How the 2021-22 Buffalo Sabres were like the 2018 Bills
By Zach Jezioro
Even though the Bills and the Buffalo Sabres are different, the latter is giving off a 2018 Bills vibe. Find out why below.
Everyone knows the Buffalo Sabres are finally looking like a team who could make the playoffs this season or the season after. As for the Buffalo Bills, they are a Super Bowl contender. Even though the Sabres are not like the Bills when it comes to being a contender, last year’s Sabres gave me a 2018 Bills vibes.
Where no one expected them to have a winning season and making the playoffs. With the Bills being one of the best teams in the NFL, it wasn’t too long ago where they were just like the Sabres during the last 11 years. Just like Buffalo’s NHL team, their football team also had a very long dark period of time.
In fact, the Bills had a longer playoff drought. The Buffalo Sabres are currently on a 11 year playoff drought but the Bills waited 17 years to make the postseason.
Something else they both have in common, hiring and firing coaches/general managers. Before Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott took over, the Bills had their own management problems. Coaches and general managers would get hired then get fired a couple of years later.
Goalie is the most important position in the NHL. For football, it’s the quarterback. Again, both teams are similar in that aspect. Before Josh Allen was drafted, the Bills had countless quarterbacks play for the team and they never worked out. Jim Kelly was the last franchise quarterback before Allen, so it’s been awhile since the Bills had a franchise quarterback they could rely on.
Ryan Miller was the last franchise goaltender for the Sabres. While fans hope Ukko Pekka Luukkonen is the next franchise goaltender, it still remains a mystery what’s going to happen with him. The point is, both of these teams have had trouble finding the most important position for their team.
The last way these two teams are similar, the management they have is good for the environment and the players want to play in this city. Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have created a winning culture and making the players not only wanting to play in Buffalo, but they want to play for the management.
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Ever since Don Granato took over, the players on the Sabres roster love playing for him and it shows on the ice. General manager Kevyn Adams has stated many times that he wants players in the locker room who want to be here. Once again, both of these teams are just like each other in some ways despite where the stage where each franchise is at.