Changes might be coming for the Sabres

The past couple of weeks have been nothing short of eventful for the Buffalo Sabres, off the ice, that is. The team is in the 8th and last place in the East Divison and outside-looking-in as far as the top-four-team playoff picture.

First came differing perspectives between head coach Ralph Krueger and Jeff Skinner regarding his slump and playing time. That was then followed by some healthy scratches and a long phone conversation between Skinner’s agent, Don Meehan, and first-year Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, expressing their concerns.

As if that weren’t enough, outside distractions in the media have also begun to make their way into the mix. As if on cue, Jack Eichel trade rumors have started up again. So much so that GM Kevyn Adams publically made it clear this past Friday that Captain Jack has not requested a trade. He also made it clear he does not plan to trade Jack Eichel and ruled out a “full-fledged” rebuild but made it clear he has ownership’s support to make necessary changes.

One thing that fans, players, and the front office share in common? They are all tired of losing. Those losses are accumulating during a shortened season, and that has resulted in GM Kevyn Adams officially putting coach Krueger on notice last Friday as he described the team’s play as “unacceptable,” how “it’s flat-out not good enough,” and that “everything is under evaluation” in reference to Krueger while speaking on a conference call.

“He understands the situation we’re in is unacceptable, and the players do, everybody does,” Adams said of Krueger. “I like Ralph a lot. I’ve learned a lot from Ralph,” he added. “But we both know that this hasn’t been good enough in terms of translating to success. We’ll assess everything.”

On the ice, the Sabres are struggling to win games, despite showing flashes of the talent on their roster and numbers that suggest they are fully capable of it. They just haven’t been able to put together a streak of wins.

The Sabres are significantly outshot by opponents, despite upgrades to the team in the offseason to bolster scoring. The excitement of the draft and free agency that had offered the promise of change has not yet translated into the wins the team hoped it would.

So with that in mind, here is a look at some changes that could be coming in Buffalo.

A performance vs. contract paradox

Jeff Skinner scored his first goal in over a year this past weekend. A couple of years ago, he earned a big contract by putting up big performance numbers, including power-play time with Jack Eichel. He has since been moved out of the line pairings that created the offensive opportunities that led to said numbers, relegated to a backline and defensive zone role.

Under Krueger, Skinner has not been utilized correctly and has not been set up to succeed. In fact, being marginalized in this role has set up Skinner for this lack of success. The obvious answer here is to switch him to line pairings that will maximize his abilities, which are documented by data and metrics to be above league average, highlighting the need for better line pairings.

A youth movement rising

At its core, the Sabres have a crop of young talent developing who are poised to potentially be difference-makers in the Sabres turnaround now and for years to come. Dylan Cozens has been a bright spot this season, and his emergence, along with that of fellow young players such as Victor Olofsson and Sam Reinhart, suggests there are pieces in place to become a contender over time. With some of the success the younger talent has had, and with the team not always looking hungry or inspired, might we see some more faces Buffalo has in its pipeline?

There is one that stands out- The 8th overall pick in the NHL Draft this past October, Jack Quinn. The idea of playing Quinn might sound unlikely at first, but a closer look reveals why it could be worth consideration. He is a versatile playmaker and creator of offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates, was considered one of the oldest picks in the draft, one of the top natural scorers, forwent AAA to go right to the CCHL and OHL, was second in the league in scoring, has advanced puck skills, keeps defenders off their game, and extends offensive possessions.

This is the very player the team drafted to address these needs, and it might be time to start working him into rotation play. It may be sooner than originally planned, but some playing time for the rookie could be a difference-maker considering the success other young Sabres players are having and the energy they are bringing. Should Quinn even fill a back-line rotation roll, it could allow the team more flexibility in what other players they might be able to shop for improvements in the trade market.

A coach on the hot seat

The Sabres have the talent to win, and head coach Ralph Krueger needs to do exactly that. His rotations and lines have not yielded the production for needed wins. He also does not appear to have plans to make changes based on his recent quotes, and the losses have resulted in his job performance being evaluated as the front office looks for answers. A big turnaround is needed to salvage the season, and Krueger appears more set on following the routine that has yielded the current results.

The question as to whether Krueger is part of the problem or part of the solution has now been raised by none other than Sabres GM Kevyn Adams. Still, another big question remains- If the Sabres were to part ways with Krueger, is there a better coaching candidate out there who can effectively turn the season around for Buffalo?

A trade deadline looming

The April 12th NHL trade deadline is approaching, and Buffalo is reportedly “open for business” and taking trade calls, which has reportedly included inquiries on Sam Reinhart and Eric Staal. It’s unclear at this time if or in what capacity the current economic state of payroll around the league, short-season contracts, and realigned divisions will impact the trade market- If at all. Trading Skinner and his big contract could be a possibility, presuming they found a taker- But would that make the team better?

The sizable financial pact could make it a challenge to do so and likely would not fetch a return of equal or greater value. Teams could ask for a young talent to be attached for taking the contract, which wouldn’t make it worthwhile. In fact, the best possible outcome could be making the best out of Skinner’s presence by actually putting him back in a position to succeed. The team may not want to trade any of its young talents, but flipping some line players for one’s more compatible to the Sabres players and their styles could help. Or taking on a contract of a player from a cap-strapped team in return for compatible talent.

One idea that has been floated, and also one that is sounding better by the day as the win-loss column grows more disproportionate, is to trade for a strong veteran goalkeeper. Keeping the other team from scoring is half the battle, and if you look back over the final scores of games so far this season, a save or two could have made a direct difference in the outcomes.