The Buffalo Sabres played hard Thursday night against the Colorado Avalanche. It's the lowest possible bar, but it's still one the team has frequently failed to jump during it's 14-year playoff drought, which has watched several roster cores fail to reverse the franchise's fortunes.
Yet, the Sabres were still clearly outclassed by an incredibly talented Avs squad that's the epitome of a top-tier Stanley Cup contender. The 6-3 road loss was a stark reminder just how far the Blue and Gold remain from seriously competing with the NHL's elite.
Kevyn Adams is in his sixth year leading Buffalo's front office and, while not every move the general manager has made was a bust, he's failed to build a truly competitive roster from top to bottom.
Some will argue Adams isn't to blame because of financial mandates implemented by team owner Terry Pegula in 2020, or because the Sabres aren't a preferred destination for free agents or heavily rumored trade candidates.
Perhaps that's a grain of truth to that sentiment. If there is, however, it raises an even more troubling question for the struggling organization: Is there anyone, literally anyone, who can lead the long-awaited resurgence?
Rumors have linked Buffalo to former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan, and the Sabres have Jarmo Kekalainen, who previously served as Columbus Blue Jackets GM, on their staff as a senior advisor.
Whether Pegula hires Shanahan, Kekalainen or another candidate to replace Adams — his seat should be getting incredibly hot despite his strong relationship with the team's owner — will it just be more of the same underwhelming moves paired with trying to strike gold in the draft?
It feels like the answer may be yes, and that's a massive concern for a team that's already struggling to keep bringing back fans to fill the KeyBank Center seats.
As Pegula ponders his next move, let's break down Thursday's contest with the next installment of our Sabres player grades series.
Tage Thompson quiets critics with strong showing in Buffalo Sabres' Nov. 13 loss to the Colorado Avalanche
Sabres player grades
Player | Grade (1-10) |
|---|---|
Tage Thompson | 8 |
Alex Tuch | 6.5 |
Ryan McLeod | 5.5 |
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen | 5.5 |
Josh Doan | 5 |
Isak Rosen | 5 |
Bowen Byram | 4.5 |
Owen Power | 4 |
Tyson Kozak | 4 |
Alex Lyon | 4 |
Mattias Samuelsson | 3.5 |
Jack Quinn | 3.5 |
Noah Ostlund | 3 |
Conor Timmins | 3 |
Jordan Greenway | 2.5 |
Jacob Bryson | 2.5 |
Michael Kesselring | 2 |
Peyton Krebs | 2 |
Beck Malenstyn | 1.5 |
Josh Dunne | 1 |
Buffalo Player of the Game: Tage Thompson
Thompson, who's become the focus of both legitimate critiques and trade rumors, looked far more like his usual self against Colorado. His compete level was significantly elevated and he had an extra jump in his stride that's been lacking for most of the season.
Afterward, the two-time 40-goal scorer admitted moving back to center after playing mostly on the wing since the latter stages of last season was a welcome change.
"I felt like myself; felt way better in the middle," Thompson told reporters. "I thought I was moving my feet really well. For me, I like being in the middle. You can carry the puck and kind of dictate the pace of the game, and I feel like it just gets me involved in the play more, being able to skate up the ice with the puck and make plays and find myself in pockets to shoot."
The 28-year-old forward even delivered one of his patented power-play goals in the second period to brief tie the game before the Avalanche took the lead for good a few minutes later.
Buffalo needs to see this version of Tage on a far more consistent basis moving forward. He's a true game-changing force when he's carrying the puck with the speed and power that he showed against the Avs, and the team will hope it's a sign of things to come.
Sabres quick hits
- It was nice to see head coach Lindy Ruff quickly acknowledge Alex Lyon on the bench after giving him a quick hook after the first two Colorado goals. After the game, Ruff said the goalie change had "nothing to do with Lyon."
- The Sabres' starting goalie had no chance on the Avs' first tally, a breakaway snipe by Martin Necas, but he did give up too big of a rebound that Artturi Lehkonen capitalized on for the second goal.
- Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen played well in relief to keep Buffalo in the game.
- Along with Thompson, Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway also scored for the Sabres. It was Greenway's first goal of the campaign.
- Peyton Krebs continues to make a limited impact, once again dashing hopes he could finally deliver a breakout season.
- Buffalo needs Michael Kesselring to round into form soon. He's struggled since returning from injury.
- The Sabres (5-8-4), who sit last in the Eastern Conference, next play Saturday night (7 p.m. ET) when they visit Little Caesars Arena to take on the Atlantic Division rival Detroit Red Wings (10-7-0).