The Buffalo Sabres had an unsuccessful 2023-24 season, evident from the swift departure of former head coach Don Granato and his replacement by Lindy Ruff, a familiar face. Ruff appears to be the only recent coach capable of leading the team beyond the regular 82-game schedule, so the early signs for the 2024-25 season look promising.
And no, that comment about the report card isn’t literal; we still have about 400 to 425 days before anyone evaluates the 2024-25 Sabres. I didn’t say 365 days because, with Ruff back, playoff expectations are high for next season.
But what’s necessary for Ruff to guide the team to success, something they haven’t experienced since his first stint as head coach? Firstly, general manager Kevyn Adams must avoid major mistakes, which he seems to be doing well so far. Additionally, he needs to assess the team’s performance in offense, defense, and special teams from the past season and make appropriate moves based on that evaluation.
Grading the Buffalo Sabres performance is a good place to start
Whether Kevyn Adams evaluates his team and writes a report card for them is uncertain, and even if he did, it’s unlikely we’ll see it. Instead, this slideshow will give you a good understanding of how well (or poorly) the Sabres played in the 2023-24 season.
This report card doesn’t evaluate every player but provides an overview of the team’s performance from October 2023 to April 2024. If you followed the Blue and Gold this season, you probably have an idea of what this assessment might reveal.
Alternatively, if Lindy Ruff’s return has sparked your interest and you want to know the current status of the Sabres, keep reading.
