The Buffalo Sabres once again are searching for answers as they have lost their third straight game on the road and fall further away from a playoff spot. The latest game was a 7-4 loss to the Calgary Flames, who also find themselves near the bottom of their conference but have now won both meetings against Buffalo. It hasn't even been close as the Flames have outscored the Sabres by a total of 13-6 in their two meetings.
While the NHL Trade Deadline is still a few months away, the Calgary Flames appear to be a team that will be sellers. They could want to build for the future after missing the playoffs the previous three seasons and appear destined to make it a fourth this season.
However, Eric Francis on the Flames broadcast team on Monday night provided a cautionary tale about trying to rebuild and used the Buffalo Sabres as an example.
"You want to tear something down to the studs, be careful because you could end up being the Buffalo Sabres and for 20 years be the worst team in hockey," Francis said.
Sportsnet crew lighting up the Sabres #LetsGoBuffalo #Flames pic.twitter.com/iZ5uUTLuar
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) December 9, 2025
Buffalo Sabres have the players but lack the culture needed to win
Francis went on to mention that while the Sabres do have good players, if the culture isn't in place, then it won't mean much of anything. That is exactly what fans are starting to see right now because this is probably their best roster in recent memory, but the results are the same.
This season, the Sabres are 11-14-4 with only 26 points and have struggled on the road with a 2-9-2 record. There was a case earlier in the season that injuries factored into the performance, but they are almost at full-strength with Michael Kesselring being the only key player missing, and still are not competitive.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they will be competing any time soon and heading towards another rebuild. The question is whether or not this one will be different, and the only way it will be is if there are significant organizational changes.
Before making any roster moves, the Sabres need to signal not only to their locker room but around the league that they are committed to winning. That means changes in the front office, starting with Kevyn Adams. He has been in this role as general manager for six seasons with no playoff appearances and it's time for a new vision for this roster.
If that doesn't happen the 'give-a-crap meter' will not only be shut off for the players but the fans as well.