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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Encouraging as it might appear, Sabres general manager Tim Murray isnt overly impressed by the big jump Buffalo made in the standings last year.Going from rock bottom to respectability isnt considered a mean feat when taking into account Buffalo still finished 23rd despite a 12-win and 27-point improvement. Its not as if the Sabres could have been much worse after finishing last in each of the previous two seasons.We should be getting better, Murray told The Associated Press. When we stop getting better, then weve done something wrong.The hard part now is for the Sabres to evolve another step and start resembling contenders to end a five-season playoff drought -- the longest in franchise history.It doesnt happen overnight, Murray said. We think were much improved from last season. But we have to prove that on the ice. Well see.After spending his first 18 months gutting Buffalos high-priced, aging roster to rebuild the team from scratch, Murray is placing his faith in the young lineup that began showing signs of promise last season.Forward Ryan OReilly emerged as an on- and off-ice leader in his first season after being acquired in a trade from Colorado. And the Sabres young crop of draft picks made an immediate impact with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart combining for 47 goals 98 points.Murray raised expectations by making two significant offseason additions by signing forward Kyle Okposo to a seven-year, $42 million contract, and acquired defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in a trade with Florida.That gives you a boost of energy, excitement with some of the high-quality players that we brought in, defenseman Josh Gorges said. We expect a lot of big things out of our group.The Sabres confidence is bolstered by how the team began jelling in the second half last season, its first under coach Dan Bylsma. After opening 19-26-4, Buffalo closed 16-10-7.Kulikov had no reservations being traded to Buffalo after seeing the team improve last year.I feel like all the pieces are in place right now said Kulikov, who went through a few rebuilding phases during his first seven seasons in Florida. When youre talking rebuild, I dont think its about our team. I think our team has already passed that point. And we need to show it and get off to a good start.A number of things to watch out for as the Sabres prepare to open the season hosting Montreal on Oct. 13:ROCKIN ROBINGoalie Robin Lehner is ready to establish himself as a bona fide starter now that hes healthy after two injury-shortened seasons. Acquired for a first-round draft pick from Ottawa in June 2015, Lehners first year in Buffalo was sidetracked 30 minutes into the season opener when he hurt his left ankle.He went 5-9-5 in 21 games, and his previous season in Ottawa was shortened because of a concussion.Lehner spent the summer working out and was notably slimmer upon reporting for training camp.It doesnt matter how good of a summer Ive had, Ive got to go out and perform, Lehner said. I know what I can do. Im not eager to prove anyone wrong or right.ENNIS RETURNSTyler Ennis is eager to return after missing the final four months of the season sidelined by a concussion. Entering his eighth season in Buffalo, the speedy, diminutive forward is the teams longest serving active player. Hes a three-time 20-goal-scorer who is being counted upon to fill a top-six role.AT AN IMPASSEDefenseman Rasmus Ristolainen remains unsigned . Hes a restricted free agent and coming off a season in which he led Buffalo in averaging more than 25 minutes of ice time, and led the teams defensemen with 41 points (nine goals, 32 assists).In a sign of good faith, Ristolainen reported to training camp last week after representing Finland at the World Cup of Hockey. Though pleased to have Ristolainen on the ice practicing, Murray doubted his presence in Buffalo would speed up contract talks.KANE WATCHForward Evander Kane is coming off a tumultuous offseason. He faces numerous charges for allegedly grabbing three women by the hair and neck in separate instances during an altercation at a downtown Buffalo bar in June. The 25-year-old is also being sued by a 21-year-old woman claiming he seriously injured her during an attack in his hotel room in December.ROOMIESEichel and Reinhart have decided to move in together after establishing an on- and off-ice bond last year.We room together on the road as well, so were pretty familiar with each other, Reinhart said. Eichel spent his rookie season living with forward Matt Moulson and his family. Nike Air Max Saldi . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Scarpe Air Max 270 Outlet . -- There were so many positives from the Orlando Magics first victory of the season that it was hard for coach Jacque Vaughn to stop praising his players. http://www.scontateoutletairmax.it/air-max-97-economiche.html . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. Scarpe Air Max 97 Outlet . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Balenciaga Scarpe Replica Italia . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left.Joe Root says England are raring to go in their must-win clash against Sri Lanka on Saturday at the World Twenty20. Defeat in their opening fixture against the West Indies put them on the back foot from the off, making every remaining fixture crucial.The West Indies are through to the semi-finals after their victory over South Africa on Friday, and England will join them if they beat Sri Lanka. There is always pressure to perform. We know its a must-win game but its been like that since we got here, Root said of the match, which will be shown live on Sky Sports 2 from 1.30pm.For us its ultimately about winning our game. Thats all we can worry about because thats the only way were going to be able to qualify.You can only really afford to lose one game and even then you can still crash out of the competition. Its T20. Its a complete knockout from here on in if we want to win it.The pressure is no more than it has been since that second game. Its all about getting over the line.To achieve that England know they must improve on Wednesdays display against Afghanistan. England celebrate a wicket against Afghanistan Although a humbling defeat was averted, the Afghan spinners made short work of Englands top six, leaving serious questions over their reading of conditions.Sri Lanka have a strong spin line-up of their own to unleash at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, led by the venerable left-armer Rangana Herath, and Root knows the trial by turn is one his side must combat better. Rangana Herath (right) will lead Sri Lankas spinners Its about learning from the mistakes we made last time in case we are on a similar pitch and face a similar attack with a lot of spin, he assessed.Everyone has their own way of playing spin, theres no right or wrong way, but for me its about trying to face as few dot balls as possible and trying to cash in with the boundaries when they are available.Every surface is different so it is about giving yourself the best chance on that particular pitch. Sometimes you might need to take a few extra balls to get accustomed to it but ultimately it is about playing the situation in front of you. Why do England not learn from previous mistakes when playing spin? You still want to keep that intent but theres other ways of scoring quickly.dddddddddddd Maybe you score down the ground a bit more, maybe knock it into gaps and look for twos.Its about communicating that with the guy at the other end, watching the game if youre coming in to bat and doing what you need to do to put a big score on the board or chase one down. Englands Alex Hales hits out against West Indies Alex Hales missed out against Afghanistan with a sore back but returned to training on Friday, even taking part in the traditional football match before nets.That bodes well for his likely involvement, at the expense of James Vince, but the opener will face a fitness test in the morning.He has improved, said Root on Hales. We will get a good idea from how he will be on Saturday, but it is going to be important making sure he is absolutely ready. If not we have a strong squad and I am sure someone will fill in for him. Englands Joe Root talks Rob Key through his extraordinary innings against South Africa in the World T20 Also See: WATCH: Broad in 60 Seconds West Indies sneak into semis ICC World T20 fixtures Pick your Ultimate World T20 XI ' ' '