After yet another season of not meeting expectations, this offseason is critical for the Buffalo Sabres. The time for general manager Kevyn Adams to be aggressive is now.
Although the Sabres hold the ninth overall selection in the upcoming NHL entry draft, the focus for Adams must be on the 2025-26 season. The organization must explore all options available to improve the current product on the ice.
Buffalo is amid an unprecedented playoff drought, which has now reached an NHL record 14 seasons. The frustration of the fanbase in Western New York is at an all-time high. Buffalo is a very good hockey market that has been waiting many years for a relevant team to be enthusiastic about. Prolonged losing has taken a significant toll not just on the fans but on the team’s top players.
Ryan O’Reilly, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart are among those who left Buffalo and subsequently raised the Stanley Cup in other markets. The idea of adding yet another top prospect to the fold with the ninth pick would simply amount to more of the same for the Sabres.
The team already possesses many highly regarded prospects. Kevyn Adams adding yet another projected talent would be banking on a future he may not be a part of.
Assets must be weaponized now to change the trajectory of the franchise. Even if ownership committed to spending on the free agent market, it would be a tough sell. The promise of an overpayment on salary or term would likely not be enough to bring sought-after free agents to Buffalo. A lack of winning for so many years has put the likes of Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad out of reach for the Sabres.
Packaging the ninth overall draft selection with prospects and current roster players could bring a beneficial return.
The Sabres must make moves to become competitive this coming season. While securing a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division is not realistic, a wild-card berth next spring must be the goal. With significant improvement needed in goaltending, team defense and special teams, there is much work to be done in the coming weeks.
If the 25-26 Sabres do not reach the postseason, Kevyn Adams will no longer be making the roster decisions come next summer.
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