Buffalo jumped 30 points from 14-15 to 15-16. Drafted Eichel, traded for O'Reilly, had Kane from the year before but he was healthy and played his first game in Buffalo. Top players, 24, 18, 19, 20, 24. Things looked up. Then they dipped their hand into the 2016 free agent class, possibly doing that sort of move too early, and Okposo has been a disaster for one reason or another. Things got worse in 17-18, and had to get rid of Kane. Then got Skinner last year, for a couple mid level picks. Then gave him another disaster contract.
They've got some things in their favor. Eichel is good. They have a ton of UFA's that they can easily let walk, or trade soon if anyone wants any of them. Not a total clean slate to work with, but room to do something if you can get creative. The Skinner and Okposo contracts will be an issue though. Those two likely cancel out the cap room the UFA's make. They also desperately need a goalie, but if they have something in Johansson, that would go a long way, since he probably won't be too expensive to re-sign. Fix the defense. They need depth up front, but, those 2 disaster contracts are roadblocks.
Unlike in Edmonton, there's no 2nd Eichel in Buffalo to help mask the lack of offensive depth. Reinhart is good, but not that good.
From where they are today, there doesn't seem to be a clear path for them. I'm sure they could trade Ristolainen for something, but what? Hope Skinner gets back to 25+ goals? Find some more Olofsson's? Then there's the ever present Eichel questions. How mad is he? How much does he want out today, next week, next month, next year? A lottery win would help.
