Major networks are taking notice of the Buffalo Sabers way of improving their roster, while critiquing the way of a division rival, the Detroit Red Wings.
ESPN’s Kristen Shilton had some kind of words for the Buffalo Sabers in her final rendition of the regular season power rankings. Meanwhile, she wasn’t so interested in the Detroit Red Wings.
The Sabers, who played better than most believed they would this season, are heading into the final week mathematically in the playoff race. Though that can change a few hours after I publish this piece, the Blue and Gold had a successful year, and one they can build on just six short months from today.
So when Shilton concocted her latest rankings, she wanted to describe each of the 32 NHL teams in one word. For the Sabers, she used the adjective “encouraging.” As for the Red Wings, she called them “disappointing.”
Yeah, just about everyone in NHL circles was laughing at the way general manager Kevyn Adams refused to deviate from his plan, despite the amount of cap space the Sabers had. But Adams understood that Franchise Mode in EA’s NHL doesn’t necessarily translate to real life hockey.
Meanwhile, it looks like Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings didn’t get the memo. Adams has not only won the round in the eyes of NHL fans, but the experts have finally realized that perhaps the Sabers general manager was right all along.
Expect the Buffalo Sabers to remain a cut above the Red Wings
For the Sabers, fortunately, this is only the beginning. They were locked in several key players for long-term extensions while others, like Jeff Skinner and Alex Tuch, already had more than a few years left on their respective contracts.
By saving cap space, Adams can ink Rasmus Dahlin with ease, along with Owen Power, when the time calls for it. He can also hang onto key role players if he so chooses in Tyson Jost and once eligible, perhaps even Casey Mittelstadt, and Peyton Krebs.
Then, you also have a brewing star in goaltender Devon Levi, plus growing players in Jack Quinn and JJ Peterka, and key prospects like Jiri Kulich and Matt Savoie. Not only will Buffalo continue to build chemistry and add talent when they need to, but most, if not all the players mentioned above will be Sabers for a long time.
Over in the Motor City, Yzerman basically gave his team a shorter window of opportunity, and selling at the trade deadline practically had him waving the white flag this year. Unless Yzerman changes his tune, Detroit could be stuck in mediocrity while Buffalo could enjoy several postseason runs as the 2020s roll on.
Source: NHL Power Rankings: 1-32 poll, one word to describe each team by Kristen Shilton, ESPN.com
