The Buffalo Sabres have lost eight of their last nine games, own last place in the Eastern Conference and still haven't won a road game this season. That'd be considered rock bottom for most NHL organizations. For the Sabres? It's just another November.
Now the question is whether this year's slide down the standings will lead to significant changes to the organization.
Adam Proteau of The Hockey Writers argued Friday it's time for the Blue and Gold to move on from both general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff.
"The status quo is a non-starter for this Buffalo team," Proteau wrote. "Change has to come for the Sabres, and change has to come now. This Sabres squad simply doesn't have what it takes to consistently win games, and until such time as a page is turned on this terrible era for the franchise, the losing and suffering is going to continue."
He added: "That means the end of the line for Adams and Ruff, two longtime Buffalo residents who, for one reason or another, could never get the job done."
Adams has served as the Sabres' GM since June 2020, while Ruff began his second tenure leading the team's coaching staff in April 2024.
Will Buffalo Sabres team owner Terry Pegula opt for an in-season overhaul of the NHL franchise?
Pegula, who's adopted a financially conscious approach to the Sabres over the past five years, would probably prefer to retain Adams and Ruff for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, hope for a miraculous playoff run and then make decisions if that doesn't materialize.
At some point, however, it's fair to question whether Buffalo can even be taken seriously if it makes no meaningful staff changes amid the latest collapse.
Last November, the Sabres began a 13-game losing streak that destroyed their season before Christmas as Adams stood idly by not making any roster moves. This year it might be over before Thanksgiving, and once again the general manager is silent.
Ruff returned as a fan favorite dating back to his playing days for Buffalo, and fans won't hold a grudge against him for what's transpired in his second stint behind the bench. That said, his coaching staff has failed to deliver meaningful improvements, particularly on the dreadful power play.
So, how much longer can Pegula sit back without addressing the situation?
Would it be shocking if he did nothing until next offseason? No. It would save him money and a legitimate in-season turnaround would be incredibly difficult, especially given the endless stream of injuries the team is being forced to overcome.
That doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. The club's attendance numbers are already less than ideal, and it's only going to get worse if playoff hockey is out of the picture before 2026 even arrives.
Dismissing Adams, Ruff and the rest of the coaching staff would at least send a message that the latest downturn in performance is unacceptable.
Jarmo Kekalainen, who previously served as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, could take over the front office, while Rochester Americans head coach Michael Leone could lead the coaching staff, both on an interim basis.
How things go over the next five months would determine whether Buffalo should move forward with that duo or shift focus to a full organizational restructure next summer. Former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan has been linked to the franchise.
Ultimately, as Proteau wrote, the status quo simply isn't anywhere near good enough. The Sabres become a bigger laughingstock with each passing loss.
Now it's time to find out whether Pegula cares enough to address the problem.