How much did 4 slogans help Sabres get back to NHL playoffs after 15 years?

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Before the Buffalo Sabres embarked on the 2025-26 season, they took a few days during training camp for an organized team event away from the rink. At the time, head coach Lindy Ruff spoke vaguely about the retreat, telling reporters it was about “culture.”That’s a loaded word, especially when it comes to the Sabres. Buffalo came into the season with an NHL record 14-season playoff drought, and had mustered only 79 points in the standings in 2024-25. For many reasons, this season represented another fork-in-the-road moment for a franchise that has had plenty of those during its decade-plus run without the playoffs. Rebuilding a culture was going to take more than a weekend, but Ruff had to start somewhere. He did a similar retreat in New Jersey before the season the Devils had 113 points, but didn’t have room in the schedule his first season back in Buffalo because the Sabres played in the Global Series in Prague.Advertisement