Pathway to the Playoffs: Buffalo Sabres

Coach
Don Granato

Notable Additions
Owen Power (1st Overall), Craig Anderson, Aaron Dell, Vinnie Hinostroza, Robert Hagg and Will Butcher

Notable Subtractions
Rasmus Ristolainen (Philadelphia), Sam Reinhart (Florida), Matt Irwin (Washington), Jake McCabe (Chicago), Linus Ullmark (Boston) and Riley Sheahan (Seattle)

Notable Free Agents 2022
Victor Olofsson (RFA), Cody Eakin (UFA), Vinnie Hinostroza (UFA), Colin Miller (UFA), Will Butcher (UFA) and Robert Hagg (UFA)

Pathway to the Playoffs
Like the Arizona Coyotes there isn't a pathway to the playoffs for the Buffalo Sabres this season and with their newly minted 1st overall pick Owen Power returning to school for one more year the Buffalo Sabres are back where they began with the Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin draft picks. The only problem for the Sabres is the new draft lottery rules prohibit them from winning the lottery more than once in the next five years. That means any plans they had for acquiring Shane Wright and Connor Bedard in a long-term rebuild will be derailed by the new rules.

Of course beyond the story of the Sabres rebuild the questions everyone is asking most is about the future of Jack Eichel. The Buffalo Sabres recently removed Jack Eichel as the Captain and announced they'll be proceeding next year without a replacement. It's also become very clear that the relationship between the Sabres and their superstar has soured to a point beyond repair and the impending breakup is inevitable. The real question is will the Sabres make this move before further damaging their relationship and chances with any future free agents, or will they be forced to build towards their future via trade and drafting alone?

Prediction
Instigator's Perspective - 8th in the Atlantic
Hockey GM Advice - 8th in the Atlantic