Just a couple of months ago, the Buffalo Sabres were staring down the barrel of another lost season. A 7-9-4 start, capped by a blowout loss at home to the struggling Calgary Flames, had them sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference. It was the kind of early-season spiral Sabres fans have seen too many times before.
But something shifted.
Fast forward 29 games, and Buffalo has rattled off a 20-8-1 stretch that’s vaulted them into the first wild-card spot in the East. That’s not just a turnaround - it’s a full-blown revival. And in a city that hasn’t seen playoff hockey since 2011, the buzz is back in Western New York.
So, what changed?
For starters, the Sabres finally got healthy. Key players returned from the IR, and with them came a much-needed offensive spark.
Buffalo’s scoring - both in volume and efficiency - picked up significantly. The puck started going in, and the team’s previously low shooting percentage began to normalize.
It wasn’t just luck; it was a matter of getting the right players back in the lineup and watching the chemistry click.
But the resurgence wasn’t just about bodies on the ice. It was also about a bold move off it.
In December, the Sabres made a major front-office shakeup, firing GM Kevyn Adams and bringing in Jarmo Kekalainen, the former Blue Jackets executive. That change seemed to light a fire under the roster.
Almost immediately after the switch, Buffalo ripped off a 10-game winning streak - a run that not only salvaged their season but redefined it.
This version of the Sabres feels different. The underlying numbers have been solid for most of the year, even if they’ve dipped slightly of late.
The forward group has more depth and versatility, thanks in large part to the emergence of Josh Doan and the acquisition of Ryan McLeod. Both have brought energy and consistency to the middle six, helping to round out a lineup that used to rely too heavily on its top-end talent.
Defensively, Buffalo isn’t just surviving - they’re thriving. The blue line is still a bit top-heavy, but when your top four includes Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, and Bowen Byram, that’s a good problem to have.
Those four carried a heavy load in a recent win over Nashville, each logging over 23 minutes, with Dahlin topping 28. That kind of usage isn’t sustainable deep into the season, though, and it underscores the need for reinforcements.
The bottom pair in that game - Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa - saw limited ice time. If Buffalo wants to make a legitimate playoff push, they’ll need to shore up that third pairing.
There are options out there. Calgary’s Zach Whitecloud and Joel Hanley, Winnipeg’s Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn, and Nashville’s Nick Perbix and Nick Blankenburg are all potential trade targets - and none of them come with no-trade clauses, which is a big plus for a team like Buffalo that’s historically struggled to attract players with those restrictions.
And speaking of the trade deadline - this year, the Sabres can’t afford to sit back. The East is too competitive, and the momentum they’ve built is too valuable to waste.
Buffalo has long been a deadline seller or a team that simply stays quiet. But this season demands a different approach.
It’s time to buy.
The most pressing need? Center depth.
Tage Thompson has spent significant time on the wing, and Josh Norris is once again sidelined, this time on a week-to-week basis. The market for centers is always tricky, but Buffalo might already have an in-house option in 2024 first-round pick Konsta Helenius, who just posted a three-point night in a 5-3 win over the Predators.
It’s a small sample, but it’s the kind of performance that turns heads.
The wings could also use a boost. Jack Quinn and Jason Zucker have had their moments, but both have struggled to maintain consistency at 5-on-5.
Upgrading one or both spots - especially alongside McLeod - could give the Sabres a more dynamic second or third line. Then there’s the looming contract situation with Alex Tuch.
He’s been productive, with 41 points in 48 games, but he’s due for a new deal before July 1. That’s a decision the front office will need to weigh carefully as they assess their long-term cap picture.
In goal, Buffalo’s three-headed rotation might finally need to be trimmed. Colten Ellis could be the odd man out, and while putting him on waivers isn’t ideal, it might be a necessary move to create roster flexibility.
The good news? The Sabres have the assets - both picks and prospects - to be active players at the deadline.
They may regret parting with their 2026 second-rounder in the Norris-for-Cozens swap, but they still have enough capital to get deals done.
The next few weeks will be critical. The Sabres have put themselves in position to make a real run, but staying there will take more than just good vibes and hot streaks. It’ll take smart moves, continued health, and a commitment to pushing forward.
It all starts Thursday night in Montreal, where they’ll face a Canadiens team that’s also trending up. The playoff race is heating up, and for the first time in a long time, the Sabres are right in the thick of it - not as hopefuls, but as contenders.