What could this potential realignment mean for the Buffalo Sabres?
As the Buffalo Sabres, and the rest of the league, prepare for the start of the season, the NHL is continuing to try to piece together what the 2021 season will look like. It is looking likely that there will be a division realignment. There are multiple reasons why this decision seems to make sense for this upcoming season.
The two biggest reasons would be the US/Canadian border remaining closed and to just cut down on travel as a whole for teams around the league. These new divisions could look very different from what we are used to seeing.
From a Sabres standpoint, things could look very different for them this season. Reported by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, there has been a rumoured division realignment for the season. According to Wyshynski, the Sabres would be included in the East Division.
This division is looking like it would include the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals.
This new division realignment could prove to be a tough one for Buffalo. During the 2019-2020 season, the Sabres posted a 4-8-2 record against the teams they could be division rivals with during the 2021 season.
The Sabres finished the shortened 2019-2020 season tied with the New Jersey Devils for the least amount of points between all these teams, posting 68 points. The next closest to them was the New York Rangers, who had 79 points. This could lead to a very difficult schedule for the Sabres this season.
These new divisions would lead to a lot of matchups we do not see very often for Buffalo. The most interesting could very well be the Carolina Hurricanes. No one looks at these two teams and sees a rivalry, but there is potential for one to be made between them this season.
With former Hurricanes player Kevyn Adams as the new Sabres GM and former Hurricanes Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal being key pieces on the Sabres roster, we could see some fireworks when these two teams face off this season.
To this point, it is unclear if teams will only play teams that are within their division. If the NHL decides to go this route, the only Atlantic division rival the Sabres will see is the Boston Bruins. This would also lead to no games against rival Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2021 season.
The Sabres would have to travel much less in 2021 compared to past seasons if the NHL decides to tweak the division structure for this year, this being one of the main reasons they are looking into it. The furthest Buffalo would have to travel for a division game with the new alignment is to Carolina, compared to their furthest division games in past seasons being in Florida versus the Flordia Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
If the NHL decides to have new divisions for the 2021 season, it looks like it could mean a tougher schedule for the Buffalo Sabres. This would be a real test for Buffalo and all their new additions. It will be an interesting season regardless, and I am very excited for it to begin.