Buffalo Sabres On Pace For Record Season Again
Last season, the Buffalo Sabres were bad, this season, the Buffalo Sabres are just as bad. Fans don’t seem to mind so much anymore, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel – and better times are ahead.
Yesterday in my daily draft lottery simulation, I mentioned that the Buffalo Sabres are on pace to match last years point total, which would tie them for the third worst record (points wise) in the history of the franchise.
Three times in the history of the franchise have the Buffalo Sabres been worse, but not by much. The 1971-1972 regular season, the teams second year in the National Hockey League, the Buffalo Sabres missed the playoffs for the second straight year with only 16 wins. Those wins were joined by 19 ties for a total of 51 points.
The Buffalo Sabres missed the playoffs three out of the first four seasons in the league.
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The second time the Buffalo Sabres only managed 51 points, they made the playoffs, but lost in the first round to the Philadelphia Flyers. Make the playoffs with only 51 points you say? It happened during the shortened season of 1994-1995, when the league only managed to play 48 games. They managed a record that year of 22-19-7.
The worst season point wise in the Buffalo Sabres franchise history for a complete season would be their sophomore season in the National Hockey League, but their worst season point wise for the regular season would have been the 2012-2013 regular season, in 48 games due to the lockout shortened season, the Buffalo Sabres managed only 48 points, with a 21-21-6 record.
On pace for matching the 52 point seasons, the Buffalo Sabres are going to get worse before they get better, this season. With the trade deadline just a couple of weeks away, the Buffalo Sabres are going to be moving pieces off the roster. If your on an expiring contract or if you are not part of the future of this organization – there is a good chance that you will be moved.
The biggest trade being floated out there would be a trade between the Buffalo Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets. A trade that is ideal for the Buffalo Sabres situation. They give up pieces that are helping them win now (a player such as Chris Stewart or Tyler Ennis), possibly a draft pick or two, and possibly an A level prospect. In return, you would be getting Evander Kane. How is that a winning combination? You lose pieces that are helping you win, for a player that won’t see the ice again in 2014-2015.
Win. Win. Win.
Certainly losing sucks, and no one likes to do it or see it, but the fact of the matter is the prize for losing this year is a type of player that comes along only once in a generation. A type of player that the Buffalo Sabres have only had once or twice in their franchise history. Only a couple of other times have they had anyone else that comes even close.
So the poll today is do you think the Buffalo Sabres will be better, the worse, or end up the same points wise as last season?