We have a real holiday treat on deck for hockey fans as the last-place Canucks host the 29th place Sabres to win the 2025 “least embarrassing member of the 1970 NHL expansion class” award tonight in Vancouver.
The Sabres are coming off an extremely rare overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night and will look to make it two in a row against a Vancouver team that is drawing plenty of league interest in a potential Quinn Hughes trade. The Sabres, meanwhile, have many speculating as to the future of pending UFA Alex Tuch who would no doubt attract a large number of suitors at the trade deadline due to his modest $4.75m contract that could be made even more enticing if owner Terry Pegula is willing to retain some salary on the deal.
Kevyn Adams has not retained salary on outgoing traded players in recent years which has led fans to wonder if he’s financially bound by the owner to save money, or if he’s merely inept. Like most things in life, it’s likely that both things are true to some extent. And like every one of the five Kevyn Adams seasons before this, his sixth season at the helm of the team, Adams will likely find himself a seller at the deadline, assuming Pegula elects not to fire him.
What is there left to say about Adams? His rebuild has failed, his rebuilt rebuild has failed and he’s now on his third coach during his nearly six-year long stint. It’s insane to think that Terry Pegula needs to see anything else before firing Adams. This is a move that should have been made – at a minimum – 18 months ago when Adams was allowed to fire former head coach Don Granato. The only explanation that makes sense is that Pegula thinks this team is going to go on a massive run and make the playoffs. God love him. All of this is old news, though.
There is some fresher news as Josh Norris missed the Edmonton game with illness and an injury tweak sustained during pregame warmup. In the intervening time, and perhaps as a result, Adams has signed 24-year-old Buffalo native Trevor Kuntar to a two-way NHL/AHL deal. A former 3rd round pick of the Bruins, Kuntar has 13 points in 24 games for the Americans. Kuntar will join Isak Rosen who was recalled Tuesday following the announcement that Jason Zucker will be out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
It’s a little bizarre that the Sabres opted to sign Kuntar rather than elevate first-round pick Konsta Helenius who has 23 points in 25 games, but most things the Sabres do are bizarre so it’s best not to read too much into them.
Unfortunately, goaltender Colten Ellis has been placed on injured reserve due to a concussion, so it’ll either be UPL or Alex Lyon between the pipes tonight. Puck drop is set for 10 pm eastern.