The Buffalo Sabres have struggled profoundly since their last playoff appearance in 2011, losing key talents like Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart, who have since flourished elsewhere. The Sabres sit tied with the New York Jets for the longest playoff drought across the major North American sports leagues. Despite having a solid draft position and assembling promising young talent, their development has faltered, leading to poor performance. Compounding these issues are frequent coaching changes and a failure to cultivate a winning culture. Former players attribute their success after leaving Buffalo to joining teams with established winning environments, highlighting the Sabres' ongoing struggle to transform into a competitive franchise.