The Sabres don't need a savior, but they'll take a generational talent

Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com


Retweeted from Vic Carrucci.

"Just met Connor McDavid... aka the savior of Buffalo hockey. Nice guy ... smart guy too -- 3.86 GPA."


One thing that bugs me is the use of the word "savior" in any way shape or form when it comes to sports. It brings back embarrassing memories (for the Buffalo Bills) of the parade they gave Drew Bledsoe when he came over from New England. That and recently the palms the city of Cleveland gave the self-proclaimed "Chosen One" for the Cavaliers. LeBron James, basketball phenom who was drafted by Cleveland, dubbed the savior, dumped the team and the city to win two championhips in Miami only to be welcomed back with open arms from a championship-starved city.

Bleh!!!!

I have nothing against the author of the tweet, snarkiness aside, save for the fact that regardless of whether junior phenom Connor McDavid lands in Buffalo, the Sabres are set up with a bounty of young prospects and solid young players to begin making noise as early as next season.


We know the list:  Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nikita Zadorov and the recently acquired Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian as well as players like Marcus Foligno and Phil Varone amongst others, who represent the young foundation of the team.

First-rounders and second-rounders are all over the Sabres system from Rochester defensemen Mark Pysyk and Jake McCabe, to 2014 second-overall pick Sam Reinhart plus a bevy of junior players ready to hit Rochester next season like JT Compher and Nicolas Baptiste. Potential surprises like Johan Larsson, Tim Schaller and Nick Deslauriers or even Mikhail Grigorekno who's off to a slow start but is still only 20 yrs. old.

The Sabres have also been able to attract genuine NHL'ers from the veteran ranks like Brian Gionta, Matt Moulson and Josh Gorges who will futher stabilize and teach the youngins.

So it's not like "the savior" to be is coming into a situation that's devoid of talent and/or a city that's unattractive to veteran free agents. McDavid or Jack Eichel will be surrounded by plenty of talent to the point where the fate of the franchise will not rest totally on their shoulders.

I don't believe in saviors. Nor should anyone else for that matter.

Yes, on occasion, a once in a generation player can lift a franchise up, but in a team sport, especially like hockey, there needs to be a strong support group.

So as we watch intently as Edmonton continues to lay eggs with three consecutive No. 1-overall picks on their roster and an Arizona team who will have very little to work with next season after stripping nearly all of their talent the past season and a half, rest assured that even if the Sabres picked 3rd-overall, it's not the end of the world.

Sure, who wouldn't want a once in a generation player or a consolation prize that's slightly below that? I am of that group.

But, please, ditch the savior thing.