5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Buffalo Sabres This Offseason

By Nick Villano

5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Buffalo Sabres This Offseason

Buffalo Sabres 2014-15 — The Buffalo Sabres have been a terrible team the last few years. In an effort to do a full rebuild, they tried to lose games. They even went so far as to trade a goalie because he was playing too well for them. This offseason that all changed. The team made major moves to get themselves in the right place to succeed. Unfortunately, there are still some major issues they need to work out.

5. Evander Kane's Health and Attitude

Evander Kane's Issues and Attitude

5. Evander Kane's Issues and Attitude

Evander Kane's Issues and Attitude — Evander Kane may be the forgotten entity on the Buffalo Sabres. He was brought into the organization last year after he was ruled out for the season. Now, he has a chance to start new, but his tenure in Winnipeg ended as badly as it could. He is his own worst enemy at times. If Dan Bylsma can focus this 24-year-old, he could become an NHL superstar. If not, he could flame out as a player.

4. Defense

Buffalo Sabres Defense

4. Defense

Buffalo Sabres Defense — The weakest part of the Sabres is by far the blue line, which did not improve much this offseason. That is unfortunate, since there were some major defensive pieces on the free agent market. They didn't need to get a major defensive piece, but finishing the deal for Johnny Oduya would have made this defensive unit look so much better.

3. Robin Lehner Is Unproven

Robin Lehner Is Unproven

3. Robin Lehner Is Unproven

Robin Lehner Is Unproven — GM TIm Murray says he is extremely excited about a trade he made that brought former top prospect Robin Lehner to the Sabres. He became expendable for the Senators when Andrew Hammond took the NHL by storm and carried the Sens to the playoffs. Of all the goalies relocating this offseason, Lehner may be the most unproven. Last season, his GAA was over three. That needs to get better if he is going to be the franchise goalie in Buffalo.

2. Ryan O'Reilly

Ryan O'Reilly

2. Ryan O'Reilly

Ryan O'Reilly — The Sabres made a huge move to trade for Ryan O'Reilly, then signed him to a major contract worth $ 52.5 million. Right after that was signed, he got a a DUI in Canada. This might be a one-time thing and he may have learned his lesson, but the Sabres need to make sure. That is way too much money to be invested in one player who could pull a Ryan Malone before you know it.

1. Matt Moulson's Scoring Woes

Matt Moulson's Scoring Woes

1. Matt Moulson's Scoring Woes

Matt Moulson's Scoring Woes — Matt Moulson was the big signing for the Sabres last season. He signed a five-year deal worth $ 5 million per season but failed to live up to that contract, scoring just 13 goals in 77 games. He was brought in to score goals, so if he doesn't do that, he will quickly get left behind as the team moves forward.

Nick Villano is the NHL feature writer for Rant Sports. He also adds to the site’s NBA, MLB and NFL content. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your Google circle.

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