Assessing the Sabres offseason plan and execution

Buffalo's checklist for the summer was loaded with fascinating choices

Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, coach Lindy Ruff, and owner Terry Pegula (Photo: Joe Yerdon)

It’s August and that means we’re about a month away from the start of NHL training camp opening up. It also means we’re at the right time to take stock of what teams around the league have done to better themselves for the season to come.

In the Buffalo Sabres’ case it means taking a microscopically close look at whether or not they’ve accomplished what they needed to do to help get this team back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011.

From making coaching changes, to buyouts, to trades, to drafting and ultimately free agency, Buffalo has been busy, but has it been enough? We’re going to break things down and give it the kind of keen eye that’s needed at this dreadfully dry time for hockey happenings.

Doing this with full knowledge there is more work to be done (like Peyton Krebs getting re-signed) is always a bit of a risk, but after Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen signed his five-year deal, it feels like everything is just about in place for the upcoming season whether you approve of that or not.

Enough stalling let’s get down to business on a fascinating Sabres offseason and if it’s enough to stave off another round of déjà vu.