In 2022, the Buffalo Sabres approached the offseason as a team still in transition. In 2023, they will be looking to punch a ticket into the playoffs.
When current general manager Kevyn Adams took over heading up operations for the Buffalo Sabres, he inherited a barren cupboard. There was hardly any reason to get excited about a team that was then approaching a decade without a single playoff appearance.
But since 2020, Adams has the Sabres trending north, and each season, they got progressively better. Last year, they nearly broke through to make their first playoff appearance in 12 seasons, but they fell just one point out of the final playoff spot.