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Dallas Stars: 6 teams that will make the playoffs after missing them in 2017-18

By Avery Klatsky

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 06: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at American Airlines Center on January 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 06: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at American Airlines Center on January 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 5: Jason Pominville #29 of the Buffalo Sabres is congratulated by his teammates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at KeyBank Center on March 5, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 5: Jason Pominville #29 of the Buffalo Sabres is congratulated by his teammates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at KeyBank Center on March 5, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images) /

5. Buffalo Sabres

Last playoff run: 2010-11 – (Lost in the Conference Quarterfinals to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-4)

Number of Stanley Cups Won: 0

Fifth on the list is the Buffalo Sabres, who finished with the worst record in the league last season, only scoring 62 points (25-45-12). They also had the worst goals for/against differential in the NHL with -81.

I know, it might seem like a stretch considering how bad they were last season, but I think that Buffalo can turn it around and make the playoffs. Moreover, they have acquired many new players since the end of the season.

  • Traded Ryan O’Reilly to St. Louis for C Tage Thompson, LW Vladimir Sobotka, C Patrik Berglund, and two draft picks
  • Signed G Scott Wedgewood, RW Mike Sislo to one-year deals
  • Signed G Carter Hutton to a three-year contract
  • Drafted D Rasmus Dahlin (1st overall), signed him to a three-year, entry-level deal
  • Re-signed C Sean Malone, RW Nicholas Baptiste, RW Justin Bailey, C Danny O’Regan, and LW C.J. Smith to one-year deals
  • Traded C Cliff Pu and three draft picks to the Carolina Hurricanes for LW Jeff Skinner

The Sabres’ trades with St. Louis and Carolina are the most interesting. Ryan O’Reilly (ROR) has a $7.5 million cap hit, and Buffalo was able to move him in exchange for three good centers, a 1st rounder in 2019 and a 2nd rounder in 2021.

Surprisingly, though, they pulled away from free agency with Jeff Skinner. Although I wanted Skinner (my favorite player in the NHL) to maybe get traded to Dallas since he was in trade talks, he will fit nicely in the Sabres’ lineup. Here is how their roster could shake out.

Offense

Skinner-Eichel-Okposo

Sheary-Berglund-Pominville

Sobotka-Larsson-Thompson

Wilson-Mittelstadt-Reinhart*

Defense

Scandella-Ristolainen

Hunwick-Bogosian

Dahlin/McCabe-Beaulieu

Goalies

Hutton

Ullmark/Wedgewood

(Note: Reinhart is still an RFA)

Considering the fact that Buffalo was able to get away with the gold in two trades and secure the number one pick in the NHL draft earlier this summer (who is a fantastic prospect), they are one of the teams that I think could end up towards the middle of the leaderboard next season as opposed to being at the very bottom.

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