There are two things we know about the Buffalo Sabres: One, they are beyond close to snapping their playoff drought, and two, they need a blueliner.
Ordinarily, I would rarely take advice from another if they’re telling me the best course of action is to sign a player in their 30s. But when you are a young team like the Buffalo Sabres, perhaps even the league’s youngest team once again in 2023-24, and your defensive rotation is full of 20-somethings, with three of your best blueliners in their early 20s, perhaps acquiring a player in their 30s isn’t such a bad idea.
And it’s something Mike McKenna of Daily Faceoff stressed when asked about the Sabres biggest needs. We all knew Buffalo needs a defenseman, but do you roll with an established player in their late 20s and sign them to a monster deal, or do you go with someone else and sign them to be a leader in the rotation, but for fewer years?
McKenna stated the Blue and Gold should go with the latter. Here is a snippet of what he said on the matter:
"“I like the Sabres picking up players in their 30s, because the young players are the ones filtering in. What the Sabres don’t need to do is go out and spend big-ticket money on seven-year deals on players in their late 20s.” Mike McKenna, via Daily Faceoff"
Buffalo Sabres must go the leadership route for 2023-24
The Sabres already re-signed their undisputed leader in Kyle Okposo, but it would still be wise to go out and acquire a player north of 30 to help lead the defensive rotation. Their best bet is to go after a defenseman who not only has 10-plus seasons worth of NHL experience, but also one who has seen time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and knows how to get there.
The Buffalo Sabres also experienced some expected growing pains this past season, seeing cold streaks in November 2022 and March 2023, and that’s something that can’t happen this season if they want to break their playoff drought. Having another sound leader in the room will pay huge dividends this season as Buffalo works to transition its leadership roles from older players like Okposo to younger guys like Alex Tuch, Rasmus Dahlin, and Dylan Cozens, among others.
McKenna mentioned players like Eric Haula, Scott Mayfield, Radko Gudas, and Ian Cole as potential fits for the Blue and Gold. So will Adams take McKenna up on their advice? It won’t be long until we find out.
Source: Offseason preview: The Buffalo Sabres have talent, but need veteran leadership by Anthony Trudeau, DailyFaceoff.com