Kevyn Adams GM thread

[DustyZ]

Well,

We've waited 11 years.

Let's see where we are.

 

[Zman5778]

Who do we have in our system coming up?

It shouldn't be a surprise that an NHL hockey team needs defenseman as well as forwards?

We've got a couple of guys in the system with potential. Novikov has held his own in the 2nd best league in the world and per EliteProspects, his contract expires at the end of the year. Komarov has gotten stronger as the year has gone on and looks to be a guy with a real chance to play in the NHL. Lindgren has had a bit of a subpar year, but the tools and talent are there.

Given what we have in the NHL -- A 22 year old Norris candidate, A 22 year old shutdown guy, A 20 year old legit #1 Dman and a 23 year old who's been just fine as a #4.................our need for lots of good defensemen in the system isn't as pressing. And don't forget Ryan Johnson, who's going to play a lot of NHL games (we just hope it's for us). So we've got 4 (or 5) legit young defensemen. It makes sense that there's a bit of a gap in the pipeline right now. I imagine KA fixes that soon.

 

[Fezzy126]

Well,

We've waited 11 years.

Let's see where we are.

This management group has been around for 3 years. How long Sabres fans have waited for the playoffs is irrelevant to their timeline.

 

[DustyZ]

This management group has been around for 3 years. How long Sabres fans have waited for the playoffs is irrelevant to their timeline.

In the past 8 years, the Sabres have picked either 1st or 2nd OVERALL in half of those years.

These are all assets that this management team has inherited, or won.

Excuses at this point seem unacceptable.

 

[Dirty Dog]

In the past 8 years, the Sabres have picked either 1st or 2nd OVERALL in half of those years.

These are all assets that this management team has inherited, or won.

Excuses at this point seem unacceptable.

Who is making excuses and for what?

And no, the management didn’t inherit 8 years of amazing assets. The inherited a tire fire, and literally traded away those assets.

You’re reaching

 

[MOGlLNY]

This management group has been around for 3 years. How long Sabres fans have waited for the playoffs is irrelevant to their timeline.

And while it’s frustrating and I get people being impatient, that’s how it should be. Stay the course.

I think the splashes come this off-season. We are in the hunt and ahead of schedule. It’s not far away.

 

[joshjull]

This management group has been around for 3 years. How long Sabres fans have waited for the playoffs is irrelevant to their timeline.

Not even 3 years. Its only been a little over 1.5 years since the current front office came into existence and started to implement their vision for the team.

They’ve only been at it since the 2021 offseason. Which didn’t start until July of that year.

Adams took full control of the front office in March 17, 2021 and Karmanos was brought in April 14, 2021. He (Karmanos) did a top to bottom review of the organization. Once that review was over they began to rebuild/build up the front office and that included a very strong analytics department.

 

[Diaspora]

Not even 3 years. Its only been a little over 1.5 years since the current front office came into existence and started to implement their vision for the team.

They’ve only been at it since the 2021 offseason. Which didn’t start until July of that year.

Adams took full control of the front office in March 17, 2021 and Karmanos was brought in April 14, 2021. He (Karmanos) did a top to bottom review of the organization. Once that review was over they began to rebuild/build up the front office and that included a very strong analytics department.

This is rational. Thanks.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Not even 3 years. Its only been a little over 1.5 years since the current front office came into existence and started to implement their vision for the team.

They’ve only been at it since the 2021 offseason. Which didn’t start until July of that year.

Adams took full control of the front office in March 17, 2021 and Karmanos was brought in April 14, 2021. He (Karmanos) did a top to bottom review of the organization. Once that review was over they began to rebuild/build up the front office and that included a very strong analytics department.

I was gonna say, 3 years seem long!

 

[HaNotsri]

Thank God we traded Eichel instead of allowing the surgery and waiting. Halleluja.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

There was talk back when Regier was GM about how he wouldn't talk to anyone after the end of the season. Heinze wanted to stay and from when their season ended to the opening of free agency, he never heard a word. There was nothing until right before the opening of free agency. He's not the only one who talked about that but it was one that always stuck with me as he was so excited to have come to Buffalo. There was some sort of team golf event and he was there, and apparently Regier told him at that event finally that he wasn't in their plans, thanks, have a nice life.

The Darth cuts both ways

 

[Dubi Doo]

I dont think anyone is planning the parade for Adams, but he's done some good things. Specifically, moving on from the old core and getting valuable assets in return. That's encouraging, imo. He seems to assess the trade market well, which is promising since he's a new GM and Im sure other GMs were knocking on the door in hopes to take him to the cleanners when he was moving on from Eichel and co.

I like the contracts he's handed out, and I do have to give him some credit for hiring Granato and extending him. It was a bit of luck that they seemingly have hit on Granato, but I cant void Adams from credit there, either.

The culture has done a complete 180, and Granato AND Adams deserve credit for that.

There seems to be a plan it place and early indications tell me that plan is going well so far. So...is that optimism? I dont know what that feeling is; It's been a while for me, haha

 

[HaNotsri]

I'd grade Adams:
Short term: 3/5
Biggest positive is adding Tuch.

Long term: 5/5
Great contracts and really promising draft picks.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

 

[Dubi Doo]

Moving the discussion here so we don't clutter the 'Around the NHL thread'

Detroit and Ottawa have had injury issues....we haven't. In fact, we've been one of the least injured teams in the league this year.

To see the individual performances we've had and see where we are in the standings as a positive indicator of Adams performance is a logical disconnect.

Adams refusal to do anything other than moves to get to the cap floor this summer rather than actually try to address obvious issues that playing kids won't resolve is the reason we aren't comfortably in a playoff spot.

A norris trophy nominee and potentially a hart trophy nominee....and we are still likely not going to finish in the top 16 this year. Why? Because we're terrible in net and can't kill a penalty....all issues that were known 2 years ago AND last summer. Yet nothing substantial has been done on either front, despite immense draft capital and nearly unlimited cap space.

The injuries are a legit counterpoint, though during our 8-game losing streak we were completely depleted on defense. Good point, though. But I'd figure we would be a bottom-10 team with the way some people have been talking about Adams offseason.

As for the goalies, who would you have signed? It was a crapshoot of goalies. Sure, you could say they should've gone with Samsonov, but he's on a really, really good Toronto team that is playing good defense (and I'm sure most goalies would choose TO over Buffalo at a chance of starting). Many were clamoring for Jack Campbell, and that contract looks horrid now. Comrie was a good 'throw the dart at the board' signing. Perhaps trade for Talbot? I'm not sure he's been all that much better than UPL.

If you want a good goalie- you really need to develop one or you end up like the Panthers with a terrible contract. Ullmark is a rarity, and even then, Adams wanted to re-sign him, but he was done with Buffalo...who can blame him after that shit show of a season?

I would not want to go big fish hunting in FA. I would've liked some help in the bottom-6 (Perron would've been nice), but we were also CRAMMED at forwards and were trying to figure out who was going to take a role on this team and who wasn't.

Adams/Granato also wanted to keep room for Quinn and Peterka to cycle in and out of the LU, which I was fine with because they both dominated in the AHL. Hinostroza is a good depth forward. Asplund forgetting how to be a gritty, two-way forward hurt, though.

I wanted a top-4 RD, but was ok with giving Joki one more year to figure it out because he looked decent next to Power. I was fine with Bryson as our bottom pairing guy because he looked the part last season. I also liked the Lyubushkin signing. I thought he'd provide pretty good RD depth. I still think he can be a good bottom pairing guy, but he's been inconsistent this year.

I don't view the offseason as an epic failure. I liked some moves. I would've been happier with more moves. I guess I'll say I understand Adams approach. I also understand where you guys are coming from, too.

I want to see Adams be more aggressive in trades to find a top-4 guy and find some help via FA/trades for the bottom pairing/bottom 6 this offseason. Meier would be awesome, too.

If Adams doesn't begin trimming the fat and filling roles with new players this offseason- I'll start to become much more concerned.

​

 

[toddkaz]

Moving the discussion here so we don't clutter the 'Around the NHL thread'


The injuries are a legit counterpoint, though during our 8-game losing streak we were completely depleted on defense. Good point, though. But I'd figure we would be a bottom-10 team with the way some people have been talking about Adams offseason.

As for the goalies, who would you have signed? It was a crapshoot of goalies. Sure, you could say they should've gone with Samsonov, but he's on a really, really good Toronto team that is playing good defense (and I'm sure most goalies would choose TO over Buffalo at a chance of starting). Many were clamoring for Jack Campbell, and that contract looks horrid now. Comrie was a good 'throw the dart at the board' signing. Perhaps trade for Talbot? I'm not sure he's been all that much better than UPL.

If you want a good goalie- you really need to develop one or you end up like the Panthers with a terrible contract. Ullmark is a rarity, and even then, Adams wanted to re-sign him, but he was done with Buffalo...who can blame him after that shit show of a season?

I would not want to go big fish hunting in FA. I would've liked some help in the bottom-6 (Perron would've been nice), but we were/are also CRAMMED at forwards and were trying to figure out who was going to take a role on this team and who wasn't.

Adams/Granato also wanted to keep room for Quinn and Peterka to cycle in and out of the LU, which I was fine with because they both dominated in the AHL. Hinostroza is a good depth forward. Asplund forgetting how to be a gritty, two-way forward hurt, though.

I wanted a top-4 RD, but was ok with giving Joki one more year to figure it out because he looked decent next to Power. I was fine with Bryson as our bottom pairing guy because he looked the part last season. I also liked the Lyubushkin signing. I thought he'd provide pretty good RD depth. I still think he can be a good bottom pairing guy, but he's been inconsistent this year.

I don't view the offseason as an epic failure. I liked some moves. I would've been happier with more moves. I guess I'll say I understand Adams approach. I also understand where you guys are coming from, too.

I want to see Adams be more aggressive in trades to find a top-4 guy and find some help via FA/trades for the bottom pairing/bottom 6 this offseason. If he doesn't begin trimming the fat and filling roles with new players this offseason- I'll start to become much more concerned.

​

The thing is unless you are in the office with Adams no one really knows. Hindsight is 20/20 and a team also has to be willing to give up a goalie or a defenseman at a reasonable price that doesn't hurt the future of the club.

Its tough to be realistic and pragmatic at the same time in guessing what should have happened or what moves would have been better.

EDIT: You are right, if Adams doesn't start taking some chances in developing a contender he will start to mirror Botterill who sat on his hands and preached patience and development while bringing in borderline NHLers to plug holes.

 

[TehDoak]

As for the goalies, who would you have signed? It was a crapshoot of goalies. Sure, you could say they should've gone with Samsonov, but he's on a really, really good Toronto team that is playing good defense (and I'm sure most goalies would choose TO over Buffalo at a chance of starting). Many were clamoring for Jack Campbell, and that contract looks horrid now. Comrie was a good 'throw the dart at the board' signing. Perhaps trade for Talbot? I'm not sure he's been all that much better than UPL.

I'm not going through 3 seasons of goalie transactions, since it's been a clear need every off season he's been a GM. Every time I bring up Adams inaction, the default response is "Well what would have YOU done" and it becomes a pissing match over specific goalies, etc. Instead, let's look at what Adams HAS done since becoming a GM, re: the goaltenders

2020: Do nothing when in clear win now mode with a good but oft injured, pending UFA and a bad vet goalie who came out and said he couldn't see the puck.
2021: Go with the AHL (Tokarski) and sign a guy who hasn't been good in 4 seasons (Anderson)
2022: Sign a career backup who has passed through waivers multiple times, and despite having terrible numbers, you bring back oldie the goalie, double his previous salary to play less games, and hope the guy who is oft injured and "inconsistent" at the AHL level will somehow be able to be consistent and healthy at the NHL level.

And it should be noted, during these seasons, we had ample cap space and assets to address the goaltending spot. Even though were were capped out in 2020, we weren't at the cap until we added Hall/Eakin, both GMKA signings. It should also be noted we wasted a goalie protection slot during the expansion draft on a pending UFA who didn't want to sign here.

I can pull out plenty of other failures to improve the team, but the goaltending is the most obvious and glaring. 3 summers to at least attempt to resolve the issue, and 3 summers of failure.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I'm not going through 3 seasons of goalie transactions, since it's been a clear need every off season he's been a GM. Every time I bring up Adams inaction, the default response is "Well what would have YOU done" and it becomes a pissing match over specific goalies, etc. Instead, let's look at what Adams HAS done since becoming a GM, re: the goaltenders

2020: Do nothing when in clear win now mode with a good but oft injured, pending UFA and a bad vet goalie who came out and said he couldn't see the puck.
2021: Go with the AHL (Tokarski) and sign a guy who hasn't been good in 4 seasons (Anderson)
2022: Sign a career backup who has passed through waivers multiple times, and despite having terrible numbers, you bring back oldie the goalie, double his previous salary to play less games, and hope the guy who is oft injured and "inconsistent" at the AHL level will somehow be able to be consistent and healthy at the NHL level.

And it should be noted, during these seasons, we had ample cap space and assets to address the goaltending spot. Even though were were capped out in 2020, we weren't at the cap until we added Hall/Eakin, both GMKA signings. It should also be noted we wasted a goalie protection slot during the expansion draft on a pending UFA who didn't want to sign here.

I can pull out plenty of other failures to improve the team, but the goaltending is the most obvious and glaring. 3 summers to at least attempt to resolve the issue, and 3 summers of failure.

2020: Ullmark was our starter, and Adams wanted to keep him.
2021: Adams went all-in on trying to sign Ullmark, then had to scavenger the scrap yard when Ullmark didnt want to sign. I can see the arguement he messed up by going all-in for Ullmark, but he had the right goalie in mind to re-sign.
2022: there weren't many options available.

Hey, I didnt have much faith in Adams when the team was free falling in 2020, but he garnered some respect from me with how he handled trading the old core. Tuch is a GEM. Krebs is looking like a solid NHLer at the very least + another 1st. A 1st for Risto, lol worthy @ Fletcher. Getting a 1st and Levi for Reinhart.

That's a tough spot for any new GM to be in, but he got every penny those assets were worth and then some. He gets kudos from this pessimistic Sabres fan.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

2020: Ullmark was our starter, and Adams wanted to keep him.
2021: Adams went all-in on trying to sign Ullmark, then had to scavenger the scrap yard when Ullmark didnt want to sign. I can see the arguement he messed up by going all-in for Ullmark, but he had the right goalie in mind to re-sign.
2023: there weren't many options available.

Hey, I didnt have much faith in Adams when the team was free falling in 2020, but he garnered some respect from me with how he handled trading the old core. Tuch is a GEM. Krebs is looking like a solid NHLer at the very least. A 1st for Risto, lol worthy @ Fletcher. Getting a 1st and Levi for Reinhart.

That's a tough spot for any new GM to be in, but he made the right moves. He gets kudos from this pessimistic Sabres fan.

He didn't go all in, or Ullmark would have signed. There's room for debate, but if KA agreed to the contract demand it's very likely he stayed. Many posters feel his demand was too much, and IMO so what? There was no other good option and Ullmark was it. No other option and quibble over a mil per year? Ugh...

 

[Dubi Doo]

He didn't go all in, or Ullmark would have signed. There's room for debate, but if KA agreed to the contract demand it's very likely he stayed. Many posters feel his demand was too much, and IMO so what? There was no other good option and Ullmark was it. No other option and quibble over a mil per year? Ugh...

I was under the impression Ullmark didnt want to re-sign here.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I was under the impression Ullmark didnt want to re-sign here.

It was a minor contract dispute, or difference of opinion...however you choose to phrase it. He wanted 6x6 and KA wanted 5x5...something like that. Glad we saved that one mil per! @#$%

 

[toddkaz]

If Adams sits on his hands will people start comparing him to Botterill?

We go from Murray who is rumored to be a part of every trade out there and leaks like a sieve to Botts and Adams where we don't hear any leaks and their pace is extremely slow.

Not saying one is good or bad just a general observation on strategies.

He didn't go all in, or Ullmark would have signed. There's room for debate, but if KA agreed to the contract demand it's very likely he stayed. Many posters feel his demand was too much, and IMO so what? There was no other good option and Ullmark was it. No other option and quibble over a mil per year? Ugh...

Ullmark puts us in the playoffs

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

If Adams sits on his hands will people start comparing him to Botterill?

We go from Murray who is rumored to be a part of every trade out there and leaks like a sieve to Botts and Adams where we don't hear any leaks and their pace is extremely slow.

Not saying one is good or bad just a general observation on strategies.

I think Murray was better for the fans, solely because you pretty much knew what he was thinking or the direction he wanted to go.

With Adams, it may not be as good for the fans not knowing what's going on but it's probably better for the team. Murray basically played poker with his cards laid out on the table, and that could probably work against him in acquiring players. Raising the cost if teams know he's targeting someone. It could also have an adverse effect on the locker room if there are loud rumblings of players being moved. As much as players try to block out that outside noise, it can still have an effect.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I was under the impression Ullmark didnt want to re-sign here.

He didn't and giving Ullmark 6 million for 6 would've been outrageously dumb. Until this year, playing behind the team on pace for the best regular season ever it would've been a serious mistake.

Give me a break on the Ullmark stuff. He (understandably) didn't want to be here. Adams gave him above fair value at the time and he left.