After two good wins, the Buffalo Sabres seemingly are having to go back to the drawing board with a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. This has been the story of the season as they seemingly take one step forward and two steps back.
However, this is not the recipe for getting back to the playoffs, especially for a team that hasn't been there in 14 seasons. This season seemed pivotal for the franchise and without success, it could result in significant changes.
These changes may not be entirely in the team's control either, as some of their top stars, who have been with the franchise for numerous years, might want to consider playing elsewhere to get to the playoffs. That group includes Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson, who have combined to play 967 regular season games in Buffalo but have never played in an NHL playoff game.
Elliotte Friedman hints that this season might be the Buffalo Sabres finally chance to prove they can put together a competitive team
Earlier this week, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman was on Morning Cuppa Hockey and was asked about Tage Thompson and the potential of him being traded this season. Friedman said that he doesn't see it this season, but depending on how the season finishes, Thompson, and he mentioned Rasmus Dahlin as well, could look for a trade after the season.
"I always believed this was a year where, unless they were completely out of it by the deadline, that conversation would be at the end of the season," Friedman said. "I think at the end of last year, during last year, both Dahlin and Thompson kind of indicated that they really needed to see improvement this year, like this year had to be better."
Friedman did note that as of right now, Thompson seems focused on the Sabres, and Dahlin also isn't requesting a trade, especially with how the team was able to help him with the health issues his fiancée was having.
These feelings will only go on for so long and the Sabres absolutely need to start winning and currently are second to last in the Eastern Conference with 26 points through 27 games. The good news though, is that the Eastern Conference has been pretty mediocre, and they are only seven points back of a Wild Card spot.
However, they can't afford to let games like the one against the Flyers happen often as this is a team that currently has a Wild Card spot and the Sabres are competing directly with. Those are the types of games they have to win if they hope to get back to the playoffs.
In some ways it feels like it is playoffs or bust for the Buffalo Sabres and if they can't get back to the playoffs, it will be a historic shift for the franchise if players like Thompson and Dahlin request a trade and Alex Tuch leaves in free agency.