Atlantic Division Offseason Report: Buffalo Sabres

Rapidly-improving Sabres look to become postseason contendersThe rising Buffalo Sabres finished the 2015-16 campaign with 81 points, a hefty increase of 27 over the paltry 54 they posted the prior season.

Buffalo made a big splash on July 1, signing coveted UFA winger Kyle Okposo to a monster seven-year deal. On the second day of the entry draft, the Sabres swapped defensemen and picks with last year's Atlantic Division champ, the Florida Panthers. The trade saw Dmitry Kulikov shuffle off to Buffalo while Mark Pysyk heads south to Sunrise.

Speaking of the draft, the Sabres continued to load up for the future. Talented Swedish forwards Alexander Nylander and Rasmus Asplund were the brightest…