While many National Hockey League teams have had disappointing starts to the season, the Buffalo Sabers are looking at another disastrous campaign.
With a mature core and a plethora of talented goaltenders, the Sabers were expected to contend for a playoff spot, potentially placing themselves in the top four in the Atlantic Division.
However, things did not go as planned.
Through 25 games, Buffalo is 10-13-2, the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Their 22 points put them just four ahead of the Ottawa Senators for last place in the Atlantic, and four behind a Wild Card spot.
Their top prospect in front of the post, Devon Levi, ended up being the odd one out among the goaltending trio and was sent to AHL Rochester for refinement. The Sabers are currently tied for sixth most goals allowed (85) with the Chicago Blackhawks.
On Monday edition of Daily Faceoff LIVEFrank Seravalli expressed his concerns over the team’s poor play.
Frank Seravalli: Last year they looked like an intense team, they were in the fight, they were competing. I think too often this season they are an easy team to play against. Are there going to be hiccups? Of course they are…but when you look at where the Sabers are, I definitely have concerns for a team that I thought was going to be a playoff team this year. The hardest part for me is: what happens next? We know they were looking for Patrick Kane and they didn’t land him. I can’t help but think of a team like Vancouver and how aggressive they have been, making five of the last eight trades in the NHL, to try to improve their team on the margins, to get out of the playoffs. team… to be in the mix.
You can watch the full segment and the entire episode here…
