The Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Canadiens, Ducks, Flyers, Red Wings, Sabres, Senators and Sharks all are in varying stages of a rebuild. Nearly all are having difficulty climbing back up the ladder to respectability.
The Sabres, who last made the playoffs in 2011 (!!) really jump out as a team struggling to turn the corner. After a decent start to the season, they’ve lost 10 games in a row (0-7-3) and are plummeting toward the Atlantic Division basement, with only fellow tear-it-downer Montréal below them.
Yet the Sabres are teeming with good, young talent. Tage Thompson is an elite goal scorer and Alex Tuch a fine power forward.