Buffalo Sabres tank commander readies troops for a new NHL standings battle

Buffalo Sabres Prepare for Critical NHL Standings Battle

The Buffalo Sabres face a pivotal four-game road trip that could shape the course of their 2025-26 season and beyond. The team currently struggles in the Eastern Conference, holding a last-place position with a 5-5-4 record, totaling 14 points.

Background on the Sabres' Tanking History

Jeremy White, a WGR 550 radio host, was a prominent voice during the Sabres' controversial tanking effort known as the "McEichel sweepstakes" in 2015. The strategy aimed to secure a top draft pick to select Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.

Operation Gavin McKenna

Now, White is hinting at a new tanking initiative, dubbed "Operation Gavin McKenna," targeting the highly regarded Penn State forward, expected to be the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

"Whispers — A bad road trip from the hockey team and it might time to talk about Totally Another Needed Kleaningofhouse," White wrote on Twitter/X before Rasmus Dahlin announced his family leave.

The phrase “Totally Another Needed Kleaningofhouse” humorously encodes “TANK,” signaling a possible repeat of deliberate poor performance to gain draft advantage.

Current Team Performance

The Sabres have lost five of their last six games following a brief improvement after starting the season with an 0-3-0 record.

Summary

Buffalo's approach, led by some voices advocating strategic losses, reflects the ongoing challenge of rebuilding a competitive team through high draft picks.

Author’s Summary

This tense moment for the Sabres highlights the fine line between tanking for future gains and fighting for respect in the current NHL season.

Sabre Noise — 2025-11-08