For too long, the Buffalo Sabres have been an afterthought.
That’s what happens when you fail to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for 13-straight seasons.
Given that the Sabres will likely miss the post-season again this year, there needs to be a more aggressive, urgent approach to changing the course for this club.
Starting today – starting yesterday, really – the Sabres have to be as cold-blooded as the Vegas Golden Knights have been in their relatively short time of doing business. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon hasn’t spared anyone in his quest to win the Cup year in and year out. When better players come available, either in trades or in free agency, the Golden Knights do whatever it takes to acquire them.
Last year, McCrimmon landed star center Tomas Hertl from San Jose and star defenseman Noah Hanifin from Calgary. The price for both players was considerable, but Vegas went ahead nonetheless and put its future endeavors on the back burner. The Golden Knights have even parted with fan favorites, such as Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith. They aim to win and win now, and that philosophy informs McCrimmon’s moves.
That’s what you need to see from the Sabres now. If that means dealing youngster Dylan Cozens for a proven veteran, that’s what the situation calls for. If that means trading hometown hero Alex Tuch to balance their lineup better, that should be not only acceptable but encouraged. Outside of star defensemen Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power, there shouldn’t be anybody that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams refuses to listen to offers on.
If that means being more aggressive in acquiring players who wouldn’t have had Buffalo as a top potential destination in free agency or trades, so be it. The challenge for Sabres brass is to make bold moves – and, in doing so, to convince NHLers they acquire that they should want to be part of the solution in Buffalo. Forget about palm trees or taxes – the Sabres have to construct an environment players can’t help but want to be involved with. Showing a more urgent commitment to winning by upgrading the roster would help.
The Sabres entered the season looking for another veteran scorer on offense after signing Jason Zucker and trading Matt Savoie for Ryan McLeod, but they still haven’t accomplished that. It’s easier said than done, but with all their draft picks, cap space and some younger talents, Buffalo could keep pushing for moves, even if they raise eyebrows at first. As we said back in November, just do it.
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We’ll soon find out whether Adams is a passive player by or before the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline or whether he’s a proactive, doggedly determined agent of significant change. The way he responds to his current challenge will tell Sabres fans all they need to know about Adams’ tenure. It’s tougher to fault an aggressive approach to acquiring players and trying to end the playoff drought, even if it backfires, than a wait-and-see approach when the team’s out of the post-season race.
Asking yourself, “What Would Vegas Do?’ is a solid barometer of what needs to happen in Western New York.
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