Just one year ago, most major outlets ranked the Buffalo Sabres near the bottom of the NHL power rankings. But 2023 is a different story.
The Buffalo Sabres were, at best, slated to be the seventh-best team in the Atlantic Division in 2022-23. If you remember correctly, the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators made a flurry of roster moves while general manager Kevyn Adams made a few low-key signings in hopes of giving his prospects room to graduate to the Queen City.
While the Red Wings and Senators toiled in mediocrity, the Sabres, despite not making the playoffs for the 12th straight season, overachieved with 91 points, finishing ahead of Detroit and Ottawa.