from Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News,

The Buffalo Sabres have to learn how to walk before they can run.

The public proclamations come training camp in September are expected to revolve around climbing into the playoffs for the first time since 2011, but a serious reality check is needed.

The Sabres still have lots of work to do with their roster, including the major decision of keeping defensive workhorse Rasmus Ristolainen or trading him for offensive help. The acquisition of Colin Miller from Vegas indicates GM Jason Botterill is more inclined to deal Ristolainen, but for whom?

And while the Sabres have done a little tinkering, Florida, New Jersey and the New York Rangers have performed major roster surgery. All three, like the Sabres, were non-playoff teams in the Eastern Conference last season and all seem well ahead of Buffalo at this stage of the summer.

Who might the Sabres be better than in the East right now? Maybe Detroit and Ottawa. That's about it. You see the dilemma.

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