Buffalo Sabres
Sabres Losing Streak Hits 11 Games: “Out of Solutions” in Room
The Buffalo Sabres losing streak has hit 11 games and the team is “out of solutions” in locker room. What trade is an option?
It seems there are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and the Sabres losing. Last night, just 24 hours after getting a vote of confidence from their owner, the Sabres extended their losing streak to 11 straight games. At this point, it has to be incredibly demoralizing for anyone on the roster. It might be time for management to step in and shake things up. The team’s morale can’t take much more, so the pressing question is: What now?
Mike Harrington wrote, “Clearly one of the most embarrassing moments in #Sabres franchise history. Memo to the owner and GM: You’re out of solutions in your dressing room.”
What Now for the Sabres?
Simply put, the Sabres need to make a change. The coaching carousel has come and gone, so it’s clear that’s not where the issue lies. Maybe it’s time for a new general manager with a fresh perspective. However, the most impactful move could be a major roster shakeup. Looking at the current roster, there are maybe three untouchables: Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Beyond that, every player should be on the table.
Players like Dylan Cozens, Alex Tuch, and even Owen Power shouldn’t have trade protection when the team has been struggling for the past 14 years. If the team can pull off a significant trade to inject new life into the lineup, it could be the answer they have been looking for. Additionally, they might need to move on from players like Jordan Greenway, Jason Zucker, and Bowen Byram in exchange for fresh talent.
Who Is Likely on the Sabres’ Radar?
Chris Johnston’s Trade Bait Board 2.0 on The Athletic lists names like Kaapo Kakko, Marcus Pettersson, Vincent Desharnais, and Nick Robertson as potential trade targets. For a bigger splash, the Sabres could look at Chris Kreider, Yanni Gourde, Alexander Georgiev, and even Brandon Saad.
The Elias Pettersson trade tossed out there by Elliotte Friedman likely isn’t happening.
While owner Terry Pegula has insisted that the solution to the losing streak is within the room, the last 11 games have proven otherwise. It’s time for a change. The worst-case scenario is they keep losing, but it could also spark the shakeup needed to remind players that no job is truly safe anymore.
Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic writes that maybe the coach isn’t safe. He notes: “something has to change eventually. When the Sabres were 12 games into their 18-game winless streak in 2021, Adams fired Krueger. How much patience will Pegula have with Adams if this streak continues?”
Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Sabres, Oilers, Lightning, Flames
More News
