The Atlantic Division is perhaps the toughest in the NHL and, after years in the wilderness, the resurgent Buffalo Sabres are one reason why things are so rough on this side of the Eastern Conference.

Before last season, the Atlantic was dominated by the likes of the Panthers, Bruins, Lightning, and Maple Leafs — with Ottawa coming out of a rebuild with the Canadiens, Red Wings, and Sabres working their way up. 

Montreal broke through first in that bunch of rebuilders; the Sabres made it last year. 

Buffalo ended up moving all the way up the Atlantic to win the division with 109 points which ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history. 

The Sabres lost to Montreal in Game 7 of the second round after taking out Boston in Round 1. 

Expectations for the Sabres are no longer ‘some day soon, we hope.’  

They are ‘keep on winning.’ 

Jarmo Kekäläinen took over as GM in December after the Sabres got off to a disappointing start — but were showing signs of life. 

Buffalo, which was riding a three-game winning streak at the time of Kevyn Adams’ dismissal, kept things humming all the way to the top of the Atlantic. 

Following the end of the season, Kekäläinen did not sit still. 

FHN ATLANTIC DIVISION OFFSEASON GRADES

The former Columbus GM moved two key pieces who were not going to re-sign long-term and turned them into future assets and depth. 

Bowen Byram and Jordan Greenway went to Chicago for the No. 4 overall pick, a second-rounder, and big defenseman Louis Crevier. 

Days later, Alex Tuch signed with the Sabres before being sent to Washington for a 2027 third-rounder and the rights to David Kampf.

In the midst of it all, the Sabres locked up young winger Zach Bensonto a seven-year extension at $7.5 million AAV. Beck Malenstyn got a six-year deal. 

They also acquired Olen Zellweger from Anaheim and signed him to a three-year deal. Zellweger and Crevier are supposed to help fill the hole left by Byram. 

The rest of free agency was mostly depth moves — Conor Sheary, Dennis Gilbert, and a few two-way contracts. Peyton Krebs was re-signed for four years.

Goalie Devon Levi, who was acquired from the Panthers in the Sam Reinhart deal of 2022, was traded to Edmonton for a 2028 third-round pick. 

So, the Sabres did not make any earth-shattering moves, but did get younger and with a strong prospect pool, things are looking good in Buffalo. 

Will it be enough to keep up in the Atlantic which features the usual suspects including a Florida team that is healthy and ready to run? 

We shall see. 

But the Sabres are on the right track — and do not want to get off it after a fun ride in 2026. 

BUFFALO SABRES OFFSEASON

Key Additions: D Olen Zellweger (Trade-Anaheim); D Louis Crevier (T-Chicago); F Conor Sheary (FA-Rangers); D Dennis Gilbert (FA-Ottawa)

Key Subtractions: D Bowen Byram (T-Chicago); F Alex Tuch(T/UFA-Washington); F Jordan Greenway (T-Chicago); G Devon Levi (T-Edmonton)

The Big Move: Trading Byram for a third-round pick in a sign-and-trade with the Capitals. Yes, the Sabres did get something for a player who was leaving anyway, but there is a lot of scoring walking out the door.

The Big Gamble: Letting Tuch walk for relatively little return and betting that internal growth can replace the production and leadership lost.

Other Moves: Seven-year extension for Benson; four-year deal for Krebs; drafting high with the new picks.

The Grade: C. Buffalo may have improved its future while trying not to take a big step back in the present. Whether the young core takes the next leap will decide if this was a successful summer or just a necessary one.

ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS OFFSEASON