Understand Buffalo Sabres Made Worst Decisions Yet

The Buffalo Sabres made strong selections with the No. 2 overall picks in 2014 and 2015, landing Sam Reinhart and Jack Eichel. But both players found greater success after leaving Buffalo.

Reinhart, in particular, has thrived with the Florida Panthers, winning his second consecutive Stanley Cup and causing many Sabres fans to reexamine the trade that sent him away. In exchange for Reinhart, Buffalo received goaltender Devon Levi and a first-round pick that became Jiri Kulich.

At the time, it seemed like a reasonable deal, but in hindsight, it looks far less favorable for the Sabres — and now there’s considerable pressure on both Levi and Kulich to deliver.

 

 

Reinhart had a breakout 2023-24 season, scoring 50 goals and earning his first All-Star selection. He capped off the Panthers’ championship run with a historic performance, scoring four goals in the Cup-clinching game — the first player to do so in a Finals game since Maurice Richard in 1957.

While Reinhart always showed flashes of promise in Buffalo, it’s clear now the team mishandled his development or undervalued his potential.

Even if Kulich becomes a strong NHL player, it’s hard to imagine he’ll match Reinhart’s impact or production. Levi still has time to grow — goaltenders often take longer to develop — and he could become a solid starter, but there’s doubt that he’ll reach a level that would justify trading away Reinhart.

Together, Kulich and Levi might help improve the Sabres and reshape the franchise’s culture, but from a value standpoint, this trade looks like a loss.

 

 

In contrast, the return for Jack Eichel — which included Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, Noah Ostlund, and a second-round pick later flipped for Jordan Greenway — has paid more immediate dividends. Still, some felt the Sabres lost that trade the moment Eichel won a Stanley Cup, and Reinhart’s success with Florida reinforces a similar sentiment.

Ultimately, the Sabres gave up a star in Reinhart, and that decision continues to frustrate fans — and likely will for years to come.