Bill Foley, the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights, has made a name for himself by being bold. After leading his team to a Stanley Cup win in 2023, he’s shown little interest in slowing down.
Now, with the addition of Mitch Marner in a massive sign-and-trade, Vegas continues to chase greatness. And in the process, Foley couldn’t resist a subtle dig at a struggling Eastern Conference team.
Buffalo Sabres’ Offseason Strategy Under Fire Following Comments From Vegas Owner
When asked about avoiding a rebuild, Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley pointed to the Buffalo Sabres as a cautionary tale.
“Look at Buffalo,” he said. “They’ve had so many good draft picks and so on, and they’re still in rebuilding mode.” While the remark didn’t name names beyond that, it’s hard to miss the underlying message that Vegas is all-in, and Buffalo seems stuck in neutral.
Foley’s bold approach to ownership is backed by substantial financial clout. As of July 5, his real-time net worth sits at $2.8 billion, placing him No. 1407 in the world according to Forbes. His $500 million investment in the Golden Knights in 2016 marked just one of many high-stakes ventures in his career as a serial dealmaker.
The comments come as the Sabres are facing intense scrutiny for their offseason choices. Their recent trade involving JJ Peterka has especially drawn mixed reviews.
Peterka, a young winger with high upside, had reportedly been hesitant to re-sign in Buffalo. Rather than letting the situation linger, the Sabres dealt him to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring.
JJ Peterka has some star upside after a 68-point season, but really needs to clean things up defensively to realize it. pic.twitter.com/pObjxCTFP5
— dom 📈 (@domluszczyszyn) June 26, 2025
The return wasn’t terrible. But it wasn’t great either. Doan and Kesselring are respectable pieces, yet neither is projected to become a top-line talent. Many fans were left wondering — was this really the best deal on the table?
On top of that, Buffalo’s other moves haven’t turned many heads. During the 2025 NHL Draft, they shipped Connor Clifton to the Penguins for Conor Timmins and prospect Isaac Beliveau. Both could contribute, but neither changes the team’s trajectory.
The free agent market hasn’t brought much help, either. The Sabres added goalie Alex Lyon and forward Justin Danforth. They are solid depth signings but far from headline-making. While rivals are stacking their rosters, Buffalo appears to be standing still.
Time Running Out for the Sabres
Several high-impact players were available this offseason. Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers, for example, could have filled glaring holes in the Sabres’ lineup. But Boeser chose to stay in Vancouver, and Ehlers signed with the Hurricanes.
MORE: Golden Knights Eyeing Bowen Byram After Marner Signing
With top-six forwards in short supply, the Sabres may be forced to look toward the trade market. Names like Jordan Kyrou, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell have surfaced as potential targets. But acquiring them would likely require sacrificing key assets, something Buffalo’s front office has hesitated to do in the past.
With the Atlantic Division growing stronger by the year, the Sabres risk falling even further behind. The Sabres are staring down a critical moment in their rebuild or retool, depending on how it’s framed. Their moves so far have leaned conservative.
Unless something changes fast, they may continue to be the example teams like Vegas use to justify going all in.
