NHL Odds: Sabres a Long-Shot to Win Cup in 2025-26

The Buffalo Sabres haven’t won a Stanley Cup in franchise history, and according to the latest NHL odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, they likely won’t compete in the 2025-26 season. The Sabres’ Stanley Cup winner odds are +14000, the sixth-highest in the NHL.

This past decade and a half has been a walk through the valley of the shadow of death for Sabres fans. The team hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2011, and the supposed franchise savior, Jack Eichel, was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021. 

Eichel later won the Cup with Vegas in 2023. 

Sometimes, all you have to run on is hope, but I think the Buffalo Sabres could have a surprising 2025-26 season. Here’s why. 

Cap Space Galore

The Sabres have a projected $22 million in cap space as they navigate this offseason. While some of that cash will go to pending RFAs, Buffalo should have enough for an aggressive pursuit of a top-tier free agent. 

Team owner Terry Pegula and GM Kevyn Adams know they need a splash move, and all signs from Adams show he’s now willing to jump into the deep end of the pool.

With that cap space, the Sabres could likely afford Sam Bennett or Nikolaj Ehlers. The question is, will either player want to sign with Buffalo?  

A likely target for the Sabres is Brock Boeser, a former 40-goal scorer coming off a down year with the Vancouver Canucks, where he scored only 25. Boeser and the Canucks are headed for a likely divorce, and Buffalo could swoop in and sign a proven goal scorer. 

Back to the Future 

When the Sabres hired Lindy Ruff last year, they weren’t just bringing back a familiar face but the all-time coaching wins leader in franchise history. Ruff stood behind the bench for the last Buffalo golden era and coached the Sabres to a Stanley Cup Final. 

Ruff is a proven winner, and GM Adams confirmed Ruff’s return for the upcoming season. The question is, can Ruff be the steady hand the young Sabres need to take the next step?

Last year, the Sabres showed some early progress under Ruff’s command. A 13-game midseason losing streak, however, dashed any hope of a postseason resurgence. 

Is Ruff the right coach for this Sabres squad? I don’t know, but in my mind, he’s as good a coach as any in the NHL, so his return is a net positive. 

Jarmo Kekalainen Will Shake Things Up

Kekalainen, the former Columbus Blue Jackets GM, joined the Sabres as a senior advisor last month. His tenure with the Blue Jackets was a success, propelling them to the playoffs and setting team records for regular-season wins. 

While the buck ultimately stops at Pagula and Adams, Kekalainen’s years of experience building gritty teams will bring a fresh set of eyes to an otherwise moribund Sabres front office. 

Buffalo Sabres 2026 Stanley Cup Odds Remain Long

There’s a good reason why oddsmakers are down on the Sabres: they haven’t been a good team in a very long time. Buffalo is an organization, after all, that couldn’t make it work with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. 

So, what would lead anyone to think the 2025-26 Buffalo Sabres could win the Stanley Cup?

With oodles of cap space, an experienced coach, and a revamped front office, the Sabres could be on a list of surprise teams for the upcoming season. Keep an eye out for their playoff odds over the summer.