A team transformed.(NHL)

A year ago, it appeared possible that there wouldn't be NHL games this season in Buffalo. A year ago, the biggest hockey story in Buffalo was off the ice. But the team was saved, and now the Sabres' story is starting to play out inside the boards.

It's not a simple tale of a team rescued from folding, a story about a bunch of guys doing their best in less than ideal economic conditions. This is about more than moral victories, and it's a story that could continue into the postseason.

The Sabres are a team to keep an eye on, particularly for teams fighting for the final playoff spots. Attention Eastern Conference: The Sabres won't be kicked around so easily anymore.

"If they're not the most improved team in the league, I don't know who is," an Eastern Conference scout says. "They've got a lot of skilled guys (at forward) who compete, and they're good enough defensively that if they get the goaltending, they're a playoff contender for sure."

Up front, the Sabres have Miroslav Satan, Daniel Briere, Maxim Afinogenov, Ales Kotalik, J.P. Dumont and Jochen Hecht, who had a broken arm that kept him out until last week. Winger Taylor Pyatt is playing well and scoring goals while keeping himself defensively aware.

Over the summer, the Sabres acquired Chris Drury, who struggled with the Flames last season but appears to have put that difficulty behind him. Drury can do as much for a team off the ice as he does on it. He's a leader who has played for a winner and has been the difference in important games. Through 19 games this season, Drury was tied with Briere for the team scoring lead and still hadn't hit his stride.

"To me, he's just been OK," the scout says. "He's just been one piece of the puzzle."