Sabres take final 5-4 as Hiller benches McKenna

Coach took blame instead of rookie

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

"The one thing I did like was that he didn't blame the kid... He kind of ate it." @FriedgeHNIC joins @Mattymar89 and @F Via @Sportsnet on X

What happened: Jim Hiller benched Gavin McKenna during the game against the Sabres. The game went final at 5-4 for Buffalo. Hiller did not blame McKenna and took responsibility himself.

Why it matters: The decision tests how quickly a young player earns back trust. How Hiller distributes responsibility shapes locker-room response.

What to watch: Watch McKenna's shift count and deployment in the next game.

Sources

@Sportsnet 2026-10-16T18:46:52.122325+00:00

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