The Buffalo Sabres did enough in free agency to climb another rung

The Pro Hockey Rumors Mailbag outlined an outstanding take on the Buffalo Sabres 2022 free agency situation, understanding the team’s latest moves. 

Brian La Rose of Pro Hockey Rumors gave us a tremendous piece regarding just what the Buffalo Sabres were doing in free agency this offseason. Given the team’s vast improvement in March and April 2022, many fans wanted to see general manager Kevyn Adams make a few splashes in free agency with the team’s immense cap space.

Fortunately, it did not happen. Instead of taking the all-in mentality akin to the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings, Adams was smart and resisted temptation. He knew he had a strong, young core with the current roster capable of making the giant leap in 2022-23.

Since he had a foundation set, it made sense to supplement with free agency instead of spending millions on players who may only have a few seasons left in the tank. This mentality is the long view, something I often call the right view. Because it best ensures that the Sabres won’t just have a playoff-bound team as early as next season, but for the next decade.

Kevyn Adams did enough for the Buffalo Sabres in free agency to help the team without signing replacements for any young talent on the roster.

La Rose said it best when he wrote the following:

"“Yes, they did enough in free agency.  What little they did was for their youngsters and they’re going to try to continue to develop their young core.  That’s basically all they really needed to do so I think GM Kevyn Adams did enough by not doing much of anything.” – via Pro Hockey Rumors."

He asked himself what Adams’ goal was for the Sabres this season, and it came in the form of helping the young core I mentioned earlier. For example, signing Eric Comrie means Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen won’t be pressured to start while Ilya Lyubushkin’s signing brings excellent insurance to the team’s back-end.

He also made an outstanding point about Adams refusing to sign a forward. Although La Rose said injuries happen over the course of a season, the Sabres could always trade for one when they need to. Contracts expire, and opposing teams will be looking to increase their cap space. It is at that time you will see a forward come to Buffalo.

Overall, the Sabres achieved what they sought out to do. They added sensible puzzle pieces to a growing nucleus that made leaps and bounds when healthy last season. That nucleus proved it could compete with some of the NHL’s best teams. By adding depth and protecting the most vulnerable youngsters in the organization, that alone has allowed the Sabres to take the next step.

Article Source: PHR Mailbag: Offer Sheets, Sabres, Kane, Blue Jackets, Kings, Fletcher, Predictions by Brian La Rose