Buffalo Boy's Blog

This week Ill look at the forwards, but before I do, the choice of Craig Rivet for captain was awesome. Though he hasn't played a regular season game yet with the team the guy is hard nosed, works his tail off and is a true veteran leader who will rub off on the rest of the team and apparently, already is. This is the players choice, not the coaches or managements, so ultimately if its the wrong choice, the players made it, they have to live with it.

Now onto the forwards, they are knee deep in forwards, there are guys who I wish were on the team who will be in Portland and there are guys on the team who I wish were in Portland. Max Afinogenov is one of the ones who I am surprised wasn't shipped out. They are stuck with him through this year and anything short of 30+ goals out of the guy would be a shame. He has been due ever since he skated onto this team years ago but every year falls short of expectations.

Drew Stafford is the other forward on this team that I expect to see have a much better season. This guy is 20-25 goals, 60-80 points and should be a consistent 3rd to 2nd line forward.

Tim Connolly is the other huge question mark. There is no doubt he is talented, the only question can he get back to what he was two years ago before the latest concussion. Also his hip thing has to go away and apparently he has had more leg issues during camp, so there are concerns and realistic ones at that. If hes healthy all year they have two number one centers in Roy and Connolly, if not, they will have to play Stafford on the second line and hope he has a bit of a breakout season. 

Other than Stafford,Max and Connolly, the rest of this team just has to be themselves and be consistent. No slow starts and no prolonged droughts and this forward unit to me is as good as anyone in the league. Remember last year they still were 4th offensively in the entire league.

If Max falters expect to see Nathan Gerbe around sooner than later.

Overall this year, Im looking for this team to be right up at the top of the Northeast, Ottawa is significantly depleted with the loss of Redden and still question marks in goal, Toronto is not going to be a factor according to many up there, Montreal is really the cream of the crop in this years Northeast and I think that Buffalo after a little re-tooling and some healthy seasons from the above mentioned players can skate with anyone including Montreal.

Opening night is Friday against those Canadians so right off the bat we will see where this team stacks up against them.