The 2025-26 season is one that the Buffalo Sabres and their fans will never forget. They would end a 14-season playoff drought, win the Atlantic Division for the first time in 15 seasons, had the third most points in franchise history, and were one goal away from reaching the Eastern Conference Final.
As exciting as it was, the pressure is still on the Sabres to make sure this was not a one-time thing, and they can be a perennial playoff contender. On the surface, the moves made this summer certainly might indicate they are going to take a step backward with the departure of Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram.
That is probably why, in a recent article on Bleacher Report, the Sabres were one of four teams destined to be worse next season. Adam Gretz wrote about the Sabres:
"That is still a lot of talent leaving the organization, with nowhere near as much coming back in right now. Maybe it pays off down the line and makes a later version of this Sabres team better, but that doesn't help the current group that finally has a long‑frustrated fanbase believing again.
A lot of things went right on their push to the playoffs in 2025-26, and there is no guarantee that all happens again. Especially with less talent on the roster. It should be a legitimate concern, even if the young core still looks promising and the team itself is still good."
Why Bleacher Report is underselling the Buffalo Sabres' youth
While the Sabres did lose two key parts of their roster, they have an influx of players who are ready to take the next step. Among the forwards, Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich should have a bigger role this season, with players like Noah Ostlund, Zach Benson, and Josh Doan continuing to develop.
The Sabres had one of the best bluelines in the NHL because of their Top 4, and while they did trade away Byram, there is an argument to be made that they have a better Top 6 this upcoming season. Olen Zellweger isn't Byram, but the drop in production isn't going to be as great as some believe.
On top of that, they should have a much better third pair, which was an issue down the stretch, with Louis Crevier and Zach Metsa battling it out for the spot next to Conor Timmins.
There is always the risk of replacing established players with unproven prospects but the Sabres have mitigated some of the risk, as it isn't just one player. They have multiple players who could replace the production, which gives them the best chance of not regressing.
There is still plenty of time before the Sabres return for training camp for Jarmo Kekalainen to make moves, like Connor Hellebuyck, but if this is the roster they are going into next season with, they shouldn't worry about regressing.
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