Kevyn Adams GM thread

[Sabresfansince1980]

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.

I don't need to view Ullmark's value through a "Bruins all-in" season to feel that keeping your own drafted guy that shows promise and performance is a good move. It's similar to Samuelsson's contract actually, except with more (decent but not great) performance to base it on.

I'm not trying to flame that scenario into a bigger deal. As I said there's room for debate, but I specifically responded to the idea that KA went all in to re-sign him. That definitely didn't happen.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I don't need to view Ullmark's value through a "Bruins all-in" season to feel that keeping your own drafted guy that shows promise and performance is a good move. It's similar to Samuelsson's contract actually, except with more (decent but not great) performance to base it on.

I'm not trying to flame that scenario into a bigger deal. As I said there's room for debate, but I specifically responded to the idea that KA went all in to re-sign him. That definitely didn't happen.

I liked Ullmark a lot and I agree we should've re-signed him. I don't want to play hypothetical to prove my point, because he is very good obviously. But I do not think if if Ullmark is here, that he is a 6 million dollar goalie. Which is what it would've taken to keep him here. It's hard to fault Adams for sticking to his guns.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I liked Ullmark a lot and I agree we should've re-signed him. I don't want to play hypothetical to prove my point, because he is very good obviously. But I do not think if if Ullmark is here, that he is a 6 million dollar goalie. Which is what it would've taken to keep him here. It's hard to fault Adams for sticking to his guns.

Just wish there was another good add to fill the void at some point between then and now...and next year.

 

[Gras]

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...

It was term not dollars, he wanted 6x6 from us but signed with the Bruins for 4x5.

 

[TehDoak]

The Ullmark discussion is quite simple: Ullmark wanted to be paid a premium to play for a rebuilding team, Buffalo didn't want to pay the premium. He took less (in both term and dollars) to sign with a contender than he would have taken here.

The issue isn't that he didn't re-sign Ullmark. The issue is he's had 3 seasons to resolve the goaltending issue and hasn't. The PK has finished 25th, 22nd, and now 31st under Adams. There have been zero steps taken to resolve that, either

The issue is that Adams isn't taking proactive steps to resolve issues. I get it, Buffalo is a hard sell for UFAs. Buffalo has NTC/NMC issues. But to do absolutely nothing in the last 2 offseasons to resolve glaring issues? We've taken TWENTY TWO players in the draft the last two seasons. Five first rounders, three second rounders, and three third rounders. And we have 3 second rounders in this upcoming draft. Not a single pick has been utilized to improve our active roster. Not one.

That isn't player development, that's roster abandonment. And the fact that we've spent below the cap floor both seasons is insult to injury.

The idea that we've had these great feel good stories about Dahlin becoming an elite D-man and Thompson becoming a top 10 center, Cozens becoming a legit secondary scoring threat, and yet we are likely going to be on the outside looking in after an 11 year playoff drought should absolutely infuriate fans.

 

[Jacob582]

MH tweet regarding Buffalo not trading for players: "They can't worry about optics. Their job is results"

The reality is that Adams only has to answer to the owner.

However, Adams could be playing with fire. I feel that many in the fan base's goal for the season has changed. It has gone from: play meaningful games after the new year, to now we should make the playoffs.

So if we see the teams (who improved at the trade deadline) below us make the playoffs and the Sabres miss, it could get ugly. Fans mad, booing at any remaining home games, not renewing buying season tickets.

I know I am assuming alot (we haven't even reached the trade deadline for that matter). But we can't deny that the goal posts have moved. Look at all of today's animosity on this site, despite how far we have come (we didn't even have a number 1 or number 2 center just a short time ago!).

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

It's not Adams' fault that Tuch and Dahlin got hurt, but the Chychrun trade could have off-set the Dahlin injury and kept the team in the hunt. I fear that Det or Ott will pass Buffalo and if either one makes the last playoff spot instead of the Sabres, it's going to look really really bad. Sticking to a plan that includes missing a playoff spot when it was right at your fingertips is just a stupid plan, or stupidly sticking to a plan that could have been adapted in stride.

 

[Matt Ress]

MH tweet regarding Buffalo not trading for players: "They can't worry about optics. Their job is results"

The reality is that Adams only has to answer to the owner.

However, Adams could be playing with fire. I feel that many in the fan base's goal for the season has changed. It has gone from: play meaningful games after the new year, to now we should make the playoffs.

So if we see the teams (who improved at the trade deadline) below us make the playoffs and the Sabres miss, it could get ugly. Fans mad, booing at any remaining home games, not renewing buying season tickets.

I know I am assuming alot (we haven't even reached the trade deadline for that matter). But we can't deny that the goal posts have moved. Look at all of today's animosity on this site, despite how far we have come (we didn't even have a number 1 or number 2 center just a short time ago!).

Good points. I bet a lot of our expectations from preseason threads have been raised. Also, Adams answers to ownership but ownership answers to fan involvement. I don't remember a rebuild this patient so we'll see how things shake out.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

MH tweet regarding Buffalo not trading for players: "They can't worry about optics. Their job is results"

The reality is that Adams only has to answer to the owner.

However, Adams could be playing with fire. I feel that many in the fan base's goal for the season has changed. It has gone from: play meaningful games after the new year, to now we should make the playoffs.

So if we see the teams (who improved at the trade deadline) below us make the playoffs and the Sabres miss, it could get ugly. Fans mad, booing at any remaining home games, not renewing buying season tickets.

I know I am assuming alot (we haven't even reached the trade deadline for that matter). But we can't deny that the goal posts have moved. Look at all of today's animosity on this site, despite how far we have come (we didn't even have a number 1 or number 2 center just a short time ago!).

If the bolded in particular were to happen, that would be incredibly embarrassing. We might mess around and make the playoffs, we might not. I can’t believe that a fanbase starved for any tingling of excitement for 12 years in a row stoops that low.

This should be time for excitement. Our very best players are 20-25 years old and it’s not just 1 or 2, it’s multiple guys at the hardest positions to find besides goalie.

This just reeks of not having any perspective whatsoever.

 

[jd1970]

He's about to learn the hard way.

 

[Gabrielor]

My expectation is to make the playoffs in the 23-24 season. It would be nice to do it now, but that's my expectation.

Adams can't sit on his hands another entire year and just draft 9 left wingers.

 

[Zman5778]

My expectation is to make the playoffs in the 23-24 season. It would be nice to do it now, but that's my expectation.

After this season, it should be everyone's expectation to make the playoffs next year.

 

[StlSwedes]

My expectation is to make the playoffs in the 23-24 season. It would be nice to do it now, but that's my expectation.

Adams can't sit on his hands another entire year and just draft 9 left wingers.

We are of like minds. Stick to the plan. The window isn't open. Keep developing. I do not buy the narrative that the locker room needs an FA to believe the FO believes in them. That is just NHL journalist talk/sound bytes for clicks.

We are the youngest team in the league and fans are acting like it is now or never. SMH. So many of our players will be better next season. Plus, when more of the inconsistencies of youth are ironed out with experience it will be easier to correctly trade for needs.

 

[Matt Ress]

My expectation is to make the playoffs in the 23-24 season. It would be nice to do it now, but that's my expectation.

Adams can't sit on his hands another entire year and just draft 9 left wingers.

It kinda sucks but they are doing what I had hoped this season. My patience will last until about August. Not flipping out now but they can say they're waiting to see what they have for another 4 years if they never make another draft pick.

 

[Ace]

My expectation is to make the playoffs in the 23-24 season. It would be nice to do it now, but that's my expectation.

Adams can't sit on his hands another entire year and just draft 9 left wingers.

The players with term that people think we will want in the off-season are moving now. He just missed out on a lot of players that can help now, and later…that were available now…and won’t be later.

The plan is flawed. If it even ever included making moves in the first place.

 

[DustyZ]

After this season, it should be everyone's expectation to make the playoffs next year.

Why are we giving up this year?

4th place in division with 50% chance to get in and we just because a tougher team with Stillman on the blue line.

 

[TehDoak]

If the bolded in particular were to happen, that would be incredibly embarrassing. We might mess around and make the playoffs, we might not. I can’t believe that a fanbase starved for any tingling of excitement for 12 years in a row stoops that low.

This should be time for excitement. Our very best players are 20-25 years old and it’s not just 1 or 2, it’s multiple guys at the hardest positions to find besides goalie.

This just reeks of not having any perspective whatsoever.

Not really? It reeks of missed opportunity.

I think sometimes, during a rebuild, there is pain. We've experienced that.

But usually that is similar to what Detroit saw, where the cupboard is just bare after years of contention. You've got buyouts, dead cap, etc.

That isn't where we are at though. We went from a 54 pace in 2020 to a 75 point team in 2021.

That's a great improvement. We had a full year of evaluation, we knew what the guys in Rochester and Buffalo were, what direction they were trending, etc.

To simply do the bare minimum last summer and not spend above the cap floor was a missed opportunity. Nobody is talking about shredding all our 1sts, nobody is talking about a 7-8 year superstar deal. But to maybe invest a 1st or a 2nd last summer to fill a hole? Maybe look at the mid range UFAs to help with the PK. Just something that shows that the front office recognizes the teams issues and are actively working to fix them.

It's frustrating, even more so that we see the breakout year of Thompson, Cozens, and Dahlin. It feels like another year just wasted because a lack of commitment from the front office to improving the team now.

 

[Sabretooth]

We are of like minds. Stick to the plan. The window isn't open. Keep developing. I do not buy the narrative that the locker room needs an FA to believe the FO believes in them. That is just NHL journalist talk/sound bytes for clicks.

Idk I think it's clear it's at least something on players' minds. Here's some thoughts on making moves to improve the team by a few flames players. Publicly, I'd expect our players to make the same kind of "we have to believe in ourselves" types of statements and it'd be some loser crap if they felt they couldn't do it without help but who knows how they really feel in the room.

NHL Trade Buzz: Domi held out by Blackhawks | NHL.com

Andersson hopes Flames will be buyers; Predators loaded with picks in 2023 Draft

www.nhl.com

Defenseman Rasmus Andersson is hoping the Flames will be buyers before the deadline.

"I hope they do something, obviously, but it's not my job and I'm not focused on that," Andersson said. "I believe in this group and all 23 players in here believe in this group. We're just trying to win hockey games here."

"We have a good team here, good players," forward Andrew Mangiapane said. "If we add players it'd be great, but if we don't we still have a great team in here that we can still make the playoffs and go on a run at the end."

"At the end of the day we have a really good team in the room here," forward Tyler Toffoli said. "We take a lot of pride and every one of us wants to win. Regardless of if we make a move to get better or not, we believe in ourselves and we just have to get the job done."

 

[Ace]

What an era

 

[StlSwedes]

Idk I think it's clear it's at least something on players' minds. Here's some thoughts on making moves to improve the team by a few flames players. Publicly, I'd expect our players to make the same kind of "we have to believe in ourselves" types of statements and it'd be some loser crap if they felt they couldn't do it without help but who knows how they really feel in the room.

That's true for many teams. But Sabres specifically, I do not think they are at a point as a group where they feel they are a move away from being a contender. Nor do I think a move is what will signal to the team that there is belief in them.

These guys realize that 90% of this team will only be better next year. Why not wait until we see the better version of this team in a firm playoff spot? Then focus on using the roster assets to address those weaknesses instead of trying to bandaid the current team which has a bunch of shortcomings.

 

[Ace]

That's true for many teams. But Sabres specifically, I do not think they are at a point as a group where they feel they are a move away from being a contender. Nor do I think a move is what will signal to the team that there is belief in them.

These guys realize that 90% of this team will only be better next year. Why not wait until we see the better version of this team in a firm playoff spot? Then focus on using the roster assets to address those weaknesses instead of trying to bandaid the current team which has a bunch of shortcomings.

The teams around you get better too. Ottawa added a top 4 D and has been missing their 2C the whole year. Every team has draft picks and prospects coming...or are already elite. Our best players are having career years on cheap deals.

Counting on improvement from within when the goalies and D are complete trash while other teams actually improve their holes is a fools errand and a treadmill to nowhere.

You need to build. A. Roster.

 

[StlSwedes]

The teams around you get better too. Ottawa added a top 4 D and has been missing their 2C the whole year. Every team has draft picks and prospects coming...or are already elite. Our best players are having career years on cheap deals.

Counting on improvement from within when the goalies and D are complete trash while other teams actually improve their holes is a fools errand and a treadmill to nowhere.

You need to build. A. Roster.

So many of these teams will be eliminated in the first round. Loads of them have bad deals and an aging core.

Deals to improve and build a roster are much easier to swing at the draft than at the TDL when prices are inflated. The Sabres need pieces for certain. But I want those to be the right pieces and not just a hot name that is UFA with a bunch of media hype.

 

[toddkaz]

Is Adams on the hot seat next season?

What GM keeps their job after missing the playoffs 3 seasons in a row?

 

[joshjull]

Is Adams on the hot seat next season?

What GM keeps their job after missing the playoffs 3 seasons in a row?

Kind of hard to answer. We’d have to miss the playoffs this season first. Then be out of it next season.

 

[Ace]

Is Adams on the hot seat next season?

What GM keeps their job after missing the playoffs 3 seasons in a row?

If they miss this year and then he does nothing and miss next year too? He damn well should be.

But he won’t be. He’s done everything ownership asked of him. You have to start looking it through what Adams is…not what he should be.

He should be a GM with the assets and cap flexibility to build a winner.

He is a mouthpiece for Terry’s unspent money to smile and convince you why trying is bad.

What will happen if they miss twice is that the part of the fanbase he’s convinced with his gaslighting will wake up