By Colleen Meosky
When the NHL suspended the remainder of the regular season, the Sabres lost any hope for breaking the eight season playoff drought (now nine). Once again, the organization promised success and then failed to meet their goals. Fans are exhausted from the continuous disappointment. In these past two seasons, the Sabres have shown glimpses of excellence and hope. Unfortunately, these strokes of victory are far too few to be a playoff caliber team. During the offseason last year, GM Jason Botterill decided to relieve Phil Housley of his coaching duties and start fresh with Ralph Kruger. While this did bring a new energy into the room, the team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference for the second year in a row. Nonetheless, this season’s final interviews showed more hope and unity within the group than last year’s agonizing locker room clean out.
While the idea has been explained for the past several, dreadful seasons, there seems to be more development this year with the Sabres’ young core, which should be evident in the future. Here’s why it may hold truth this time:
Many believe he deserves the Hart Memorial Trophy for the player considered the most valuable by his teammates, including Winnipeg Jet Mark Scheifele.
- First and foremost, Jack Eichel has taken an incredible leap in his growth as a player and leader this season. He was one of the few good consistencies for the team. In 68 games played, Jack amassed 78 points(36 goals and 42 assists). With his statistics, determination, and leadership, it is impossible to describe him as anything less than outstanding. It’s no doubt why he is a fan favorite: a deceptive, fast-as-lightning skater who can put the puck wherever he wants and betters all of his teammates on the ice. Quite simply, Jack Eichel is one of the best players in the National Hockey League. He is hitting his prime and has become an extremely dominant presence in the rink. Eichel is thrilling to watch and remains humble yet confident. Many believe he deserves the Hart Memorial Trophy for the player considered the most valuable by his teammates, including Winnipeg Jet Mark Scheifele. Fellow Sabres answered questions about the captain with admiration. Jack Eichel is exactly what the Buffalo Sabres need to be successful, and now it’s time to ensure he’s surrounded by talented, motivated players. Although he’s aware of his astonishing personal achievements in his career so far, Jack is not content with solo success. “Listen, I’m fed up with the losing and I’m fed up and I’m frustrated. It’s definitely not an easy pill to swallow right now. It’s been a tough couple of months. It’s been a tough five years with where things have went. I’m a competitor. I want to win every time I’m on the ice. I want to win the Stanley Cup every time I start a season,” he stated.
- In his sophomore season, Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin did not disappoint. He was off to a steady but not riveting start before sustaining a concussion against Tampa Bay in late November. After 10 weeks of recovery, Dahlin returned better than before. This season he surpassed Bobby Orr to become the player with the fourth most points among teenage defensemen. As he continues to learn from his mistakes, Dahlin is rapidly growing and already shows the marks of a great playmaker. One of his partners this season, Jake McCabe, said, “What I love about Ras the most is that he’s one of the most competitive guys on the ice. When guys start hitting him or tripping him throughout the game, it just elevates his game to another level and he has this compete and drive that really is gonna continue to take his game to the next level and the next level after that.” Dahlin’s main focus over the summer will be to gain muscle and put on weight to help him in the defensive end and in front of the net next year.
- The players finally have a coach they believe in. After Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma, and Phil Housley, the Sabres have found Ralph Krueger to unite and lead the team. He has earned their respect, which is something the former three cannot claim to have done. Captain Jack Eichel said,“His demeanour, the way that he handles himself in the locker room in front of everyone everyday. He’s somebody that I look up to a lot as a role model for leadership. There’s such a great respect there and I think that it’s mutual between the two of us.” With such a strong connection between captain and coach, positive results must be on their way.
While being a Sabres fan for the past nine years has been difficult and frustrating, we are approaching the light at the end of this tunnel. Buffalonians who have held on this long may as well stick with it, especially now when Jack Eichel is here to win.
