Sabres' Brotherhood Makes an Impact On and Off the Ice
While the Buffalo Sabres’ record so far has been a mix of highs and lows there is one thing that continues to stand out – the genuine connection between players in the locker room. Earlier this month, defenseman Louis Crevier, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks this summer as part of the Bowen Byram trade, cited feeling at home in the city and the locker room as part of his motivation behind signing a 4-year extension, saying “it’s just a feeling thing”. This ‘feeling’ may prove to be a key feature of Buffalo’s success this season.
Provided they can iron out their consistency issues and goaltending uncertainty, having a positive culture in the locker room could prove differential in a league where other teams are dealing with rumours of toxic personalities and a lack of leadership.
This has been a notable shift from previous eras where the team dealt with rumours about frustration and uncertainty in the locker room and within the organization more broadly, infamously leading to star forward Jack Eichel’s departure. As the playoff drought grew longer, there were increasing questions about players commitment to the organization and belief in its direction. Clearly, there is a different message out there today. In October, forward Zach Benson shared, “The vibe’s good… We have all the confidence in the world in this room.”
The culture shift and growing chemistry have been an advantage for the Sabres both on the ice and in front office. Jack Quinn’s fight against Toronto’s Troy Stecher on Thursday – only the second of his NHL career – was a perfect example of a player stepping up for himself (securing a Gordie Howe hat trick) and the team. Post-game, Coach Lindy Ruff emphasize the importance of these moments saying, “It does a lot [for the bench]… there’s moments inside of a season, inside of a game, that you got to use to help build energy, build the camaraderie of the team. That was a moment for it.” It’s also evident in the style of play, with players up and down the lines coming together to contribute to wins, particularly with Norris-finalist defenseman and captain Rasmus Dahlin out with an injury.
This has created an enticing environment both for potential new players and those looking to re-sign, particularly given last season’s successful playoff run. The that’s been established means that new players know what to expect in the locker room when they arrive and helps the rest of the team adapt and stay solid in the face of adversity like injuries and trades. When longtime Sabre Bowen Byram was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks this summer, the team rallied behind new defenseman Olen Zellweger, who is playing almost 20 minutes per game and put up two points in last week’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. The organization is also prioritizing players who have made a real commitment to being a lasting part of the team. Noah Östlund signed an 8-year extension in September, and has been averaging 18:53 TOI/GP since, almost five minutes more than last season. Rather than attempting to hold on to players with one foot out the door, the organization is building around the culture of brotherhood that is already well-established in the locker room.
It’s become increasingly clear around the league that having genuine connections in the locker room creates a competitive advantage. Montreal, for example, became known last season as one of the most tight knit groups around the league, before going on one of their deepest playoff runs in the last decade. On the other hand, over the past couple years the Vancouver Canucks suffered from an infamously toxic locker room culture that resulted in the eventual departure of star defenseman Quinn Hughes and Olympic gold medal winner J.T. Miller.
The Buffalo Sabres’ have clearly recognized that culture is an integral component of building a competitive hockey team, and have managed to do so in a way that hasn't created barriers to roster building. If the team, and its players, are able to continue fostering such a positive environment and translate it into more consistent results on the ice, they may have found this year's recipe for success.
Comments