Summer Coolers – Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres finally broke through. After a 14-season playoff drought, Buffalo finished first in the Atlantic Division, second in the Eastern Conference, and fourth overall before defeating Boston in the opening round and taking Montreal to overtime in Game 7. Now the expectations change. Neil Smith and Vic Morren examine whether the Sabres can build on their breakthrough season despite losing Alex Tuch, how their revamped defense could make them even stronger, and why goaltending may still separate Buffalo from the NHL’s true Stanley Cup contenders.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00:00] Buffalo finishes first in the Atlantic and second in the Eastern Conference, ending a 14-season playoff drought by qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2011.

[00:00:25] The Sabres defeat the Boston Bruins in six games before their season ends with an overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 7 of the second round.

[00:00:45] Nearly every major team metric moves in the right direction. Buffalo improves offensively, defensively, on the power play, and on the penalty kill during Lindy Ruff’s second season back with the organization.

[00:01:00] With the playoff drought finally over, Neil explains that the expectations in Buffalo have completely changed. Simply improving is no longer enough—the fan base will expect another playoff appearance and a place among the Atlantic Division’s top teams.

[00:01:25] The biggest offseason departure is Alex Tuch. The unrestricted free agent is moved to Washington in a sign-and-trade that brings David Kämpf and a 2026 third-round selection back to Buffalo.

[00:01:50] Buffalo also makes a significant change on defense, trading Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks for Louis Crevier and first- and second-round selections in the 2026 NHL Draft.

[00:02:10] Vic likes the addition of Crevier, who showed that he could be a serviceable NHL defenseman even while playing for a struggling Chicago team.

[00:02:25] The Sabres further reshape the blue line by acquiring Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks and signing him as a restricted free agent.

[00:02:45] Zach Benson’s emergence, particularly during the postseason, gives Buffalo another reason for optimism, while more will be expected from Peyton Krebs.

[00:03:00] Even after losing Tuch, Vic believes the Sabres have enough talent to challenge for another 100-point season and remain near the top of the Atlantic Division.

[00:03:20] Neil agrees that Tuch is a significant loss but wonders whether the forward’s previous season may ultimately prove to have been a career year. His performance in Washington will provide the next test.

[00:03:40] Neil remains skeptical about Byram developing into the player his contract and expectations suggest he can become, making Buffalo’s decision to move him easier to understand.

[00:04:00] Buffalo still possesses high-end talent led by Tage Thompson, and Neil believes the Sabres should remain firmly in the battle for the top of the Atlantic.

[00:04:20] Rasmus Dahlin’s postseason performance reinforces his status as an elite NHL defenseman, while Owen Power gives Buffalo another major piece on the back end.

[00:04:40] The larger concern is in goal. Devon Levi is traded to Edmonton for a 2028 third-round pick, leaving Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Colten Ellis, and Alex Lyon as Buffalo’s primary options.

[00:05:00] Vic believes that goaltending group may be sufficient to produce another strong regular season but questions whether it is good enough to win a Stanley Cup.

[00:05:20] Neil agrees that Buffalo does not currently possess championship-level goaltending, but he also does not view the Sabres as a true Stanley Cup contender yet. He sees them as a dangerous Atlantic Division team still trying to reach the NHL’s elite tier.

[00:05:40] Additional defensive changes include Michael Kesselring being traded to San Jose and Luke Schenn leaving after his brief stint with Buffalo.

[00:06:00] Young forwards Konsta Helenius and Noah Östlund could become increasingly important after showing flashes late in the regular season and during the playoffs.

[00:06:20] Vic believes increased contributions from Buffalo’s younger forwards could help compensate for Tuch’s departure, but Neil cautions that replacing him will require more than one player.

[00:06:40] Tuch contributed in numerous situations and was one of Buffalo’s most important regular-season players. Neil expects Ruff to replace that production by committee rather than relying on a single forward.

[00:07:00] The conversation turns to Tuch’s disappointing postseason and whether those struggles influenced Buffalo’s willingness to let him leave despite his connections to Western New York and history as a Sabres fan.

[00:07:20] Ultimately, Neil believes the financial commitment was simply too large. With Washington prepared to give Tuch an eight-year, $84 million contract, Buffalo was not ready to make that kind of long-term investment.

[00:07:40] The Sabres enter 2026-27 with something they have not carried in years: expectations. The defense may be stronger, the young talent continues to develop, and Buffalo should remain an Atlantic contender—but replacing Tuch and proving the goaltending can hold up will determine just how high this team can climb.