The Buffalo Sabres’ 2025-26 NHL season has barely begun, but the tension surrounding the franchise is already palpable. After a 0-3 start, the spotlight has shifted squarely onto general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff, both reportedly facing mounting pressure from ownership and the locker room alike.
The situation escalated when fans at KeyBank Center chanted “Fire Adams!” during a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, a rare but telling sign of frustration from one of hockey’s most loyal fan bases.
Are the Buffalo Sabres Running Out of Time to Turn Things Around?
According to multiple NHL insiders, including Elliotte Friedman, Jeff Marek, and Chris Johnston, the Sabres’ leadership may be operating on borrowed time.
Friedman noted that star players Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson have allegedly made it clear that improvement must happen this season. Johnston added that pressure is already “rising across the front office” after yet another poor start.
Chris Johnston: The heat is really already up for the Sabres; if they don’t start winning some games, certainly the feeling is Kevyn Adams the GM and everyone in that front office, there’s pressure to do something – Insider Trading (10/14)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) October 15, 2025
The Sabres’ performance on the ice has done little to calm the storm. Through three games, Buffalo has been outscored 10-2, with their power play still searching for a spark. Dahlin, Thompson, and Alex Tuch, the team’s offensive core, remain without significant impact, and the Sabres are one of only three NHL teams yet to record a win.
Insiders have described Buffalo’s early-season struggles as a “short runway” situation. Friedman reported on 32 Thoughts that the Sabres’ two cornerstone players have reached their limit with the constant losing.
“It has to get better this year,” he said, quoting the sentiment shared by Dahlin and Thompson. “The Sabres don’t have a long runway for this.”
Analyst Jeff Marek echoed the concern, suggesting that a change in management could come sooner than expected and possibly be followed by a coaching shake-up.
Jeff Marek: Re Sabres rumours: I don’t think it would be beyond the pale to suggest that a GM change might happen sooner than later, and if a GM change happens does a coach change happen? – Daily Faceoff Live (10/14)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) October 15, 2025
The pressure has intensified amid reports that Buffalo’s summer hire, former Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen, could be a potential successor to Adams. Officially listed as a senior advisor, Kekalainen has already been spotted traveling with the team and attending other NHL games, fueling speculation that the transition process may already be underway.
Sabres’ Struggles Run Deeper Than Injuries
While injuries have contributed to the Sabres’ slow start, the absences of forwards Josh Norris and Zach Benson, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and defenseman Michael Kesselring do not alone explain the deeper issues. The team’s structure and consistency remain significant concerns.
Even when healthy, Buffalo has lacked the defensive discipline and offensive balance to compete in the East.
Franchise frustration is understandable. The Sabres are staring at a possible 15th straight year without playoff hockey, and fans have grown weary of waiting. Despite offseason optimism, the reality is setting in; if results don’t change quickly, changes off the ice seem inevitable.