What Happened to Buffalo Sabres?
The Buffalo Sabres, an NHL franchise established in 1970, recently ended an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought by clinching a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This turnaround followed significant organizational changes, including a mid-season general manager change in December 2025 and a remarkable second-half surge under head coach Lindy Ruff. As of April 26, 2026, they are competing in the first round of the playoffs.
Quick Answer
The Buffalo Sabres have successfully ended their NHL-record 14-season playoff drought, qualifying for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as Atlantic Division champions. This achievement followed a challenging start to the 2025-26 season, a change in general manager to Jarmo Kekäläinen in December 2025, and a strong second-half performance. They are currently engaged in their first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, holding a 2-1 series lead as of April 26, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Miss Playoffs by One Point
The Buffalo Sabres finished the 2022-23 season with 91 points, missing the playoffs by just one point, fueling optimism for the following season.
Eliminated from 2024 Playoff Contention
The Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention for the 13th consecutive season after a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars, finishing the 2023-24 season with a 39-37-6 record and 84 points.
Don Granato Fired as Head Coach
Following the disappointing 2023-24 season, head coach Don Granato was fired, leading to a search for new leadership behind the bench.
Lindy Ruff Returns as Head Coach
Lindy Ruff, a former Sabres coach, was re-hired as head coach, marking his second stint with the team, bringing a familiar face back to the organization.
Miss Playoffs for 14th Consecutive Season
The Sabres were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 14th straight season, extending the NHL's longest active playoff drought, despite a late-season surge. They finished the 2024-25 season with a 36-39-7 record.
Jarmo Kekäläinen Hired as Senior Advisor
Jarmo Kekäläinen, former Columbus Blue Jackets GM, was brought in as a Senior Advisor to the General Manager, signaling a potential shift in hockey operations.
Kevyn Adams Fired, Jarmo Kekäläinen Promoted to GM
After a 14-14-4 start to the 2025-26 season, General Manager Kevyn Adams was relieved of his duties, and Jarmo Kekäläinen was promoted to General Manager, taking immediate charge of hockey operations.
New Front Office Additions
New GM Jarmo Kekäläinen continued to reshape the front office, hiring former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin as Associate GM and Josh Flynn as Assistant GM.
Acquire Key Players at Trade Deadline
The Sabres made significant moves at the trade deadline, acquiring defensemen Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley, and forward Tanner Pearson, to add experience, size, and toughness to the roster.
Reach 100 Points
Following a win over the New York Islanders, Buffalo reached 100 points in a season for the first time since the 2009-10 campaign, highlighting their strong performance.
End NHL-Record Playoff Drought
The Buffalo Sabres officially clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, ending an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought, sparking widespread celebration among fans.
Win Atlantic Division Title
The Sabres finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 50-23-9 record (109 points), winning the Atlantic Division title for the first time since 2009-10.
Leading Playoff Series vs. Bruins
As of today, the Buffalo Sabres are currently leading their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Boston Bruins 2-1, with Game 4 approaching.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Buffalo Sabres, a National Hockey League (NHL) franchise founded in 1970, endured a prolonged period of struggle, culminating in an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought that stretched from 2011 to 2025. The team's performance in the 2023-24 season saw them finish 6th in the Atlantic Division with an 39-37-6 record, failing to build on a promising 2022-23 campaign and leading to the dismissal of head coach Don Granato.
The 2024-25 season marked the return of former head coach Lindy Ruff, but the team continued to falter, missing the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year with a 36-39-7 record, finishing 7th in the Atlantic Division. This extended period of futility placed immense pressure on the organization, particularly on owner Terry Pegula and then-General Manager Kevyn Adams, with some analysts even questioning Pegula's ownership.
Key turning points began in May 2025 with the hiring of Jarmo Kekäläinen as a Senior Advisor to the General Manager. The 2025-26 season started poorly, with the Sabres holding a 14-14-4 record by mid-December and once again appearing destined to miss the postseason. This prompted a significant leadership change on December 15, 2025, when Terry Pegula relieved Kevyn Adams of his duties and promoted Kekäläinen to General Manager. Kekäläinen quickly restructured the front office, bringing in Marc Bergevin as Associate GM and Josh Flynn as Assistant GM by December 22, 2025.
Under Kekäläinen's new leadership and Ruff's coaching, the Sabres experienced a dramatic mid-season resurgence. They embarked on an impressive run, including a 10-game winning streak that tied a franchise record, and an 8-game winning streak, achieving a 32-6-2 record over a 40-game stretch. This remarkable turnaround saw them climb from last place in the Eastern Conference in December to contention for a top seed. The team also made strategic acquisitions at the trade deadline, bringing in experienced players like Luke Schenn, Logan Stanley, and Tanner Pearson on March 7, 2026, to add toughness and depth.
On April 4, 2026, the Buffalo Sabres officially clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ending their historic 14-year drought. They concluded the regular season with an impressive 50-23-9 record, accumulating 109 points, and securing the Atlantic Division title for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
CURRENT STATUS as of 2026-04-26: The Buffalo Sabres are currently competing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They are in the first round against the Boston Bruins and hold a 2-1 series lead. Key players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin are making their playoff debuts. While their power play has been a point of concern, the team is making adjustments, including moving Noah Ostlund to the top unit. Forward Josh Norris is currently day-to-day with an injury.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Buffalo Sabres made different choices?