The Buffalo Sabres missed the postseason for the 14th straight season, but that fact failed to sway owner Terry Pegula from making any significant changes to the management structure. GM Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff are returning, with both entering the final years of their contracts. The only major shift has been the addition of Jarmo Kekalainen as a senior advisor, which many observers interpret as the former Columbus GM being the heir apparent if Adams is dismissed during or after next season.
The lack of changes and the failure to make any meaningful progress over the last few seasons in spite of drafting high over the last decade is reflected in The Athletic’s front-office confidence rankings, which collates fans' grades in six categories: roster building, cap management, drafting and development, trading, free agency, and vision. The survey has Buffalo fans ranking the Sabres dead last overall in the league.
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The Sabres dropped six spots from 26th last summer to 32nd overall and at the bottom in five of the six categories, with only the New York Rangers in drafting and development preventing them from a clean sweep. The feedback finds fault with the ownership of Pegula, and his failure to provide the resources needed to make them a winner, but also that the inexperience of Adams and his staff has contributed to their continuing struggles.
The current mindset of the Buffalo fanbase regarding the Sabres has shifted from anger to apathy, with Western New York fans focusing on the opening of the NFL season and the Bills challenging for a Super Bowl. Last season, the Sabres were in a playoff spot until just before Thanksgiving, but a 13-game winless skid all but ended any postseason hopes. This season, a repeat of that lengthy stretch of futility at any point will undoubtedly cost Adams his job.
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