Buffalo Sabres have reached crossroads in their roster rebuild

The Buffalo Sabres are 7-9-1, which is similar to their record this time last season, and one measly point better if you’re doing the math.

Many fans will disagree with this take, but general manager Kevyn Adams built the Buffalo Sabres correctly. He stacked the prospects pool and many of his draft picks are already playing in the NHL. The list includes the following players:

• Matt Savoie
• Zach Benson
• Jack Quinn
• Owen Power
• JJ Peterka

Others, like Devon Levi, Peyton Krebs (yes, he’s better than what he’s shown us this year), and Alex Tuch, were young talent who arrived via trade. Ditto for Jordan Greenway, who in his first full season with the Sabres has been outstanding. Adams also kept A LOT of talent from previous eras, and it’s paid off nicely, with defenseman Ryan Johnson being the most recent example.

It’s great to see Adams retain young talent and acquire even more young talent to build one of the NHL’s best cores, despite the Blue and Gold’s struggles. But now that we’ve had two straight seasons of pedestrian teams by mid-November, it’s time for Adams to scale up.

Buffalo Sabres general manager MUST start adding experienced talent from outside

Kevyn Adams couldn’t have done a better job with this rebuild, and it was mainly textbook for those of us whose preferred method is to draft, develop, and acquire young talent. Young talent that would eventually mold into the league’s youngest roster because the core would be identified and signed long-term, setting a successful foundation that will, at some point, become the class of the league.

Now, it’s time to add experienced talent, and more than just an aging defenseman and another blueliner whose playing style “fits the system.” This isn’t to say the Sabres should sign Patrick Kane, as you know where I stand on the issue. Though he’d be great if he came on board for just the year, but he doesn’t appear to be interested in that.

Starting as soon as possible, even if it’s not easy to find a trading partner at the present moment, it would be wise for Adams to add a few more puzzle pieces, and during the 2024-25 offseason at the latest, to complete this systemic rebuild. He started well with bringing young talent to the organization, but that only takes you so far regardless of the major professional league you’re in.

Once he puts the finishing touches on this thing with established talent from the outside, your Buffalo Sabres will be legitimate playoff contenders. Maybe it will happen during the season, but IT NEEDS to happen during the offseason.