Editing Buffalo Sabres (section)

===The Pegula era (2010–present)===
[[File:Terry Pegula 2015.jpg|thumb|upright|On February 18, 2011, the sale of the Sabres franchise to [[Terrence Pegula]] was finalized.]]
On November 30, 2010, Ken Campbell of ''[[The Hockey News]]'' reported a story that billionaire [[Terry Pegula]] had signed a letter of intent to purchase the Sabres for US$150&nbsp;million. Pegula was the founder, president and CEO of [[East Resources]], one of the largest privately held companies in the United States before he sold the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36744-THNcom-Blog-Explaining-the-potential-Sabres-sale.html |title=Ken Campbell's blog: THN.com Blog: Explaining the potential Sabres sale |work=The Hockey News |access-date=March 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717004842/http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/36744-THNcom-Blog-Explaining-the-potential-Sabres-sale.html |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> After the report was released, Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn claimed it was "untrue" but refused further comment.<ref>{{cite web|author=Luke Moretti Posted by: Emily Lenihan |url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Report-Billionaire-aims-to-buy-Sabres |title=Report: Billionaire aims to buy Sabres |publisher=WIVB.com |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109132000/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Report-Billionaire-aims-to-buy-Sabres |archive-date=January 9, 2011}}</ref> The $150&nbsp;million was later determined to be an undervalued amount, as ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine had valued the team at just under $170&nbsp;million in 2010. In December, Pegula officially expressed interest in buying the Sabres for $170&nbsp;million and submitted a letter of intent to the NHL. In January, Golisano reportedly issued a counteroffer with an asking price of US$175&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/12/sabres-price-tag-175-million.html |title=Sabres Edge – Blogs – The Buffalo News |publisher=Blogs.buffalonews.com |date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206010307/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2010/12/sabres-price-tag-175-million.html |archive-date=December 6, 2010}}</ref> Pegula and Golisano reached an agreement to sell the team on January 29, 2011, with Pegula purchasing the team for $189&nbsp;million ($175&nbsp;million with $14&nbsp;million in debt included) with the Sabres and Golisano officially making an announcement in a press conference on February 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/02/03/sabres-owner-turned-down-earlier-sale-offer/|title=Sabres owner turned down earlier sale offer|newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=February 3, 2011|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> NHL owners approved the sale on February 18.<ref>{{cite web |author=Wawrow, John |url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/NHL-approves-sale-of-Sabres-to-Pegula |title=Pegula set to take over Sabres |publisher=Wivb.com |access-date=March 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220054717/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/NHL-approves-sale-of-Sabres-to-Pegula |archive-date=February 20, 2011}}</ref>

In the conference, it was stated that an unnamed bidder submitted a much higher bid than Pegula's, but made the bid contingent upon moving the team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Golisano turned down higher bid for Sabres |url=http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Golisano-turned-down-higher-bid-for-Sabres |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205085231/http://www.wivb.com/dpp/sports/sabres_and_nhl/Golisano-turned-down-higher-bid-for-Sabres|url-status=dead|date=February 3, 2011 |archive-date=February 5, 2011}}</ref> The description is consistent with that of [[Jim Balsillie]], who has made public his efforts to move a team to [[Hamilton, Ontario]], a move the Sabres have actively opposed. Terry Pegula named former Pittsburgh Penguins executive [[Ted Black]] to be team president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article349065.ece|title=Team looking forward to executive decisions|work=Buffalo News|access-date=February 23, 2011}}</ref> Pegula was introduced as the Sabres' owner in a public ceremony at [[KeyBank Center|HSBC Arena]] on February 23, accompanied by what would be the final appearance of all three members of The French Connection before Rick Martin's death three weeks later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailynewsonline.com/terry-pegula-with-french-connection/article_06d5137c-c1e8-536d-87a0-ed753911ab61.html|title=Terry Pegula with French Connection|newspaper=The Daily News|date=March 13, 2011|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> Around the 2010–11 trade deadline, the team attempted to trade Craig Rivet, but was unsuccessful. After initially clearing waivers, Rivet entered re-entry waivers and was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/blue-jackets-claim-craig-rivet-off-waivers-1.1109101|title=Blue Jackets claim Craig Rivet off waivers|via=The Associated Press|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=February 26, 2011|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> Late on February 27, the team acquired [[Brad Boyes]] from the [[St. Louis Blues]] in exchange for a second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=6166050|title=Sabres acquire sniper Brad Boyes|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=February 27, 2011|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> This was the Sabres' sole trade of the deadline. After Pegula's official takeover of the team, the Sabres finished the regular season 16–4–4, never losing two consecutive games in that span, and landed the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/miller-shutout-sabres-canadiens-game-story/|title=Miller stops 34 as Sabres shutout Canadiens|via=The Associated Press|publisher=Rogers Media|date=March 22, 2011|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> Pegula's approach was credited by players, fans and the public with bringing new energy to the team, sparking a run to the playoffs that seemed improbable only months earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nhl/news/buffalo-sabres-turn-around-under-new-owner-terry-pegula|title=Buffalo Sabres turn-around under new owner Terry Pegula|last=Reitz|first=Matt|publisher=NBCUniversal|date=March 30, 2011|website=NBCSports.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> On April 8, the Sabres clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 in overtime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/vanek-scores-in-ot-sabres-clinch-playoff-berth/|title=Sabres Clinch Playoff Berth With OT Win Over Flyers|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=April 8, 2011|website=CBSNews.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> The Sabres clinched the seventh seed and faced Philadelphia in the first round. The Sabres had a three games to two lead but lost the series in seven games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/27/sports/hockey/27nhl.html|title=Briere Helps Flyers Oust the Sabres|last=Klein|first= Jeff Z.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 26, 2011|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

====Playoff drought====
The Sabres began the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]] as part of the [[2011 NHL Premiere]] series for the first time, playing games in Finland and Germany. The team was particularly well-received during a game against [[Adler Mannheim]] in [[Mannheim]], the hometown of Sabres forward [[Jochen Hecht]]; a contingent of 65 Adler fans traveled from Germany to Buffalo in February 2012 to witness a Sabres game against the Boston Bruins.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kulyk|first=Andrew|date=February 9, 2012|url=http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/2012/02/09/the-mannheim-fans-land-in-buffalo/|title=The Mannheim fans land in Buffalo|work=Artvoice|access-date=February 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323105254/http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/2012/02/09/the-mannheim-fans-land-in-buffalo/|archive-date=March 23, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to the first game, Lindy Ruff named Jason Pominville the Sabres' 13th full-time captain in team history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sabres name Pominville as captain|url=http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2011/10/sabres-name-pominville-as-captain.html|access-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617155926/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2011/10/sabres-name-pominville-as-captain.html|archive-date=June 17, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Sabres began the season relatively strong but collapsed after a Boston Bruins game in which Bruins forward [[Milan Lucic]] hit and injured goaltender Ryan Miller;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/nhl/story/_/id/7235003/boston-bruins-milan-lucic-suspended-ryan-miller-hit|title=Bruins' Milan Lucic won't be suspended|last=McDonald|first=Joe|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=November 14, 2011|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> the subsequent months saw the Sabres collapse to last place in the Eastern Conference. Despite a two-month rally that began in February along with the emergence of rookie forward [[Marcus Foligno]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2012/03/28/sabres-turnaround-could-be-historic|title=Sabres' turnaround could be historic|last=Hackel|first=Stu|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=March 28, 2012|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref> the Sabres lost the last two games of the regular season and fell three points short of a playoff spot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/05/08/sabres-just-miss-playoff-spot/|title=Sabres just miss playoff spot|via=Reuters|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=May 8, 2012|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Jason Pominville 2013-02-17.JPG|thumb|upright|left|[[Jason Pominville]] was named the 13th Sabres team captain before the start of the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]].]]
The [[2012–13 NHL lockout]] eliminated the first part of the [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]], which ultimately began with a scheduled 48 games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Kevin|title=NHL schedule released, features 48 games in 99 days|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/01/12/nhl-schedule-48-games/1829661/|work=USA Today Sports|access-date=February 14, 2013|date=January 12, 2013}}</ref> After a 6–10–1 start to the season, the contract of long-time head coach Lindy Ruff was terminated by general manager Darcy Regier on February 20, 2013, ending 16 seasons as head coach. Ruff was replaced by [[Ron Rolston]] first on an interim basis, then permanently after the season ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Name-Ron-Rolston-as-Interim-Head-Coach/15580575|title=Sabres Name Ron Rolston As Interim Head Coach|publisher=[[WGR]]|access-date=February 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116204543/http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Name-Ron-Rolston-as-Interim-Head-Coach/15580575|archive-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/sabres-to-name-rolston-permanent-head-coach/article_0d16fa0b-acf8-557d-95c2-7261c2070e59.html|title=Sabres to name Rolston permanent head coach|newspaper=Niagara-Gazette|date=May 7, 2013|accessdate=March 31, 2025}}</ref> In the days leading up to it, the Sabres were active in trades. On March 15, the Sabres' first trade sent [[T. J. Brennan]] to the [[Florida Panthers]] in exchange for a fifth-round pick (originally owned by the [[Los Angeles Kings]]) in the [[2013 NHL entry draft|2013 draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/15/trade-sabres-send-d-man-tj-brennan-to-florida/ |title=Trade: Sabres send d-man TJ Brennan to Florida &#124; ProHockeyTalk |date=March 16, 2013 |publisher=Prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com |access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref> On March 30, the Sabres traded [[Jordan Leopold]] to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=662953&navid=nhl:topheads | title = Blues get Leopold in trade with Sabres | publisher=[[National Hockey League]] | date =March 30, 2013 | access-date =March 30, 2013}}</ref> On April 1, the Sabres traded [[Robyn Regehr]] to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for two-second round draft choices (one in [[2014 NHL entry draft|2014]] and the other in [[2015 NHL entry draft|2015]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130401/SPORTS/130409918/1004|title=Sabres send Regehr to Kings – Sports|work=The Buffalo News|access-date=January 16, 2014|archive-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234647/http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130401/SPORTS/130409918/1004|url-status=dead}}</ref> The final trade came on the day of the trade deadline, April 3, where the Sabres sent Jason Pominville to the [[Minnesota Wild]] for [[Johan Larsson (ice hockey, born 1992)|Johan Larsson]] and [[Matt Hackett]]. At the time of the official announcement, it was not clear if there were other parts of the deal as the trade was still pending NHL approval.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130403/SPORTS/130409776/1109 |title=Sabres trade captain Pominville to Minnesota Wild – Sports |work=The Buffalo News |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-date=December 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002723/http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130403/SPORTS/130409776/1109 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later revealed that draft picks were also involved in the deal: the Wild would receive a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft, and the Sabres would receive a first-round pick in the 2013 draft and a second-round pick in the 2014 draft.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/04/03/jason-pominville-trade-buffalo-sabres-minnesota-wild/2050735/|title=Buffalo Sabres trade Jason Pominville to Minnesota Wild|via=The Associated Press|date=April 3, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

The [[2013–14 NHL season|following season]], on November 13, 2013, the team dismissed general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston.<ref name="RolstonFired">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/nhl/story/_/id/9970624/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-ron-rolston-general-manager-darcy-regier|title=Sabres fire Ron Rolston, Darcy Regier|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=November 13, 2013|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=March 31, 2025}}</ref> Former Sabres head coach Ted Nolan was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season (he later signed a three-year contract extension) and [[Pat LaFontaine]] was named president of hockey operations.<ref name="RolstonFired"/> On January 9, 2014, [[Tim Murray (ice hockey, born 1963)|Tim Murray]] was named general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/tim-murray-hired-as-new-sabres-gm-facing-major-decisions-right-away/|title=Tim Murray hired as new Sabres GM, facing major decisions right away|last=Stubits|first=Brian|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=January 9, 2014|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=March 31, 2025}}</ref> On February 28, 2014, Murray made his first major trade, sending star goaltender Ryan Miller and captain [[Steve Ott]] to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for goaltender [[Jaroslav Halák|Jaroslav Halak]], forwards [[Chris Stewart (ice hockey, born 1987)|Chris Stewart]] and [[William Carrier (ice hockey)|William Carrier]] and two draft picks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/ryan-miller-traded-to-st-louis-blues-in-blockbuster-deal/|title=Ryan Miller traded to St. Louis Blues in blockbuster deal|last=Peters|first=Chris|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=February 28, 2014|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> After just over three months as president of hockey operations, Pat LaFontaine resigned from the Sabres to return to his previous position with the NHL on March 1, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/10538845/pat-lafontaine-resigns-buffalo-sabres-president-hockey-operations|title=Pat LaFontaine resigns from Sabres|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=March 1, 2014|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 1, 2014}}</ref> Among highlights in the otherwise bad 2013–14 season included the "butt goal" in which a severely short-staffed Sabres won their December 23 contest against the Phoenix Coyotes when Coyotes goaltender [[Mike Smith (ice hockey, born 1982)|Mike Smith]] backed into his [[own goal]] with the puck lodged in his pants,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2013/12/24/mike-smith-butt-goal|title=Mike Smith's 'Butt Goal' Will Surely Go Down in Infamy|last=Treadway|first=Dan|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=December 24, 2013|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> and the lone NHL appearance of former [[Lancaster High School (New York)|Lancaster High School]] goaltender [[Ryan Vinz]], who was working as a videographer in the Sabres organization, to suit up as a backup goaltender in the wake of the Ryan Miller trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/sabres-call-on-emergency-backup-goalie-after-ryan-miller-trade/|title=Sabres call on emergency backup goalie after Ryan Miller trade|last=Peters|first=Chris|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=February 28, 2014|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> The Sabres finished the 2013–14 season last in the NHL and again missed the playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/tsn-ca-s-2014-15-nhl-season-preview-buffalo-sabres-1.85803|title=TSN.ca's 2014-15 NHL Season Preview: Buffalo Sabres|publisher=Bell Media|date=September 7, 2014|website=TSN.ca|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Jack Eichel - Buffalo Sabres.jpg|thumb|upright|The Sabres selected [[Jack Eichel]] with the second overall pick in the [[2015 NHL entry draft]].]]
Despite winning two more games than the previous season, the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]] was much like the previous one, with the team sitting near the bottom of the standings the entire season, and finishing last in the NHL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewkory/2015/03/25/tanking-buffalo-sabres-connor-mcdavid-jack-eichel-draft-losing/|title=The Buffalo Sabres Are Truly Terrible On Purpose But Sadly It Might Not Matter|last=Kory|first=Matthew|date=March 25, 2015|website=[[Forbes]]|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> On March 26, 2015, during a 4–3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes, spectators at the game, ostensibly fans of the Sabres, cheered after a game-winning goal by Coyotes center [[Sam Gagner]]. Said fans were more eager to see the team lose (the Sabres and Coyotes were 29th and 30th in the standings at the time) in the hopes that it would ensure the team would deliberately lose to finish in last place and guarantee a top-two pick in the [[2015 NHL entry draft]], which included two extremely highly touted prospects, [[Connor McDavid]] and [[Jack Eichel]]. These spectators' "embrace the [[match fixing|tank]]" philosophy led to criticism from the media and Sabres players for how the fans reacted.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=759960|title=Sabres unhappy after fans cheer Gagner's winning goal in OT that gives Coyotes 4–3 win|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=May 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/sabres-fans-cheer-coyotes-ot-win-in-buffalo-1.3012014|title=Sabres fans cheer Coyotes' OT win in Buffalo|last=Campigotto|first=Jesse|publisher=CBC/Radio-Canada|date=March 27, 2015|website=CBC.ca|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> The Sabres clinched last place with a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 10 and got the second pick in the draft which they used to select Eichel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2015-nhl-draft-sabres-select-jack-eichel-with-no-2-pick/|title=2015 NHL Draft: Sabres select Jack Eichel with No. 2 pick|last=Peters|first=Chris|publisher=CBS Broadcasting Inc.|date=June 26, 2015|website=CBSSports.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> Murray fired Nolan at the end of the season, citing a lack of chemistry between them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/12676102/buffalo-sabres-fire-ted-nolan-coach|title=Last-place Sabres fire coach Ted Nolan|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=April 12, 2015|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> On May 28, 2015, [[Dan Bylsma]] was hired as the 17th head coach in franchise history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/sabres/2015/05/28/buffalo-sabres-hire-ex-penguins-coach-dan-bylsma/28088795/|title=Buffalo Sabres hire ex-Penguins coach Dan Bylsma|via=The Associated Press|newspaper=USA Today|date=May 28, 2015|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref>

The hiring of Bylsma, the drafting of Eichel and 2014 second overall pick [[Sam Reinhart]], the acquisition of star centerman [[Ryan O'Reilly]] in the off-season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/13156263/colorado-avalanche-trade-ryan-oreilly-buffalo-sabres|title=Avs trade Ryan O'Reilly, Jamie McGinn to Sabres in youth movement|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=June 26, 2015|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref> and the rising performance of youngsters [[Zemgus Girgensons]], [[Jake McCabe]] and [[Rasmus Ristolainen]] resulted in an improved season in [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]]. Even though the Sabres again missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, the team managed to finish just under .500 in points percentage with a 27-point improvement over the previous season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/columnist/roth/2017/02/20/roth-february-turnaround-has-sabres-knocking-playoff-door/98155246/|title=Turnaround has Sabres knocking on playoff door|last=Roth|first=Leo|newspaper=Democrat & Chronicle|date=February 20, 2017|accessdate=April 1, 2025}}</ref>

In mid-2016, the team announced that its television broadcasts would be spun off to their own [[regional sports network]], [[MSG Western New York]]. The new network continues to operate under the MSG banner but under [[Pegula Sports and Entertainment]] control and features additional programs centered around the Sabres and the Buffalo Bills, which the Pegulas purchased separately in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/06/24/msg-networks-pegula-sports-and-entertainment-ink-long-term-buffalo-sabres-rights-deal/|title=MSG Networks, Pegula Sports and Entertainment Ink Long-term Buffalo Sabres Rights Deal|publisher=Sports Video Group|date=June 24, 2016|website=SVG.org|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> The team failed to make significant progress, and in fact slightly regressed, in 2016–17, missing the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season, leading to the firings of both head coach Dan Bylsma and general manager Tim Murray on April 20, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last=Perez |first=A. J. |title=Buffalo Sabres fire coach Dan Bylsma, GM Tim Murray |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2017/04/20/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-dan-bylsma-gm-tim-murray/100690748/ |newspaper=USA Today|date=April 20, 2017|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Phil Housley 2017-11-14 2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Phil Housley]] during the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]]. Housley was named the Sabres' head coach the preceding off-season. He would be fired following the [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19 season]].]]
During the 2017 off-season, the Sabres hired two of their former players as head coach and general manager: [[Jason Botterill]] as general manager and [[Phil Housley]] as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19357485/buffalo-sabres-hire-jason-botterill-pittsburgh-penguins-general-manager|title=Seeking structure, Sabres hire Jason Botterill as GM|via=The Associted Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=May 11, 2017|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2017/06/15/sabres-hire-predators-phil-housley-head-coach/392913001/|title=Sabres hire Predators' Phil Housley as head coach|last=Vingan|first=Adam|newspaper=The Tennessean|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> Among the more notable roster changes for this season was the return of former scoring leader Jason Pominville to the team in a trade that brought him and defenseman [[Marco Scandella]] to Buffalo in exchange for sending forwards [[Tyler Ennis (ice hockey)|Tyler Ennis]] and Marcus Foligno to the Minnesota Wild.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/19774941/minnesota-wild-acquire-tyler-ennis-marcus-foligno-trade-buffalo-sabres|title=Sabres acquire Jason Pominville, Marco Scandella from Wild|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=June 30, 2017|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

In the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], the Sabres participated in the [[2018 NHL Winter Classic|2018 Winter Classic]], losing 3–2 in overtime to the [[New York Rangers]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Battaglino |first1=Mike |title=Miller overtime goal lifts Rangers past Sabres in Winter Classic |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-rangers-buffalo-sabres-game-recap/c-294559736 |website=NHL.com |date=January 1, 2018 |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> Buffalo finished in last place in the NHL for the third time in five seasons and won the draft lottery for the [[2018 NHL entry draft]] for the first time since 1987, using the pick to select [[Rasmus Dahlin]] from [[Frölunda HC|Frolunda HC]] of the [[Swedish Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/23878724/buffalo-sabres-select-swedish-defenseman-rasmus-dahlin-first-overall-pick-nhl-draft|title=Sabres make Rasmus Dahlin first overall pick; Hurricanes take Andrei Svechnikov at No. 2|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=June 22, 2018|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

On November 27, 2018, the Sabres became the first team in NHL history to lead the league in points after the first 25 games of the [[2018–19 NHL season|season]] after finishing last in the league the previous season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25396763/buffalo-sabres-make-history-worst-first-run|title=Sabres move to first, make history after last-place finish in 2017–18|last=Kaplan|first=Emily|date=November 28, 2018|publisher=ESPN|access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> The team won 10 games in a row for the first time since the 2006–07 season and tied the franchise record.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lysowski |first1=Lance |title=Sabres tie franchise record with 10th win in a row |url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/11/27/the-wraparound-sabres-3-sharks-2-ot/ |website=The Buffalo News |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=November 27, 2018 |quote=...for the third 10-game winning streak in franchise history and first since 2006–07. |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223909/https://buffalonews.com/2018/11/27/the-wraparound-sabres-3-sharks-2-ot/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Jeff Skinner]] became the seventh player in franchise history to score 20 or more goals in less than 27 games, and only the second player to score 20 goals before December.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bove |first1=Matt |title=5 Observations: Panthers top Sabres 3–2 in OT |url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/5-observations-panthers-top-sabres-3-2-in-ot |website=WKBW |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> The team then collapsed and missed the playoffs, leading to Housley's firing at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sabres relieve Housley of coaching duties |url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-relieve-housley-of-coaching-duties/c-306525442 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 8, 2019 |date=April 7, 2019}}</ref>

On March 21, 2019, it was announced that the Sabres would play the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in the 2019 NHL Global Series at [[Ericsson Globe]] in [[Stockholm]], Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Series games announced |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-global-series-games-announced/c-305921940 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 1, 2019 |date=March 21, 2019}}</ref> [[Ralph Krueger]] was named the Sabres head coach in May 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26750341/sabres-hire-krueger-housley-replacement|title=Sabres hire Krueger as Housley's replacement|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=May 14, 2019|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

In the [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]], the Lightning defeated the Sabres 5–3 in the Global Series on November 9, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/victor-hedman-scores-in-return-to-sweden-lightning-sweep-sabres-in-nhl-global-series|title=Victor Hedman scores in return to Sweden, Lightning sweep Sabres in NHL Global Series|publisher=Fox Media LLC and Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC|date=November 9, 2019|website=FoxSports.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> The team traded a draft pick for [[Jimmy Vesey]] and during the season traded Scandella for a draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/27096797/sabres-acquire-forward-vesey-rangers|title=Sabres acquire forward Vesey from Rangers|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 1, 2019|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28412030/sabres-trade-marco-scandella-montreal-acquire-flames-michael-frolik|title=Sabres trade Marco Scandella to Montreal, acquire Flames' Michael Frolik|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=January 2, 2020|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> Even with 24 teams making the expanded playoffs due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Sabres finished with a 30–31–8 record and missed the postseason for the ninth consecutive season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/buffalo-sabres-season-comes-to-an-end-playoff-drought-continues|title=Buffalo Sabres season comes to an end, playoff drought continues|last=Bove|first=Matt|publisher=Scripps Local Media|date=May 26, 2020|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

On June 16, 2020, despite [[Kim Pegula]]'s vote of confidence three weeks prior, Botterill was fired and replaced by [[Kevyn Adams]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2020/06/16/buffalo-sabres-fire-gm-jason-botterill/3197993001/|title=Pegulas fire Sabres GM Jason Botterill, plus Amerks GM Randy Sexton and coach Chris Taylor|last=Maiorana|first=Sal|newspaper=Democrat & Chronicle|date=June 16, 2020|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

On March 17, 2021, in the midst on a twelve-game losing streak, head coach Ralph Krueger was fired.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buffalo Sabres fire coach Ralph Krueger after 12-game skid|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31080330/buffalo-sabres-fire-coach-ralph-krueger-12-game-skid|website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 22, 2021 |date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> [[Don Granato]] was named interim head coach. After continuing to lose games, on March 29, 2021, the Sabres tied the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]' all-time NHL losing streak of 18 games from the 2003–04 season after blowing a 3–0 lead in the third period against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] and subsequently losing in overtime; it is the longest losing streak since the shootout was introduced.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/sports/hockey/sabres-losing-streak-ends.html|title=The Sabres' Losing Streak Ends at 18|last=Knoll|first=Andrew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 1, 2021|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> Granato was named the full-time head coach at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-sabres-don-granato-hockey-nhl-sports-d9b009d6afcd7b9357af7abc9ea448d6|title=Sabres hire Don Granato as coach to turn around franchise|last=Wawrow|first=John|publisher=The Associated Press|date=June 29, 2021|website=APNews.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

With their last-place finish in the [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]], they won the draft lottery and selected [[Owen Power]] with the first overall pick in the [[2021 NHL entry draft|2021 draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/welcome-to-buffalo-owen-power-sabres-take-um-defenseman-1st-overall-in-2021-nhl-draft|title=Welcome to Buffalo, Owen Power! Sabres take UM defenseman 1st overall in 2021 NHL Draft|publisher=Scripps Media, Inc|date=July 23, 2021|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> Longtime play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret also announced the upcoming season would be his final one.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/rick-jeanneret-to-retire-at-the-end-of-the-2021-2022-season|title=Rick Jeanneret to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 season|last=Meehan|first=Tim|publisher=Scripps Local Media|date=August 20, 2021|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}</ref> Prior to the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]], the Sabres traded away [[Sam Reinhart]] and [[Rasmus Ristolainen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31875793/buffalo-sabres-trade-forward-sam-reinhart-florida-panthers-2022-1st-round-pick-prospect|title=Buffalo Sabres trade forward Sam Reinhart to Florida Panthers for 2022 first-round pick, prospect|last=Wyshnyski|first=Greg|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 24, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31870061/philadelphia-flyers-get-rasmus-ristolainen-buffalo-sabres-1st-round-pick-more|title=Philadelphia Flyers get Rasmus Ristolainen from Buffalo Sabres for first-round pick, more|last=Wyshnyski|first=Greg|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=July 23, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> During the season, the team traded away [[Jack Eichel]] for [[Peyton Krebs]], [[Alex Tuch]] and two draft picks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/32549854/buffalo-sabres-trade-jack-eichel-vegas-golden-knights|title=Buffalo Sabres trade Jack Eichel to Vegas Golden Knights|last=Kaplan|first=Emily|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=November 4, 2021|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> Leading to the trade, Eichel had suffered a herniated disc and sought an independent specialist who recommended an artificial total disc. Eichel's lawyers also told the Sabres organization that the surgery would be required or he wouldn't be able to play the following season. However, the Sabres organization placed him on injured reserve and stripped him of the captaincy prior to the season. The [[Vegas Golden Knights]] funded his surgery following the trade, winning the Stanley Cup with Eichel in {{scfy|2023}}.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ryortho.com/2024/01/the-incredible-story-of-jack-eichel-and-his-artificial-disc/|title=The Incredible Story of Jack Eichel and His Artificial Disc|last=Young|first=Robin|magazine=Orthopedics This Week|date=January 12, 2024|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> The team ended up missing for the 11th consecutive season, setting the record for consecutive missed playoff seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33690130/buffalo-sabres-eliminated-nhl-playoff-contention-record-11th-straight-season|title=Buffalo Sabres eliminated from NHL playoff contention for record 11th straight season|last=Wyshnyski|first=Greg|publisher=ESPN Enterprises, Inc.|date=April 7, 2022|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

The Sabres improved in the [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]], going 42–33–7 and finishing above .500 for the first time since 2011 and only finishing one point below the playoff line.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fairburn |first=Matthew |title=Sabres miss playoffs for 12th straight season|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4403248/2023/04/11/buffalo-sabres-playoffs-streak/ |access-date=April 2, 2025|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 11, 2023}}</ref> With the [[Sacramento Kings]] clinching a spot in the [[2023 NBA playoffs]], it left both the [[New York Jets]] and Sabres as the teams among the [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada#"Big Four" leagues|major professional leagues]] with the longest active postseason drought with twelve seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/kings-clinch-which-team-now-has-the-longest-postseason-drought/290845/|title=Kings clinch! Which team now has the longest postseason drought?|last=Gavin|first=Matt|publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC|date=March 30, 2023|website=NBCSportsBoston.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

On August 17, 2023, Rick Jeanneret passed away.<ref name="Rick">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sabres-broadcasting-legend-rick-jeanneret-dies-at-81/|title=Rick Jeanneret, legendary play-by-play announcer for the Sabres, dies at 81|via=The Associated Press|date=August 18, 2023|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}</ref> The Sabres honored his legacy by renaming Perry Street, the street adjacent to KeyBank Center, to "RJ Way" on October 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkbw.com/sports/sabres/buffalo-sabres-unveil-rj-way-sign-outside-of-keybank-center-to-honor-rick-jeanneret|title=Buffalo Sabres unveil 'RJ Way' sign outside of KeyBank Center to honor Rick Jeanneret|last=Reyes|first=Anthony|publisher=Scripps Local Media|date=October 13, 2023|website=WKBW.com|accessdate=April 4, 2025}}</ref> The team regressed slightly in the [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24 season]]. They ended up trading captain [[Kyle Okposo]] to the [[Florida Panthers]]—he would end up winning the Stanley Cup with Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/sports/2024/03/08/sabres-trade-okposo-for-calle-sjalin--conditional-7th-round-pick|title=Sabres trade captain Kyle Okposo to Panthers, Erik Johnson to Flyers|publisher=Charter Communications|date=March 8, 2024|website=SpectrumLocalNews.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/41328239/kyle-okposo-retires-17-seasons-stanley-cup-win-panthers|title=Kyle Okposo retires after 17 seasons, Stanley Cup win with Panthers|via=The Associated Press|publisher=ESPN Enterprises Inc.|date=September 19, 2024|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> On April 9, they were eliminated from postseason potential with a loss to the Dallas Stars.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5404392/2024/04/10/sabres-playoffs-drought-streak/|title=Sabres miss playoffs for 13th straight season, tie longest active drought in pro sports|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 10, 2024|accessdate=April 2, 2025}}</ref> On April 16, 2024, one day after playing the final game of the season, head coach Granato was fired, marking his ousting as the seventh coach the Sabres have employed since the playoff drought began.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5430238/2024/04/19/don-granato-sabres-coach-fired/|title=Don Granato exclusive: On getting fired by Sabres, his gratitude and what's next|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 19, 2024|accessdate=April 3, 2025}}</ref> One week later, on April 22, former coach [[Lindy Ruff]] was named as the new head coach, returning for a second tenure.<ref name="RuffReturn"/>

In the [[2024–25 NHL season|2024–25 season]], after beginning the season 11–9–1, the Sabres went on a 13-game losing streak.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sabres-snap-13-game-losing-streak-with-win-over-islanders/|title=Sabres snap 13-game losing streak with win over Islanders|via=The Associated Press|publisher=Rogers Media|date=December 23, 2024|website=Sportsnet.ca|accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref> During the streak, owner Terry Pegula visited the team while they were in Montreal to express his support in the team and leadership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6000113/2024/12/17/sabres-terry-pegula-meeting/|title=What led to Sabres owner Terry Pegula's rare meeting with the team in Montreal|last=Fairburn|first=Matthew|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 17, 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2025}}</ref> On April 8, 2025, the team was eliminated from postseason potential for the 14th time.<ref name="14thseason"/> Shortly after the end of that season, the government of [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]] announced plans to end its 30-year operational lease of KeyBank Center when it expires in October 2026, ostensibly placing the arena into the responsibility of the city of Buffalo, who indicated an inability to pay for the maintenance of said arena.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Buffalo can't afford 'monumental task' of overseeing KeyBank Center if Erie County walks away from lease, lawmaker says |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/buffalo-cant-afford-monumental-task-overseeing-keybank-center-if-erie-county-walks-away-lease-lawmaker-says/71-43b2e301-329b-4a10-bdb8-66befe7443e7 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=wgrz.com |date=April 14, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |title=Local leaders to discuss future of KeyBank Center with lease set to expire next year |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/local-leaders-to-discuss-future-of-keybank-center-with-lease-set-to-expire-next-year/ |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=[[WIVB-TV]] |date=April 15, 2025}}</ref> In a statement to the press, Sabres chief operating officer Pete Guelli insisted that the team did not intend to relocate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sabres not 'ruling out' needing money from NYS for KeyBank Center, but emphasize they're committed to Buffalo |url=https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/nhl/sabres/buffalo-sabres-keybank-center-lease-update/71-ce3d79aa-a63c-4dd2-97c4-3e2560d59593 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |website=wgrz.com |date=April 16, 2025}}</ref>