MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
C Derek Roy lived up to the new six-year, $24 million contract that makes him a building block for the team. He was one of the few players who amplified his game during the failed stretch drive. He had points in the final 12 games and finished tied for the team lead in points (80).

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER
RW Maxim Afinogenov has always had flash, and he used to have substance. Not anymore. The winger would wheel around still, but rather than create, he'd turn the puck over. The former point-per-game player had just 10 goals and 28 points in 56 games.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
The Sabres were given a surprise when defenseman Teppo Numminen, whom they suspended without pay on the opening day of training camp because of a faulty valve that required open-heart surgery, said he wanted to play in Buffalo next season. The 39-year-old free agent was scheduled to earn $2.6 million, though he and the team will have to agree to a lower number than that if they reunite.

PLAYER NOTES

--G Ryan Miller will have a busy off-season. He was selected to participate in two groups whose focus is improving the game in the NHL. First, he was picked to be a member of the Competition Committee, which analyzes rules and reports to the board of governors. Second, he was named to the Goalie Equipment Working Group, which will study the size of goaltenders' equipment compared to safety concerns should the gear be made smaller. The goalie group will send its recommendations to the Competition Committee. Both groups will meet in June.

--RW Jason Pominville is a go-to player on the United States' team in the world championships. He is playing the point on America's top power-play unit. "I'm just excited about the opportunity to be able to join USA Hockey and hopefully help their team now and in the future to win some medals," Pominville said.

--C Paul Gaustad is recovering from successful sports hernia surgery performed in late April. Recovery time is traditionally two to three months, so he should be fine well before training camp.

--F Felix Schutz, the Rookie of the Year in the German Elite League, signed a three-year deal with the Sabres. The 20-year-old was taken in the fourth round of the 2006 draft. He had 12 goals, 13 assists and 76 penalty minutes in 46 games last season with ERC Ingolstadt.

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