The Buffalo Sabres' only path to sustained success is building through the NHL Draft. They aren't a major player in free agency for a variety of reasons, including an active 14-year playoff drought, and general manager Kevyn Adams hasn't been able to land superstars via trade.
Here's the problem: The Sabres haven't found consistent success in the draft during Adams' tenure, either. It's why the organization only remains a fringe postseason hopeful despite picking in the lottery every year for over a decade.
That's further evidenced by the fact ESPN's Rachel Kryshak ranked the NHL's top 50 prospects on Thursday, and not a single player from Buffalo's farm system cracked the list.