The Buffalo Sabres will miss the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season, and fans might end up supporting another team for part of the year. This is where the fun of pro sports comes in—fans can be “rentals” too.
If your team is no longer in contention or seems to be heading that way, you can always jump on board with another team for a while and return to your own in October. However, not all players have that option. If they’re dissatisfied with their current situation and didn’t get traded at the deadline, they’re stuck where they are.
Sure, they can try to hold out, but for all practical purposes, they’re still a part of their team until management decides otherwise. Fortunately for the Sabres, despite their struggles, one star player isn’t ready to leave the city just yet, despite a recent report suggesting otherwise.
One star Sabres player looks like he’s raring to stick around
While the Sabres bid farewell to Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and Henri Jokiharju, others are sticking around, which suggests Buffalo can’t be that bad of a place to be. Just look at Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker for some reassurance.
Another player who made a long-term commitment is Rasmus Dahlin, despite a recent claim on the Spittin’ Chiclets Podcast that he wanted out of Buffalo. Dahlin’s response? “I have never said I want out of here. I’m not happy with where we’re at, I don’t want to lose. We have to get better. I’ve never said I want out of here, I thought that was pretty clear.”
“That bugs me, actually. I get [ticked] off by that. I haven’t even mentioned the word ‘leave.’ That’s just how it is.
I’d go as far as to say that no one in the Sabres organization—whether a fan, player, coach, or front-office member—is happy right now. In fact, those connected to the Blue and Gold have probably been frustrated for quite some time.
But that doesn’t mean you just walk away, and Dahlin, who’s been with the team since his rookie season, understands that. Despite the franchise’s struggles, he seems determined and eager to help turn things around.
Here’s a fact: The Buffalo Sabres will miss the playoffs for a 14th straight season, and fans may find themselves getting behind another team for at least a portion of the season. That’s right, fans can be ‘rentals,’ too, and that’s the beauty of pro sports.
If your team is out of the running or is heading in that direction, just follow someone else for a finite time and come back in October. But not all players have that luxury. If they’re unhappy with their current situation and they didn’t go elsewhere at the deadline, then guess what? They’re stuck.
Yeah, they can hold out, but they’re still, for all intents and purposes, a member of their respective organization until management says otherwise. Luckily for the Sabres, as bad as they’ve been, one star player isn’t ready to leave town just yet, despite a recent report.
One star Sabres player looks like he’s raring to stick around
While the Sabres said goodbye to Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and Henri Jokiharju, others are staying in town and that means Buffalo can’t be that bad of a place, right? Look at Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker if you want further confirmation.
Another player who signed an extension, this one a while back, is Rasmus Dahlin, despite a recent report on the Spittin’ Chiclets Podcast claiming he wanted out of Buffalo. Dahlin’s response? “I have never said I want out of here. I’m not happy (with) where we’re at, I don’t want to lose. We have to get better. I’ve never said I want out of here, I thought that was pretty clear.
Yeah, I’d go as far as to say nobody in the Sabres organization, whether they’re a fan, player, coach, or in the front office, is happy right now. I’d even say those tied to the Blue and Gold in one way, shape, or form have been just plain mad for a while now.
But, it doesn’t mean you just get up and walk away, and Dahlin, who’s been here since his rookie season, is aware of that. And, despite this franchise’s shortcomings, he seems ready and raring to go and get this thing turned around.
The Sabres have a real trooper in Rasmus Dahlin and fans should be grateful
No, the Sabres aren’t going anywhere this season and it’s a book Dahlin’s read since he arrived in the City of Good Neighbors. If there’s anyone you can’t blame for wanting to leave Buffalo, it’s Dahlin, but it’s clear that he’s not complaining, despite the team’s woes.
And really, it’s been a steady decline in Buffalo since they nearly made the playoffs in 2022-23 after finishing the year with 91 points. That number dropped last season to 84 points, and it would take a miracle right now to even reach 80 at the rate the team’s going.
Sure, Dahlin has made it clear that there’s a real sense of urgency in Buffalo and that he’d be lying if he stood there and pretended everything was fine within the organization. It’s not, but just because things aren’t going his way, it doesn’t mean he’s willing to fold and take the easy way out.
Sabres fans must be grateful that they have a star player in Dahlin who, at this point, seems willing to take on this insurmountable challenge. It shows a lot of his true character, and right now, it’s something this organization needs help keep things from getting too out of hand.
Leave a Reply