The Buffalo Sabres are coming off a 6-5 shootout loss to the Detroit Pink Wings on Monday night time, extending their dropping streak to seven video games (0-5-2). Other than standout performances by Tage Thompson, who scored 11 objectives in his final 18 video games, and Alex Tuch, who has tallied 12 factors in his final 11 video games, the staff has struggled to get constant manufacturing from its core gamers. It’s shocking that the identical core, which appeared unstoppable through the 2022-2023 season, has been struggling to search out its footing for the reason that begin of final season.
The 2022-2023 Sabres have been one of the best model of the staff since their playoff drought started. That they had an offensive surge, ending third within the NHL in objectives per recreation (3.57) and ninth in energy play share (23.4%). Regardless of rating among the many prime 12 in scoring, they have been the one staff within the prime 12 to overlook the playoffs. The Sabres ended the season with a 42-33-7 document, incomes 91 factors—marking their first 40-win season since their final playoff look in 2010-2011. They fell only one level wanting the second Jap Convention wild-card berth, secured by the Florida Panthers, who grew to become the Jap Convention champions.
Profession Years for Everybody
The 2022-2023 season was a breakout 12 months for almost each participant on the Sabres. Thompson led the staff with 47 objectives and 94 factors, whereas Jeff Skinner had 37 objectives and 82 factors. Tuch set a career-high with 79 factors, Rasmus Dahlin impressed with 73 factors as a defenseman, and Dylan Cozens notched career-bests in objectives (31), assists (37), and factors (68). Cozens’ stellar efficiency earned him a seven-year, $49.7 million contract extension in February 2023. Nonetheless, for the reason that begin of final season, Cozens has managed simply 60 factors, elevating issues that his 2022-2023 season could have been an outlier for the younger heart. That mentioned, he nonetheless has room to develop.
Cozens performed a lot of that season alongside Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka on the “Child Line,” a trio that appeared unstoppable. Quinn posted 37 factors in 75 video games, and Peterka added 32 in 77 video games. Their elite chemistry gave followers hope that this line may anchor the Sabres for the subsequent decade.
The staff seemed to be constructing one thing particular. They secured key items of their core by extending Thompson, Cozens, and Mattias Samuelsson. Regardless of lacking the playoffs by a single level, hope was unparalleled—even surpassing the Jack Eichel period. Followers anticipated one other season of high-powered offense, fueled by goals of goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen creating right into a dependable number-one choice. With simply competent goaltending, many believed the Sabres have been destined to make the playoffs.
Sadly, these hopes haven’t materialized. The Sabres’ struggles this season present that success is extra complicated than simply shoring up a single place.
Sabres Expectations Too Excessive
Heading into the 2023-2024 season, expectations have been sky-high. After their finest season through the playoff drought, it lastly appeared that they had the expertise and depth to interrupt by means of and safe a spot within the 16-team match. Nonetheless, the staff fell brief, ending with a 39-36-6 document and 84 factors—a seven-point drop from the earlier marketing campaign. Lots of the gamers who excelled in 2022-2023 regresses. Tuch and Dahlin tied for the staff lead with 59 factors every, whereas an injury-plagued Thompson managed 29 objectives and 56 factors. Cozens additionally struggled, ending with solely 47 factors.
There have been some vibrant spots. Quinn, regardless of getting back from an Achilles damage in late December 2023 and enjoying simply 27 video games, contributed 19 factors earlier than one other lower-body damage ended his season prematurely. Quinn was one of many staff’s finest gamers. Peterka additionally impressed with 28 objectives and 50 factors, exhibiting promise for the longer term. Luukkonen had a gentle breakout season, posting 27 wins, a .910 save share (SV%), and a 2.57 goals-against common (GAA). But, his robust play in internet wasn’t sufficient to hold the staff into playoff rivalry.
Associated: Adjustments Should be Made to Reverse Sabres’ Struggles
Finally, expectations could have been too excessive. A number of gamers who earned contract extensions after their standout seasons did not ship on the similar stage. Whereas the staff confirmed enhancements in goaltending and defensive play, they ranked twenty second in objectives per recreation (2.98) and eleventh in objectives towards per recreation (2.96). The playoff cutoff remained almost similar to the season earlier than, that means the Sabres solely wanted to duplicate their earlier efficiency—or take the subsequent step—however they fell brief.
Now, the staff finds itself at a crossroads. Lower than two seasons after inspiring real hope, the Sabres are directionless, caught in a irritating cycle with no clear path ahead.
Sabres’ False Hope
That stable season in 2022-23 gave the Sabres and their followers a false sense of hope. It could have been formidable to count on a younger core of 21–24-year-olds to take care of such a excessive price of manufacturing, however after seeing them carry out at an elite stage, these expectations didn’t appear unreasonable. Regardless of their struggles final season, there was nonetheless optimism that the earlier 12 months wasn’t only a flash within the pan. But, as time passes, it’s turning into clear that it might need been the exception, not the rule.
Following that promising season, the idea was that goaltending was the ultimate lacking piece to solidify the staff. Luukkonen seemed to be the reply, and with prime prospect Devon Levi dominating the NCAA, there was real hope that the Sabres’ netminding points would quickly be resolved. Optimism was excessive.
However the 2023-24 season raised new and reverse issues. As an alternative of questions on goaltending, the staff wanted scoring depth and defensive reinforcements. Accidents to key gamers like Tuch, Cozens, and Thompson uncovered the staff’s lack of offensive depth. Surprisingly, as an alternative of addressing the necessity for scoring on the commerce deadline, the Sabres opted to shore up their blue line.
In a big transfer, the staff traded Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche for Bowen Byram in a one-for-one deal. Whereas buying a defenseman of Byram’s caliber was a stable transfer on paper, it wasn’t essentially the precise one. Given Mittelstadt’s robust play, the Sabres may have leveraged him for a right-handed shutdown defenseman and a middle-six ahead, doubtlessly including a draft choose to sweeten the deal. As an alternative, whereas Byram improved the protection, the staff’s offensive struggles continued.
Sabres have traded Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram. One for one.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 6, 2024
By the tip of the season, the Sabres did not capitalize on a wide-open race for the Jap Convention’s second wild-card spot. As an alternative of rising to the problem, the staff faltered, posting an 11-9-2 document of their remaining 22 video games to fall brief once more. The missed alternative was a stark reminder of how far the staff nonetheless has to go, regardless of the hope that burned so brightly only a 12 months earlier.
Again to Sq. One
Following the frustration of final season, the Sabres’ efficiency in 2024-25 has been equally, if no more, unacceptable. By way of 28 video games, they sit at 11-13-4 (26 factors), only one level out of final place within the Atlantic Division. The core gamers—these underneath contract for the foreseeable future—have been largely underwhelming, except Thompson and Luukkonen.
On American Thanksgiving (Nov. 28), the Sabres have been only one level out of a playoff spot and two factors behind the third spot within the Atlantic. However since then, a seven-game dropping streak has left them floundering. Remarkably, regardless of their struggles, they continue to be solely three factors out of the final Jap Convention wild-card spot. But, alternative after alternative has slipped by means of their fingers, and the staff has failed to realize traction when it issues most.
This raises a tricky query: ought to Buffalo think about beginning a 3rd rebuild if issues don’t flip round? The thought is daunting. Followers and the media are operating out of endurance, and few are prepared to attend one other three to 4 years for the staff and group to determine issues out. The assumption that “the time is now” has given technique to a harsh actuality—over the previous season and a half, the Sabres have misplaced their id and are nonetheless struggling to search out it.
So, what is going to it take to get again on observe? Whether or not it’s a serious shakeup within the roster, teaching workers, entrance workplace, or just a return to fundamentals, one thing should change. The potential is there—evident from their flashes of brilliance in 2022-2023—however turning that potential into sustained success has confirmed elusive. For the Sabres to regain relevance, they have to discover a technique to reignite the spark that after made them appear like a staff on the rise.
