I don't see what "culture" has to do with Ownership/Management treating the NHL team like a development team, developing prospects and young players for 5-7 years at the NHL level and then trading them away right as they start to hit their prime.
That's not a culture problem. It's idiotic roster management and construction.
The Bills allegedly have one of the best "cultures" in the NFL under the same owner. The difference is competent management and coaching.
Im going off what former players have said.
ROR - "Lost the love for the game." He mentioned feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, which contributed to his diminished enjoyment of the sport. This sentiment resonated with many, as it highlighted the impact of team dynamics on a player's mental health and love for the game. He mentioned feeling like he was "trapped" and that the environment wasn't conducive to his success.
Lehner - He talked about feeling lost and struggling with mental health issues during his time in Buffalo. Lehner expressed frustration with how he was treated and felt that the organization did not support him adequately. He emphasized the importance of mental health and spoke about the challenges he faced while trying to succeed in that environment.
Ullmark - He spoke about feeling unsupported during his time there, particularly regarding his mental health struggles. Lehner described a culture within the organization that made it difficult for him to thrive and indicated that he felt the Sabres did not prioritize player well-being. He emphasized the importance of mental health in sports and how the environment in Buffalo contributed to his struggles. His comments highlighted the need for better support systems within NHL organizations.
Bergland - He expressed frustration regarding his experience with the team, particularly about feeling mismanaged and not being given a fair chance. He mentioned a lack of communication and support, which contributed to his struggles while with the organization. Berglund's comments reflected broader issues he perceived within the team structure and management.
Mittlestadt - Not really negative towards the Sabres, but if we want to read it that way, "That's probably the most I've sweat in a morning skate in a long time."
Eichel - He expressed frustration about the organization's handling of his injuries, particularly regarding the decision-making around his neck surgery. Eichel felt that the Sabres did not prioritize his health and that communication with management was lacking. He also mentioned the challenges of being in a losing environment and how it affected his motivation and love for the game. His comments highlighted the difficulties he faced during his time in Buffalo and the disconnect he felt with the team's management.
Then we can dive into the clips weve seen in practice of Skinner not trying hard, Dahlin/Krebs fight, etc etc etc. All of this is more than management, who in their defense already is up against it with the weather and NYS taxes trying to bring in star players so therye left overpaying their home grown players to stay.
