Kim Pegula will remain president of the Buffalo Sabres with a continued focus on making the small-market franchise economically sustainable, despite facing criticism that the team has been mismanaged under her direction, according to The Associated Press.

Pegula acknowledges the process of building a competitive club is taking longer than expected.

"Sometimes I kick myself in, saying, 'How come I didn't see this sooner?' That's on me," Pegula said regarding the franchise's restructuring that began last year.

"But that's what I'm trying to do now, trying to really remold and reshape the organization into what Terry (Pegula) and I envision," she said. "One thing I've been preaching is sustainability, about how to ensure that we are here in this Buffalo area for a long time."

The Sabres, who were forced to place a cap on season-ticket sales the year the Pegulas purchased the team, have recently struggled to sell out games. With $1.9 million in operating revenue in 2018-19, Buffalo ranked 24th among NHL teams, according to Forbes.

Poor economic conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic, paired with the organization's NHL-worst nine-year playoff drought, has led to uncertainty about the team's ability to draw fans next season.

"There's tough decisions that are going to have to be made, but anyone at the top has to make them," she said. "I think we're in a better place, just not done yet."

Since the Pegulas purchased the team in 2011, the Sabres are on their sixth coach and third general manager. The club has finished sixth or lower in the Atlantic Division in seven straight seasons.

The Pegulas were most recently criticized for laying off 21 employees while looking to cut costs. Several high-profile executives were among the cuts, including longtime ticket sales vice president John Sinclair.

Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.