3 reasons why the Sabres' rebuild is inferior to the Maple Leafs'
While Buffalo and Toronto are geographically separated by just a 100-mile stretch of highway, the gap is a lot bigger in the hockey world.
Sure, both teams have struggled in seasons past, looking to use their down years to restock their prospect pools so each can re-establish themselves as beasts in the east, but the fact is one team has done a much better job of this than the other.
As it stands, the Maple Leafs are better positioned both now and for the future, and that's because when it has come to retooling the last couple years, Toronto has done it better.
Sabres got ahead of themselves
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The biggest flaw in the Sabres' rebuild has been the fact that the team got ahead of itself when it "earned" the right to draft Jack Eichel.
Though the team did all it could to tank for Connor McDavid in the 2015 draft, the hockey gods can be cruel. The lottery instead fell in Edmonton's favor, and the team had to settle for Eichel, who's certainly one hell of a consolation prize.
The team's problems started here.
After plucking Eichel, the team felt like it was set, subsequently acquiring Ryan O'Reilly and Jamie McGinn for two former first-round picks in Nikia Zadorov and Mikhail Grigorenko, NCAA standout J.T. Compher, and the No. 31 pick in the 2015 draft.
It was a large chunk of their prospect pool gone for two players - one who was then traded last season in McGinn. O'Reilly has been great with the Sabres - there's no denying that - but the team gave up a lot to get him, including a ton of youth that could have been better off developing in the team's system.
Maple Leafs have rid themselves of worst contracts
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While the Maple Leafs have been praised for the youngsters they've drafted the last three seasons, those selections wouldn't have been possible had the team not made the decision to rid itself of its biggest and most damaging contracts.
Starting two years ago, the team was able to deal Phil Kessel and the remaining seven years of his eight-year, $64-million contract to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Next - toward the conclusion of last season - they dumped Dion Phaneuf and the six years and $42 million remaining on his contract.
Then, this past offseason, the team was able to upgrade in goal by dealing Jonathan Bernier and his remaining $4.15 million and bringing in Frederik Andersen.
As for the Sabres, they've since inked O'Reilly to a seven-year, $52.5-million deal - though his value can be argued. However, that can't be said for everyone.
| Player | Years Remaining | $ Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| Evander Kane | 1 | $5.25M |
| Tyler Ennis | 2 | $9.2M |
| Matt Moulson | 2 | $10M |
| Zach Bogosian | 3 | $15.43M |
The four gentlemen are responsible for a total of $40 million in cap space over the next three years. Evander Kane is having a decent campaign with the Sabres and Kyle Okposo - who carries a $6-million cap hit for the next six years - can receive passes, but the same can't be said for the remaining three players.
In all, the Sabres have a handful of contracts with players whose values have dropped significantly. If they could deal or buy out a couple of these contracts they could either acquire young talent or use the money to better restock their roster.
Sabres' prospect pool doesn't touch Maple Leafs'
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Of course, where the biggest line can be draw between these two clubs is in regards to the talent of their respective top prospects.
Dating back to the 2014-15 season - when it can be argued both teams started their transition into rebuilding - the Maple Leafs have gotten the best out of their rookies, and for that appear better equipped for long-term success.
| Rank | Player | Team | Year | Points/ Points Projected This Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auston Matthews | Maple Leafs | 2017 | 67 |
| 2 | Mitch Marner | Maple Leafs | 2017 | 64 |
| 3 | William Nylander | Maple Leafs | 2017 | 63 |
| 4 | Jack Eichel | Sabres | 2016 | 56 |
| 5 | Sam Reinhart | Sabres | 2016 | 42 |
*The following three would be Connor Brown, Nikita Zaitsev, and Zach Hyman of the Maple Leafs
Of course, it goes without saying that the Sabres' first-round pick in last year's draft - Alexander Nylander - continues to ferment in the American Hockey League, currently with nine goals and 26 points in 58 games for the Rochester Americans, while Rasmus Ristolainen is quietly proving he could be in the running for a Norris Trophy in a few years' time.
All this is to say the Sabres' rebuild has been far from a failure, but in comparison to their inter-division rivals up north, they're a step behind.