30 in 30: Sabres lineup has Miller, Vanek for now

For the first time since 1997, the Buffalo Sabres will go to training camp without Lindy Ruff as coach.

The Sabres went into rebuilding mode after back-to-back disappointing seasons and traded captain Jason Pominville, Jordan Leopold and Robyn Regehr before the deadline in April. General manager Darcy Regier also traded Andrej Sekera to the Carolina Hurricanes for Jamie McBain and a second-round pick at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Two veterans who have not been traded are forward Thomas Vanek and goaltender Ryan Miller, and each is in the final year of his contract. Regier has been open about trading either or both if the right deal comes along.

Besides the trade for McBain, it was a quiet offseason in Buffalo. Regier added former Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder to provide some of the experience lost on the blue line. Forward Nathan Gerbe was bought out, and a couple of fringe NHL players moved on.

It looks like a transition year in Buffalo, especially if Vanek and/or Miller don't finish the season with the team.

2013-14 FANTASY PREVIEW: SABRES

Under-valued: Steve Ott -- Of the 34 players with at least 67 penalty minutes last year, only six had at least 24 points -- Corey Perry, Evander Kane, Wayne Simmonds, Milan Lucic, David Clarkson and Steve Ott (nine goals, 15 assists). He could be good for 15 goals, 40 points and 140 PIMs this season.

Over-valued: Tyler Myers -- Since earning the Calder Trophy in 2008-09, Myers has seen his production drop in every season, finishing with just three goals, eight points and a minus-8 in 39 games last year. At just 23, he could turn things around, but don't draft him based on his name anymore.

Sleeper: Mikhail Grigorenko -- Despite posting just five points in 25 games for the Sabres last season, the 12th pick in 2012 could have some real fantasy value if he can lock down the No. 2 center job, which is very realistic considering Buffalo's lack of talent down the middle.

-- Follow Matt Cubeta on Twitter: @NHLQubes

FOLLOW @NHLFANTASY FOR DAILY UPDATES ›

MORE NHL.COM FANTASY HOCKEY COVERAGE ›

Here is the projected 2013-14 lineup for the Sabres:

Forwards

Thomas Vanek - Cody Hodgson - Tyler Ennis

Marcus Foligno - Mikhail Grigorenko - Drew Stafford

Johan Larsson - Steve Ott - Ville Leino

Brian Flynn - Kevin Porter - Patrick Kaleta

John Scott

Defensemen

Christian Ehrhoff - Jamie McBain

Henrik Tallinder - Tyler Myers

Mike Weber - Mark Pysyk

Alexander Sulzer

Goalies

Ryan Miller

Jhonas Enroth

NOTES: One of the biggest things to watch will be the development of forwards Grigorenko and Foligno, who should have a chance to earn consistent top-six minutes. Luke Adam had that chance two seasons ago but spent most of last season with Rochester in the American Hockey League. He's one of several forwards not listed who could make a play for a spot on the opening-night roster.

Another player to watch is Myers, who looked like a No. 1 defenseman as a rookie but whose development has stagnated. He's under contract for a long time, and the Sabres need a bounce-back season from him. Adding McBain and Tallinder should keep the team's first-round picks, Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, developing elsewhere unless one of them has an outstanding camp.

As long as Miller is in Buffalo, he will be the No. 1 goaltender. Enroth had a great World Championship for Sweden and could be ready to see if he can be a No. 1 netminder. Matthew Hackett, who arrived from the Minnesota Wild in the Pominville trade, is a top goaltending prospect and could earn some NHL duty this season.

---