3 Offseason Changes To Get Buffalo Sabres Back In The Playoffs

The Buffalo Sabres have missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons and it has to end. Every year that goes by, the team just keeps extending the record and there have been a lot of talented young players on the team season after season. While they may be getting close, it's not close enough. These are three things that have to change in order for the team to have a chance at snapping the streak.

Bring in More Veteran Leadership

If the Sabres go into next season with only the players who are signed or players who are currently RFAs, there would be three players who are age 30 or older, and Connor Clifton as well as Sam Lafferty recently turned that age. There aren't enough veterans with the right experience heading into next season, even if there are a ton of talented young players. At a point, there has to be a mix because veterans, more often than not, have been in playoff hunts, been to the playoffs, and experienced most of what the league can throw at them. The Sabres would have 11 players on their roster that are 24 years old or younger.

Top-6 Forward

The Sabres finished 10th in goals scored and 29th in goals against this season. This doesn't immediately indicate that the team needs defense though. While a younger defensive group and more saves would help, defense is a team effort. The Sabres need a top-6 forward who can play center or the wing, but if he's more of a two-way player, that would be even better. It may not exactly be easy, but that should be the goal. At least the team will know which defensively liable players not to target to complement that interesting top-6 group.

Goalies to Be Reliable

The starter, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, was the opposite of a problem last season in which he played great. His SV% dropped from .910 to .887 this season with a relatively similar team, if not better outside of goaltending. Devon Levi proved he wasn't ready for full time NHL action again even though he has to figure it out sooner than later. The brightest thing the Sabres had going in net was 36-year-old James Reimer who posted a .889 SV% and had a great stretch of games at the end of the season. The Sabres need much better from their future in net or that future will have to change so Buffalo can take that step forward.