The Buffalo Sabres entered the 2038-39 PSHL season as a team looking to have a chance at a high lottery pick. They unloaded all their veteran talent and signed a bunch of goons in an attempt to finish near the bottom of the standings. So far, things have not worked as planned as the Sabres sit with a current record of 11-12-3. Not nearly good enough to challenge for a playoff spot, but not anywhere close to the bottom dwelling teams in the PSHL.

It continues to be the Sabres young talented top line that is keeping them from competing for 1st overall pick. Rasim Nikitenko, Yevgeny Mikhaltsev and Riley Cameron continue to put up points and their stud goalie Henri Alanne continues to keep the Sabres in games. It is becoming more clear that maybe this team is just too good to finish at the bottom of the league. The Sabres will continue to work towards the future, they have tons of young talent in the organization mostly coming from their 5 1st round picks from the 2038 draft. Sabres may not be competing for a top pick in 2039 draft but they still have high hopes to build around this youth and compete for a cup a few seasons from now.

The Sabres, a two time Shafer Cup Champion franchise, are in the midst of an identity crisis. As the Sabres enter the 2037-38 PSHL Season, they are stuck in-between being a competitive team and not being bad enough to get a top pick in the draft. There is still star power here with Matt Ruopp and Evan Arnott, but they are transitioning to youth. The 2 top wingers on the top line project to be rookies with Riley Cameron and Yevgeny Mikhaltsev along with a young starting goalie in Henri Alanne.

Mikhaltsev is coming off a season where he broke the PSHL AHL goal scoring record with 49 goals and 96 points. While Alanne looks to be a franchise goalie they have some good young pieces looking to be given a chance to break out.

On the other hand Ruopp, who is still only 24 himself, is coming off a 95 point season his first year in Buffalo, however there has been trade talks surrounding him as he enters the last year of his contract. As one of the premier two way centers in the game he will demand a high salary and high return if he were to be moved.

Arnott has put up 55+ points in all 4 seasons in Buffalo but if the team were going to go full rebuild, Arnott doesnt seem to fit into those plans.

All in all, it looks to be a long season in Buffalo as the team transitions to the younger players and there continues to be question marks around whether Arnott and Ruopp will be moved ahead of the trade deadline.