The Sabres Should Avoid Acquiring Mitch Marner or Auston Matthews
After being eliminated by the Florida Panthers in a 6-1 loss, the Toronto Maple Leafs once again fell short of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals—marking their seventh consecutive Game 7 loss and ninth straight playoff exit before the conference final. In response, major changes are expected in Toronto. Mitch Marner is likely to leave in free agency, and Auston Matthews has been mentioned in trade discussions.
Some fans are calling for the Buffalo Sabres to pursue one of these big names, but doing so would be a mistake.
Regular Season Success Doesn’t Equal Playoff Success
While Marner reached the 100-point mark and Matthews surpassed 400 career goals this season, neither has demonstrated consistent success in the playoffs. Despite the star power, both have repeatedly underperformed when it matters most.
Would that change in Buffalo? It’s unlikely. The Sabres fan base is passionate and demanding. After a 14-year playoff drought, expectations are high—and bringing in players with poor postseason track records won’t necessarily turn the tide.
Marner and Matthews have had talented supporting casts in Toronto, yet playoff results have remained the same. Marner showed real passion only in what could be his final game as a Leaf, suggesting a lack of fire throughout much of his tenure. These aren’t the traits Buffalo should be looking for as they try to build a winning culture.
Buffalo’s Priorities Should Lie Elsewhere
The Sabres already have a strong offensive foundation and don’t need another high-priced forward who may not elevate the team in the playoffs. Instead, they should focus on addressing more pressing needs: strengthening the defense and solidifying the goaltending situation.
Bringing in either Marner or Matthews would risk repeating past mistakes—like the costly Jeff Skinner contract—without addressing the root issues. Building a complete, well-rounded team should take precedence over chasing names that haven’t proven themselves when it counts.
