Sabres GM Tim Murray following draft: 'We've taken big strides'
The Buffalo Sabres are that much closer to becoming a winning club, general manager Tim Murray said following what he believes was a successful few days at the NHL draft.
Murray added top prospect Jack Eichel second overall, new No. 1 center Ryan O'Reilly in a trade with Colorado, and starting goalie Robin Lehner in a deal with Ottawa.
Still, Murray was tapping the brakes on suggestions his club is automatically playoff ready.
"You’re never going to get me to say that," Murray said Saturday when asked if his team could jump into the Eastern Conference's top eight next season. "If we go to the conference finals in two years and you ask me if we’re going to make the playoffs the next year, I’m not going to say that. Certainly here, things changed a lot in a few days. We’ve changed our team a lot. We’ve improved a lot."
Murray said he's hoping to add a veteran defenseman through free agency or another trade, but cautioned that it may take some time for players both new and old, as well as head coach Dan Bylsma, to find a groove in Buffalo.
He did admit the rebuilding process is beginning to pay dividends for the Sabres, even if only on paper.
"I feel much better about our team," Murray said. "We’ve taken big strides."