Buffalo Sabres: How successful was the 2022-23 season?

Everyone has different thoughts of whether the 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres season was successful. Here is why the Blue and Gold enjoyed success last year.

Success, the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. Many people have their own definition of success. Let me ask you this, if you’re a Buffalo Sabres fan, do you think the 2022-23 regular season was a success?

Like I just mentioned, everyone has their own definition of the word success. In the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal for every franchise. Anything less than that is considered a failure. But then there’s clubs like the Sabres.

Coming into the 2022-23 regular season, Buffalo was the youngest team in the NHL. Usually in sports, being the youngest team means you’re going to have a long season and finish with a losing record. With having the longest playoff drought in the NHL, that didn’t help the cause.

Let’s go back, all the way back to the 2011-12 season. That was the last time the Sabres had a winning record. They finished that year with a record of 39-32-11 and registered 89 points. Fast forward to last season, the team finished the 2022-23 season 42-33-7 with 91 points.

Unfortunately, they would miss the postseason by just one point. With how exciting of a season it was, some fans were not happy. Even with a winning record, there was some split amongst the fanbase. Some people were happy and some were frustrated, and who can blame them?

I don’t care who you root for, owning the longest playoff drought in the NHL or in any sport is not fun and is unacceptable. With that being said, let me tell you why I think last year was a success. First and foremost, they finished with at least 40 wins.

The Buffalo Sabres 2022-23 season was a successful one

Ironically enough, the last time Buffalo finished with at least 40 wins was the last time they made the postseason, 2010-11. For being the youngest team in the NHL, getting wins in the 40’s is pretty good.

2010-11 was also the last time the Sabres finished in the 90’s in terms of points. No one had them finishing with that many points and for having the youngest squad in the league. It’s pretty encouraging to say the least, and I know I sound like a broken record but it’s the truth.

As painful as it was missing the postseason once again, they were so so close to breaking the drought. One point was it would’ve took to make the playoffs. There were games that could’ve went better for Buffalo, but after what this franchise and fanbase went through for the last decade or so, this season was exciting until the very end.

So yes, I do think the 22/23 season was a success. I know there are fans out there who are tired of moral victories but just think about how bad it was the last decade. The team was so unwatchable and were out of it in December.

The fact that they were in the hunt during the final week of the season should leave you encouraged for this upcoming season and beyond. Depending on what happens in the offseason, the bar is set. Playoffs should be the goal for Buffalo and I cannot wait to see what they accomplish in the 2023-2024 season.

(Historical data provided by Hockey-Reference)