It was another disappointing season for a Buffalo Sabres squad with expectations of, if not to make the playoffs, then at least compete for a playoff spot in April. But as we get closer to the end of the season, the Sabres’ 37-36-5 record indicates a campaign that left much to be desired.
On Monday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss what went wrong this season in Buffalo and what they should do.
Tyler Yaremchuk: The end of another disappointing season is coming in Buffalo. Will this be a summer of big changes or another season of sticking to this core?
Frank Seravalli: Well it’s fitting that the solar eclipse rolls directly over Buffalo today, and it’s fitting that the weather is cloudy today in Buffalo. This is the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports.
I get it. I’m a Buffalo believer. I think with the blue line that they have: Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram and when he’s healthy, Mattias Samuelsson, that is as godo a top-four as any in the NHL. Period, full stop.
Up front, a great breakout season from JJ Peterk, but him, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch can’t do it alone. They got pushed around a lot this year. In net, Ukko Pekka Luukkonen has been a revelation, although the team was hoping Devon Levi would grab the reigns.
It’s not a straight line, you’re not just going to go from 91 points to 94 points and upwards. Even the best teams have hiccups at times, and with Buffalo, it’s more easily definable.
I’d be surprised if general manager Kevyn Adams decides to sit back this summer. I think the Casey Mittlestady-for-Bowen Byram trade with the Colorado Avalance was a huge window into how aggressive Adams wants to be.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here.
More must-reads: