Young guns help Sabres' future shine bright
NHL
by TIMOTHY CHIPP Reporter

Andrej Sekera tries to find the puck against the Montreal Canadiens Friday. He and other young players for the Buffalo Sabres, including Daniel Paille and Mike Weber, should be major role-players in the future success of the team. Photo by David F. Sherman

The Buffalo Sabres are in for a good next few years if their young guys keep performing like they have been these last 10 games.

Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Ryan Miller each played well and continue to put up the points that either warranted their large contracts or will warrant a pay increase soon.

But it's the play of some unexpected young guys that will eventually lead to more wins for the team.

Daniel Paille, Mike Weber and Andrej Sekera are all making cases for increased playing time and more demanding roles on the team.

Take Paille for example. He's not really thought of as a young player on this team because he's been around Buffalo for parts of three seasons. So it's easy to overlook that this is his first full season in the NHL. Yet here he is, sitting in clear view of a milestone many players just hope to achieve.

The Welland, Ont. native scored his 19th goal of the season Friday against Montreal. His 20th is something he can now smell in the water.

"Obviously it's something I'm itching for," the Welland, Ont. native said.

He was held without the big goal Sunday, but it didn't matter much to him as winning the game became more important. The winger isn't letting the potential accomplishment go to his head though. He's still more interested in the team making the playoffs, something still mathematically possible coming out of the weekend.

"For me right now, it's about winning," he said. "If we make the playoffs and I don't get it, then I'd be happy."

The former first round draft pick has spent parts of two season's with the Sabres after the lockout, playing a shutdown role in mainly defensive situations when he's been up. But he's taken on his share of the offensive void left by the departure of Chris Drury and Daniel Briere last offseason.

"Overall I think his play's been solid," Pominville said. "He's good on the penalty kill, he's a fast player, he creates a lot of energy for us. He's got a great shot, and that's why he's got 19 goals."

And if Paille is shocking the world, Andrej Sekera and Mike Webber are blowing it up.

The pair of defensemen, who were partnered in Rochester for the majority of the season, have put together stunningly simple yet-effective campaigns since Weber's recent recall before playing in Pittsburgh on March 12. Since that game, the two youngsters have a combined plus-24, one goal and five assists.

That one goal may prove to be the biggest of the season if a miracle occurs and the team qualifies for the playoffs.

It was Sekera's shot from just inside the blueline Sunday that propelled Buffalo to a 2-1 overtime victory against the Boston Bruins, stepping into the pass from Thomas Vanek with full force.

"We're asking a lot," coach Lindy Ruff said of Sekera. "But he's responded. He's responded well for us."

But it was a pinch by Weber at the blueline that made it all possible, getting Vanek the puck to make the pass.

"I just try to keep it simple," Weber said. "I try to be available for my partner, Sekera, and vice-versa, he's there for me. It's a lot easier when I get the puck and I look up the ice and I've got a centerman supporting me and a winger up the wall for me to chip it to."

If the young guys keep playing bigger than themselves, the future for the Sabres could follow suit with the only two teams that have missed the playoffs the year after having the leagues best record.

Ask the 1993-94 New York Rangers what happened when they did it 14 years ago.