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To all the procrastinators out there who want GM Kevin Adams fired, hold on to your hockey sticks.
The Buffalo Sabres are looking promising for the 2024-25 season.
They have pieces to the puzzle closer than you think. Those pieces should help end their 13-year playoff drought.
2024 NHL Draft
The Sabres used their 14th overall pick in the first round to select Finnish right winger Konsta Helenus. The 18-year-old is projected to play on the Sabres this year or as early as 2025.
It makes sense because he played in the Finnish Elite League against men.
Additionally, if you watch his highlights, the 5’11”, 189 lb. skater has a unique combination of speed and aggressive forechecking.
Looking Promising for 2024-25 Season
No pun intended, but losing Jeff Skinner is no skin off our backs. Buffalo bought out his contract, saving the team around 7.4 million dollars in cap space.
Also, his production has slipped at 32 years of age, from 35 goals and 82 points in 2023 to scoring only 24 goals and 46 points this season.
Even though he was popular and a fan favorite, sometimes it is just time to cut ties and do what is right for the team.
AHL Players in the Fold?
People have such a short memory. They forget that the organization has three young prospects right under their noses who need to be brought up immediately to the Sabres roster.
These three excellent hockey players need to be part of the Sabres team, just like their coach. They need to be promoted, just like former Amerks Head Coach Seth Appert was.
They all spent time with the Sabres when they were called up last season but were never officially promoted to their roster.
Let’s take a look at these: “Big Three Prospects.”
1. Jiri Kulich- If you were watching the Amerks, you might have seen the speed and poise Kulich plays with.
Although he is only 5’11” and 170 lbs., the young man works hard at his craft day and night.
The 20-year-old played in two Calder Cup playoff series with the Amerks.
2. Isak Rosen– The 21-year-old was drafted in 2021 and was ready to be a pro player, playing in the Swedish Hockey League.
At 6’0″, 173 lbs., Rosen is skilled with the puck at his stick while maintaining a consistent approach to every scoring opportunity.
The right winger played in three Calder Cup playoff series for the Amerks.
3. Matt Savoie– This young man is already getting a taste of pro hockey and a winning culture. Savoie was assigned to the Rochester Amerks in the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs.
Then, in the offseason, the 20-year-old was on track to make the Sabres opening night roster. He sadly suffered an injury in the Prospect Challenge game that dwindled his chances.
Still, Savoie played nine games on the Sabres roster before being sent back to the Amerks. The center was then relegated back to his junior team, which won the Memorial Cup.
A New but “Familiar Face” Back Behind the Bench
Did people forget? The Sabres hired a new coach. Well, it’s a familiar name coming back, but it’s exciting, to say the least.
Buffalo favorite Lindy Ruff is back as the Sabres’ head coach after being fired in January 2013.
Ruff previously coached with the New Jersey Devils and oversaw the development of young stars such as Jack and Luke Hughes.
Ruff is best known for coaching the Sabres from 1997 to 2013.
During his seventeen years, he saw a lot, from the “No Goal Game” to Tom Golisano saving the Sabres from moving and Terry Pegula becoming our current owner.
The gritty coach is known for changing how his Sabres team played hockey after the lockout.
In pre-lockout years, the game was played with bigger players when clutching and grabbing were legal.
You also had the controversial “two-line pass” rule, where, annoyingly, the game would stop every other play.
However, in 2005-06, the first year after the lockout, Ruff and the Sabres (GM) Darcy Regier had a different vision of how hockey should be played.
They acquired guys like Danny Briere, Chris Drury, and other players like Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller. With old-school grit and hard work, they built this swift, skilled team.
While every team now plays that way, Ruff’s mission for the Sabres since he came back is clear. He wants to finish his career in Buffalo, hosting a Stanley Cup.
The 64-year-old wants the team to play hockey like Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen plays football. That’s with reckless abandon and fearlessness.
European Tour
With all the excitement, the Sabres will be treated to two regular season games in Prague, Czech Republic, on October 4 and 5.
They will also play an Exhibition game in Munich, Germany, on September 27.
The Sabres will take on Lindy Ruff’s former New Jersey Devils team at the famous 02 arena.
It will be the Sabres’ third regular-season opener in Europe. The last was in 2011, when Ruff was head coach.
Final Thoughts
Calm down, Sabres fans. This team did not get worse.
They have great players on their roster and the Amerks’ roster, too, which can end their 13-year playoff drought.
Additionally, the league would not have sent the Sabres to Europe for the opening day if it did not think they could make the playoffs.
I get it. There’s a lot of public fearmongering about the Sabres, but remember, facts always prevail over fear.
Therefore, The Sabres are looking promising for the 2024-25 season.
Good luck this year, Sabres, and let’s end our playoff drought on our way to our first Stanley Cup.
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