Looking at the old Sabers in the playoffs, how did the drought not end?

The 2023 Stanley Cup Final consisted of former Buffalo Sabers first round picks as Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart battled it out for the Stanley Cup. Eichel was the one who finally came out on top, lifting the Cup above his head a year after being traded from the Sabres.

Over the past few years, many former Buffalo players have played with their new team and had the chance to win the Stanley Cup. Fast forward this year, there were a ton of former Sabers in the playoffs. Sam Reinhart, Kyle Okposo, Brandon Montour, Dmitry Kulikov and Evan Rodrigues are all part of the Florida Panthers.

These are just a few names of former Buffalo players who made the playoffs this year.

Recently, a screenshot of Buffalo’s talent has been circulating. At the time, some of these players were just an afterthought. Now, they help their current team each season contend in the playoffs. Ten of the players you see above are on teams that made the playoffs this year.

Four of those players are on their way to the Stanley Cup Final this season and if the Edmonton Oilers win tonight, it will be five as Evander Kane will be the next former Saber to play for the Stanley Cup. This begs my initial question: how did Buffalo not make the playoffs?

It’s no secret that some of these players were liabilities with the Sabres. He’s not on the roster but Montour has been a revelation with the Panthers alongside Reinhart, who is having a career year. Did the previous regimes not build enough? Was the coaching so bad and not utilizing talent?

It really is a mystery. Looking at the current Sabers team, they have a lot of talent. With Lindy Ruff returning as head coach, we hope general manager Kevyn Adams improves the team this offseason. While this may be a tough pill to swallow, fans should try not to be upset, as the former Sabers are in a much better position than they were in Buffalo.

Hopefully the current regime can turn things around so we can see the real Sabers make the playoffs.