NHL News: Lindy Ruff has reason to be hopeful about the Buffalo Sabres’ future

Finishing second-to-last in the Atlantic Division last NHL season is a spot the Buffalo Sabres clearly don’t want to find themselves in again. To avoid that, Lindy Ruff’s squad will feature some new faces for the future—an injection of talent that could give the veteran coach reason to believe big things are possible.

It’s a unique story with three main characters—brought together by fate and years of friendship, all while wearing the Sabres jersey. Adam Kleber, Brodie Ziemer, and Ashton Schultz were each selected in different drafts by Buffalo, and now, the future of the franchise could start to look a lot brighter with this promising trio leading the way.

Kleber was the first of the group to be drafted, selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. Ziemer was chosen shortly after, going in the third round (71st overall). The trio was completed a year later when Schultz was picked in the sixth round (167th overall) of the 2025 NHL Draft.

While these players still need to continue their development before making their mark at the highest level, there’s growing hope in Buffalo that a promising future isn’t too far off—one that could bring strong results on the ice sooner rather than later.

Brodie Ziemer poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ziemer excited about reuniting with friends in Buffalo

The uncommon reunion of these longtime friends from Minnesota—years after going their separate ways and now all drafted by the Buffalo Sabres—is a rare sight in the NHL. That’s why Brodie Ziemer still finds it hard to believe. Yet, he can’t hide his excitement about what the future might hold with all three of them playing together on the same team.

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“It’s honestly crazy,” he said via NHL.com. “If you told me a couple of years ago I’d be here with Adam Kleber and Ashton Schultz, two guys that I played on the same pee wee team growing up, I’d say you’re crazy, but it’s happening right now, and it’s pretty cool.”

For his part, Adam Kleber was also interviewed by the media about the situation and, without hesitation, echoed the words of his friend and now teammate, expressing similar excitement about what lies ahead.

“That was really cool,” he said. “I remember being in the (Sabres) draft suite and the guys were like, ‘Oh, Ziemer’s next on the list.’ I’m like, really? And then they picked him, and it was just kind of a crazy moment, kind of just a small world and how things happen.”

Adam Kleber is selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the 42nd overall pick during the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A promising future in Buffalo

The Buffalo Sabres’ future looks bright, fueled by a core of promising young talent. Despite a disappointing recent season, the organization has amassed a deep roster of high-potential prospects and young players already making an impact in the NHL.

With a strong blend of offensive firepower and defensive depth, including players like Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, and Tage Thompson, the Sabres are banking on this young core to mature together. The team believes this group has what it takes to turn the page on their recent struggles and become a formidable force in the Eastern Conference for years to come.