The Buffalo Sabres Have a Culture Problem

Every season comes around and we always ask the same questions about the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres. As Full Press Hockey has documented the Ottawa Senators have taken the next step in their rebuild as they look to get back to the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres are in the same place they have always been or have taken a step back.

Buffalo Sabres Have Built a Culture of Losing

Every year it is the same for the Sabres. This is the year they will take the next step and compete for a playoff spot or dare we say make the playoffs. With one win in their last 14 games going 1-10-3, the Sabres are nowhere close to being a playoff team.

During the recent 13-game losing streak, Sabres owner Terry Pegula met the team in Montreal a week ago and told the players that he believes in them and the solution was in the room. Well, during the game against the Canadiens, the Sabres gave up the first goal in 19 seconds and lost 6-1. Not only did Buffalo lose that game, the Sabres lost two more games before defeating the New York Islanders before the break.

The Sabres were looking to end a 13-year playoff drought. However, it appears to 14 years after this losing skid. And while ownership believes in head coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Kevyn Adams, the culture in the locker room of losing has been accepted by the players. That is why it takes them longer to end losing streaks then other teams around the league.

The Sabres are always waiting for the next shoe to drop. That is not the mentality of a winning organization. After sweeping their California road trip everything went downhill from there. It is a shame because the Buffalo Sabres were right outside the wild card mix. Now it is after Christmas the Sabres have big hole to climb out of and the playoffs are so far away.

Nashville Predators: Are the Nashville Predators Already Looking To Blow It Up?

New York Rangers: New York Rangers “Open for Business” with All Options on the Table

Calgary Flames: Calgary Flames Weighing All Trade Options

And what the strangest thing is the Buffalo Sabres should have ended this playoff drought years ago. Think about all the draft picks and players that have come through this organization. During the team’s playoff drought, the Sabres have drafted Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Dahlin, Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Owen Power, Matthew Savoie, Zach Benson, and Cozens. Not to mention Eichel, Dahlin and Power were both number one picks.

The Sabres have a development problem, unlike other organizations. They feel players are ready for the NHL when they might need a little more seasoning in the AHL. The talent is there for these players, but putting it together takes time. But it has been since 2011 since this team has made the playoffs. Since Pegula has owned the team they have gone through three first time GMs in Tim Murray, Jason Botterill, and Adams.

Those GMs have traded away Eichel, Reinhart, Mittelstadt, and Savoie. Not to mention how Adams handled the Eichel situation with his neck and surgery has hurt the reputation of the Sabres and how they deal with players. However, to blame taxes and no palm trees as the reasons why free agents don’t come to Buffalo is wrong.

Previous managers brought in free agents like Ryan O’Reilly, Robin Lehner, Evan Rodrigues, Ville Leino, and so on. How did this team not win with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart on the team? Poor coaching and a poor mindset did not allow the Sabres to flourish. Once these players left they went on to win Stanley Cups. 

Sabres Taking Calls on Dylan Cozens Along with Other Players

So the Buffalo Sabres face a tough decision on how they handle Dylan Cozens. The vultures are circling and teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames are calling the Sabres asking what it would take to get Cozens out of there. All three teams need center help.

The Flames especially would like a right-shot center that fits their age range. Not to mention, their general manager would move a first-round draft pick to get a player of his age.

However, the Predators are making a strong push to get Cozens as they cleared out cap space with the trade of Alexandre Carrier and the subsequent moves of trading Cody Glass and Philip Tomasino. Nashville has been speaking with Buffalo according to Marco D’Amico of RG. In addition, sources close to RG note that it will take a hefty package to get him out of Buffalo.

But he might not be the other player teams will be calling about. As Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period documented, the Sabres have been feeling out the market to see what they can get for their unrestricted free agents Jason Zucker, Jordan Greenway, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and Henri Jokiharju.

“They’re going to start looking at different options. They are right now in terms of trying to improve. And Kevyn Adams, for the last couple of weeks, has been scouring the market and trying to comb it and see what pieces may be available. But outside of potentially moving out some of his expiring contracts later in the season, Jason Zucker and a few others, he wants to add. He wants to be in a position to improve his roster and his core.” – Full Press Hockey Transcriptions

The Sabres have received calls on Jack Quinn as well. But if they want to make a bigger move it may have to wait until the offseason.

“There are, I think, Darren Drager and TSN reported the other day that they’re getting calls on Jack Quinn. We know Dylan Cozens is a point of interest, and has been someone that teams have been poking around on since the summer. “I don’t know if they want to go in that direction, but if you want to make big bold moves, you’ve got to deal out big bold players. We could see some interesting stuff out of Buffalo later this season if they can find a way to do our traditional little hockey trade, but it looks like it’s going to be a more impactful one if they can find the right pieces.” – Full Press Hockey Transcriptions

All eyes will be on the Buffalo Sabres moving forward and who gets shipped out and who stays to solve the problems. Until the mentality changes and the right players get into Buffalo, the Sabres will continuously miss the playoffs.

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