The State of the Buffalo Sabres

Credit: Bill Wippert/NHL via Getty Images

Its been a long and tumultuous past 9 years for the Buffalo Sabres.

For a time, it seemed as the team had once again figured out its winning form, having back to back 50-win seasons in 2005-06 and 2006-07, but as we would soon find out, things would quickly unravel to the point of absurdity.

This past July, I wrote an article on at the time new acquisition Jimmy Vesey, a Hobey Baker Award winner who famously refused to sign with the team who had his rights, who just happened to be, the Buffalo Sabres. I mentioned how Buffalo is a team with nothing to lose and should use him accordingly on a first line or at least top six role.

Well, things didn’t quite work out that way.

Instead, we got treated to the same Buffalo team we have been for the past few years, a team that starts off hot, before completely falling off and missing the playoffs. And with the way things have been going this year, it looks like were headed for the same result. With a 23-23-8 record, the Sabres currently sit 11 points out of the last playoff spot, being marred furthermore by continuing issues with its management and ownership, and front office.

Since the Sabres last playoff appearance in 2010-11 (when Tomas Vanek was their leading scorer and Ryan Miller their starting goalie) the team has gone through 6 coaches and 3 general managers. As of right now, former NHL journeyman Jason Botterill and former Soccer chairman Ralph Krueger hold the 2 job respectively, but their both, once again, on shaky ground.

Ralph Krueger behind the Buffalo Sabres bench. Credit: John Beale/AP

Krueger gained notoriety for coaching the Swiss men’s Olympic team from 1997 till 2010, and Team Europe at the last World Cup of Hockey, leading the arguably weakest team in the tournament to a final’s appearance. The Sabres are in a similar situation, which you think would be a match made in heaven, but it just hasn’t been, not for his lack of effort. A solid 9-3 start for the team (good for first place in their division) has quickly dissolved into a 14-20 record the rest of the way, and things don’t seem to be getting any better. Facing the hands down league worst Detroit Red Wings last night (a team who, prior the game, hadn’t reached 30 points on the year, while every other team in the league had almost 50) Buffalo fell 4-3 in a shootout, even despite a comeback after being down 2-0.

Botterill was hired as GM after a team shortest 4 year tenure by Tim Murray, and so far hasn’t done much to improve the roster, having a quite hit and miss track record in drafting, a lack of returning assets for star players, and an overvaluing of lesser players value. Former team mainstays Ryan O’Reilly and Evander Kane were dealt away for practically nothing, with a first-round pick for O’Reilly from the at the time league worst St. Louis Blues, ending up as the 31^st overall pick because well, you know. His first lottery pick was used 8^th to select Casey Mittelstadt 8^th overall, who is currently in the AHL. Since 2012, Buffalo has had a top ten pick in every single draft, but simply hasn’t put together anything of note aside from superstar in the making Rasmus Dahlin. Dylan Cozens looks promising as a potential 1^st line center but its too early to call right now.

Ryan O'Reilly was a Conn Smythe winner with the Blues last year, which ultimately dropped the Sabres first round pick to 31st overall. Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Because of this, Buffalo rosters is rather weak, with a first line that previously consisted of first rounders Eichel and Sam Reinhart, and shot in the dark 7^th rounder Victor Olofsson, one of the few positives for the team this year, who is currently injured. Replacing him on the first line is Vesey (who has only 15 points in 50 games) followed by scrap free agents pick ups Marcus Johansson, Michael Frolik alongside bottom six winger Conor Sheary, and it gets worse from there. On the back end, despite the efforts of hard-hitting Rasmus Ristolainen and Dahlin (who is injured) the team has had issues with penalty killing and powerplay efficiency from their defenders. Buffalo simply doesn’t have enough talent to compete against the better teams in the NHL, especially in the goaltending department. Simply put, the Sabres don’t have a starting netminder, instead utilizing the tandem of journeymen Carter Hutton and Linus Ullmark, who simply aren’t talented enough. Both are backup goaltenders at their core, and simply can’t carry a team by themselves, especially one as weak as Buffalo. Former 3^rd round pick Jonas Johansson has looked solid in his cup of coffee so far, and Ukko Pekka Luukkonen showed promise in junior with OHL Sudbury, but once again, its too early to call.

Is it possible that Buffalo will carry themselves out of this whole and into a playoff picture? Most likely not, especially with losses to teams like the Detroit Red Wings. The Sabres simply need more talent all across their roster, something that will probably require a new GM, which might happen if things don’t improve soon. Botterill has already mentioned the board of directors’ displeasure with the team’s performance, and I’m sure last nights game doesn’t help. Overall, Buffalo is in a rather weak state, one that will require a lot of planning and rebuilding. Will the fans and hire ups be able to put up with that?

It all remains to be seen.