Their best player — and one of the league’s best — is locked into a new five-year deal. The circuit’s all-time scoring leader has determined he’s ready for at least one more shot at glory.

And their coach, who made overtures after an abrupt ending to last season that he might be looking to step aside, has regained a coaching focus after handing off the general manager’s duties.

The big question that remains is this — who’ll show up for the Buffalo Bandits this year, the team that stormed out to a dominating 6-1 start last season or the one that limped home with a 3-5 mark down the stretch and allowed upstart New York to steal the East Division final away?

Here’s a look ahead as the Bandits open their 19th season of play with a distinct chance to capture their fifth championship.

The good

It’s hard to knock an offense that led the National Lacrosse League last year with 223 goals, especially when Mark Steenhuis and John Tavares lead the charge. All Steenhuis did last season with lead the league in points with 101, and the Bandits’ offense primarily ran through him.

His contract proves the franchise intends to be one of the league’s power players for years to come.

“Obviously, it’s a huge signing for the team and the organization,” Bandits assistant coach Duane Jacobs said. “The team has made a statement to the fans and the players, Buffalo is committed to winning. To lock up a player like Mark for such a significant amount of time is huge. We know he’s going to be there for five years.”

Tavares, who contemplated retirement after the playoff loss, also had 51 goals and despite turning 41 in the off-season, he’s yet to show signs he can’t play at an elite level. He’s a three-time league MVP and would likely prefer to end his spectacular run with another title. That’s how he started his reign, helping the franchise win the crown in its inaugural season.

And the dynamic duo has plenty of help in sneaky scorer Roger Vyse (27 goals) and steady veteran Mike Accursi (30 goals, 30 assists).

Kenny Montour is slated to be the starter in net and he led the league with a 9.57 goals against average a year ago, while Billy Dee Smith is one of the NLL’s most menacing defenders.

The bad

Kilgour knew something was wrong from the outset last season, insisting during the team’s hot start that goaltending was carrying the squad at crucial times.

The Niagara-Wheatfield graduate stepped out of the front office — transferring the GM duties to Derek Graham — and has promised more defensive pressure this year.

Training camp was spirited and Kilgour’s tenacity should shine through.

But the Bandits have infused the roster with some new talent like Chris Corbeil and Steve Priolo, but how they mesh with a comfortable roster is anybody’s guess.

“Camp was highly competitive with a lot of new faces,” Jacobs said. “I think the team, and Darris in particular, wanted to make changes. We’ve done so adding young blood. In Buffalo, the expectations are always high.”

The outlook

Kilgour sensed complacency and tried to warn his veteran team it was due for a mighty fall last year, but the talent on this club is undeniable. Between the raucous home-field advantage and some of the best offensive players in the game, the Bandits seem poised to make a return to the NLL Championship Game.

What happens there — especially if it’s against Calgary — is anybody’s guess.

Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.



BANDITS 2010 SCHEDULE

Sat. at Rochester

Jan. 16 Rochester

Jan. 22 at Washington

Jan. 23 at Edmonton

Jan. 30 Minnesota

Feb. 6 Toronto

Feb. 13 at Philadelphia

Feb. 27 Philadelphia

March 6 Orlando

March 12 at Toronto

March 13 at Boston

March 27 at Rochester

April 3 Colorado

April 10 Toronto

April 16 at Orlando

April 24 Boston



BANDITS AT A GLANCE

• HEAD COACH: Darris Kilgour

• LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 10-6

• PLAYOFFS: Lost in East final to New York

• KEY RETURNEES: Mark Steenhuis (51 goals, 50 ass.), John Tavares (51 g., 43 a.), Mike Accursi (30 g., 30 a.), Billy Dee Smith

• KEY ADDITIONS: Frank Resetarits, Jon Harasym

• KEY LOSSES: Cory Bomberry (15 g., 36 a), Clay Hill