It’s time to put the finishing touches on the 2010-2011 season for the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a complete report card of every single player that played any amount of time with the Sabres this season. The journey began with Luke Adam and will conclude in a month with Mike Weber. Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.
The next player in line to become the newest Sabres whipping boy, Drew Stafford.
Introduction: Drew Stafford has been a decisive player during his five seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. At times, Stafford has been derided for floating and not playing to his full potential and other times he scores a hat trick. It appears that Stafford has turned his career around with a career high of 31 goals and 52 points last season. That season led to Stafford signing a four year $16 million contract during the offseason.
Now that Stafford has become a team leader in goals, his 31 goals in 62 games is the best goals/game on the team, that production is going to be expected over the next four years. The main question is whether this production will continue or was it a case of scoring big for a contract year?
Key Stat: Even though Stafford scored the most goals in his career this year, his shooting percentage of 17.3% was not a career high for him. Stafford had a shooting percentage of 19.4% in his rookie season in 2006-07. During that season, he scored 13 goals on 67 shots.
Thumbs Up: Drew Stafford was part of the Sabres resurgence at the halfway point of the season. He scored a team leading four hat tricks this season with two of them coming against the Boston Bruins. Stafford scored 21 of his 31 goals during 2011 starting with his hat trick on January 1st.
Thumbs Down: Stafford’s production completely tailed off during the playoffs as he only had one goal and two assists in seven games for the Sabres. Stafford’s shooting percentage dropped to 3.0% during the playoffs as well.
Voting: On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, grade Drew Stafford on his season according to the expectations you had for him. If he met them, give him a five or a six. If he eclipsed them, aim for a seven or beyond. If he failed to meet them, give him a lower number relating to how poorly he missed the target. At this point, putting a poll in is pointless so leave your vote in the comments.