13 Disappointing Seasons

Photo Credit Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

On this day, April 22 was the last time the Buffalo Sabres last won a game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Once again the Buffalo Sabres will miss out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 13th straight season. This time the Sabres expectations to make the playoffs have never been higher going into the 2023-24 season. The disappointing season has cost head coach Don Granato his job behind the bench. 

After the 2022-23 season where the Sabres missed the postseason by only one point, it was the highest point total the Sabres have had in their playoff drought. Tage Thompson led the team with over 40 goals, Rasmus Dahlin looked to become one of the best defensemen in the NHL, the emergence of goaltender Devon Levi brought life into the team. But an eight game losing streak in November really hurt the club and poor goaltending performances. Three out of four of the Sabres goaltending lineup, their goals against average were higher than three goals. 

Even with the struggles in net, the Sabres were able to get the most points (91) since their last appearance in the postseason. Lots of excitement came to the Sabres organization over the summer. In the offseason the Sabres looked to run back with the same team as the year prior, making additions to the blue line with Erik Johnson, and Connor Clifton.  

The injury bug did hit Buffalo before the season even started, where young forward Jack Quinn suffered a torn achilles right before the NHL Draft began. With Quinn out for the foreseeable future. Rookie first round pick Zach Benson showed up and made an impact in training camp and preseason. Benson could be the guy that could take some productivity left behind by Quinn.

Going into the home opener had a packed house, people were excited to come and watch the Sabres. But the team was doomed from the start. What looked like a team that was fun and would score a lot of goals flipped on its head.  All star Tage Thompson who scored over 40 goals, didn’t even crack the 30 goal mark. The Sabres wanted to work with what they had last season and run it back. 

A big reason the Sabres were very close to a playoff spot had to be there weren’t many teams they had to climb over. This season Buffalo had to compete against five other teams, The Detroit Red Wings were an obstacle in Buffalo’s way for most of the season.

The Sabres problems can be seen by how many times they gave up the first goal of the game. The Sabres goal differential was -33. Getting off to bad starts was something usual for the Sabres. Getting booed off the ice after a period also became normal for the 2023-24 Sabres. The Sabres lost a game in December to the Columbus Blue Jackets who would eventually finish in the bottom of the standings 9-4. Fans were calling for the head coach to be fired. The very next game they won 9-3, they became the first team to give up nine goals in one game, then score nine the very next game. 

The best phrase to describe the 2023-24 Sabres is consistently inconsistent. The Sabres longest winning streak was only three games, but their longest losing streak was only four games. Anytime this season the Sabres were within striking distance of a playoff team, they lost all of their games.

With a lot of bad things happening for the Sabres, the goaltending improved vastly this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen after not playing at all during the final stretch of last season took over the net and was Buffalo’s starter for the rest of the season. Luukkon played 54 games collecting 27 wins. Since ​​Dec. 30, going 17-9-1 with a .930 save percentage, 1.92 goals-against average and four shutouts. Even with the consistently inconsistent tag on the Sabres, they still were able to make it to the final weeks of the season still with a chance to make the playoffs. 

 After the final game of the season, a head coaching change was made, after being promoted as the interim head coach back in 2020. Accountability was a word that was used a lot in the teams end of season press conferences. General Manager Kevyn Adams is looking for a coach that has had experience as an NHL head coach. And the Sabres have just announced that they will be bringing back former head coach Lindy Ruff for a second stint with the Sabres. Ruff coached from 1997-2013. Ruff was previously with the New Jersey Devils taking them to the playoffs in the 2022-23 season.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams on the most recent hire saying “This hire was not made with nostalgia in mind. Lindy is the right person for the job now and any history with our organization and community is simply an added bonus.”

With the Sabres next season many questions will be answered in the front office on the success of the team. The prospect pool is deep for the Sabres with multiple players with the Rochester Americans as they begin their quest for a Calder Cup championship. 

Will the Sabres finally be able to break out of the cloud of darkness that has been there for over 10 years? Moves have to be made in order for there to be continued success for many years. Forward Jeff Skinner could be a possible buyout for the Sabres. Skinner is coming off a down year from his previous season and is coming up on his age 32 season. A move off of Skinner could make room for players like Jiri Kulich, Matt Savoie. According to capfriendly.com the Peyton Krebs will be a restricted free agent at the end of next season. Krebs could be another player the Sabres could trade that would make more room for the young prospects to make the Sabres roster. Luukkonen is also a restricted free agent this season, with the performance he had this season, the expectation would be for the Sabres to re-sign him. While Devon Levi will be the backup goaltender. Even with the setback the Sabres are still in a prime position to end their playoff drought for the first time since 2010-11.