Why starting the season on the right note is vital for the Buffalo Sabres
By Jim Lynch
The Buffalo Sabres last made the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2011. Since then, they have finished near the bottom of the standings more often than not, but if finally feels like they could be turning the corner back into the playoffs.
Last season the Buffalo Sabres finished in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. They were just a single point away from making the playoffs as the Florida Panthers had 92 points.
This season hopefully will be different in Buffalo. With Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson leading the charge, there is no doubt the Sabres could be heading to the playoffs, but there is one important element to the Sabres season. The Sabres need to start the season off on the right note.
Why starting the season on the right note is vital for the Buffalo Sabres.
In years past Buffalo has started the year off strong putting together a pretty good record through their first 10 to 15 games only to fall off from there. This time around it could be a game changer if they enter the month of December in a playoff spot playing competitive hockey.
Buffalo has the third most projected cap space currently according to CapFriendly, and there is a pretty big free agent looking to sign with a contending team during the season. Could the hometown Stanley Cup Champion potentially be heading to Buffalo?
Patrick Kane is not expected to sign with a team ahead of the 2023-24 season considering he is recovering from undergoing hip surgery in June. With so many teams now up against the cap, Buffalo could be one of the best options for Kane to play next season, especially if they are in a good spot when he is ready.
Kane most likely won’t be signing with any team until he is ready to play. That puts things on a timeline of late November or early December before teams see Patrick Kane on the ice. A lot of rosters have already filled out their lineup and are now getting ready for opening night.
Other contending teams probably won’t be able to offer Kane a roster spot or the money he will want to make this season, but the Sabres do in fact have the space to make things. That would make for a fun sight to see. The Buffalo Sabres making a push for the Stanley Cup playoffs with Buffalo native Patrick Kane helping to get them there.