so hopefully having a forward play the point is no longer necessary.

by lgbfromoregon on Aug 29, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Not at first, no I dont think theyll be on the PP.

Grags possibly… but hes not going to be “regular” enough with him most likely being the 7th dman.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 29, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I wrote my comment above and saw you wrote this as well. Its so nice that we have a decent amount of D depth on this team.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Aug 30, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

You think Kotalik is actually going to make this team?

Die By The Blade - Where we've even turned ourselves around since January 1st.

by Zachary Zielonka on Aug 29, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep.

I think he’ll score 20 this year in Buffalo.

And I like him on the point with his big shot, Leino in front to clean up the mess.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 29, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions

So in your opinion what is the best way for the Sabres get under the cap if Kotalik plays in Buffalo? It’s certainly a tough situation.

by lassathrax on Aug 29, 2011 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Morrisonn will be gone I think.

And I still see them dumping Boyes before Kotalik…

I wont say Id be shocked if Ales is gone, but I think he has a rejuvanation here in Buffalo and gets back to his 20 goals.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Aug 30, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I would be surprised to see Boyes gone before Kotalik. Cap wise, Boyes is $1 million more, but I think he is much more talented than Kotalik is at this point in his career. Kotalik only played in 26 NHL games last season; the other 25 were in Abbotsford.

He could always have a hot start though…I remember in 2009-2010 with the Rangers he was a 0.9 ppg player for the first 20 games of the season; then he only scored 4 points in their remaining 25. I am all for him having a good camp, since having a strong competition in camp can only make our team stronger in the regular season.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Aug 30, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Dumping Boyes before Kotalik?

I would be very against that move. Kotalik is so slow and a defensive liability. Boyes has a much better overall game and can help our team more than Kotalik.

by Rally_Shots on Aug 30, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I can see them trading Boyes over Kotalik solely because no one wants Kotalik at 3M but many teams would want Boyes at 4M, but I hope that those “many teams” include Buffalo because Boyes was a huge boost last season and is a proven NHL-caliber player unlike Kotalik who probably belongs in Europe at this point. I’d love to see Kots regain the scoring touch he had in his best seasons here, but with this cap crunch I can’t see him getting a legitimate chance to do so. Hell, I think I’d be pissed at Darcy if he does give Kotalik a fair chance because that will mean we sacrificed a better player somewhere to make it happen.

by lassathrax on Aug 30, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

he ain’t makin the cut.

by buzzin on Aug 30, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

You really think Kotalik will be a Sabre?

by Winnie33 on Aug 30, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

an cant reed

by lassathrax on Aug 30, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Brutal

The only power play Kotalik is on will be in Rochester. I don`t believe he is an NHL caliber forward anymore. I loved the time when he was playing the power play for the Rangers and Kaleta undressed him to score a short-handed goal. I think if he makes the Sabres roster the Sabres would be best to dress 13 forwards and 5 defensemen because five on five he is brutal!!! The only time he should be on the ice is during power plays and shootouts. Kotalik is not creative or is unwilling to go into the corners to battle for loose pucks. Granted, he has a good shot but he has not shown the willingness or the hockey smarts to go into the scoring areas to create offense.

by BUBLSRM on Aug 30, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions