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ESPN Staff Writer- Chris Peters is ESPN's NHL draft and prospects analyst. The Chicago native previously covered the NHL for CBSSports.com and founded the popular independent blog UnitedStatesofHockey.com where he covered the game at all levels since 2010.
As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction on what 2019-20 will hold.
What went wrong
The Buffalo Sabres entered the season with three key acquisitions: winger Jeff Skinner, acquired in a trade with Carolina; defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft; and goalie Carter Hutton, signed away from the Blues.
The good news: They all worked out well, especially with Skinner's career-redefining season playing with Buffalo star Jack Eichel. Skinner had 37 goals, matching his career best, through 73 games.
The bad news: Not much else worked out. The Sabres couldn't score (25th in goals) or defend (23rd in goals against), and a 6-11-4 stretch in the middle of the season torpedoed them.
They remain a team with more questions than answers as general manager Jason Botterill enters his third offseason.