Kevyn Adams GM thread

[HogtownSabresfan]

Waive a couple of these clowns. Cozens and Joker. Promote some Rochester guys.

You can trade Cozens. And Joker.

 

[elchud]

You can trade Cozens. And Joker.

Yeah i think you're right, after some reflection.

 

[Ace]

Pegula doesn’t know what he’s doing but I will never call him a bad owner. What I ask of ownership is pretty simple, sign your best players. Pegula has pretty much signed everyone. Not many contract disputes under Pegula.

They traded Mitts when he needed a deal. They traded Reinhart specifically because they wouldn’t sign him long term. They let Ullmark walk. They signed Eichel and RoR and traded them. One because he wouldn’t pay his bonus. They signed Skinner and bought him out. Which saved him cash and adds to six years of cap.

What the f*** are we giving him credit for?

Tricking Tage before his breakout?

 

[Ace]

And the last thing I want to hear about from a GM who won’t spend money is taxes. Because you know how that problem gets solved? Tying teams cap numbers to individual tax rates. Which just means more money that he won’t spend. Until he’s using the assets he DOES HAVE, cap space in a period where it’s been the ultimate asset and futures he hoards like a clown, he can f*** right off. Seriously…saves 20 million a year for three years buying himself zero players, weaponizing it for zero assets, getting ZERO benefit from having the most of the thing everyone wants…and he has the f***ing nerve to cry about taxes? And people pretend it isn’t about the f***ing money?

 

[BG82]

Time to move on from Adams

 

[Fjordsen]

@toddkaz I'm currently looking at what GMs could theoretically be available in the summer and I don't see any options, so I'm not sure there's any point in waiting for the summer, maybe I should choose the best one available. But there are a lot of older people there, I don't know if they'd want to be a GM, maybe they'd look at the role of POHO.

 

[BG82]

They traded Mitts when he needed a deal. They traded Reinhart specifically because they wouldn’t sign him long term. They let Ullmark walk. They signed Eichel and RoR and traded them. One because he wouldn’t pay his bonus. They signed Skinner and bought him out. Which saved him cash and adds to six years of cap.

What the f*** are we giving him credit for?

Tricking Tage before his breakout?

Bowen Byram has been our best player outside of Tage.. Agreed on everything else. The prospect hording has set us back.

You can trade Cozens. And Joker.

Why trade Cozens? We seen the spurts of C2 play. He needs consistency.

Trading Cozens for prospects is Sam Reinhart 2.0

Hold tight on Cozens

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

1. Center Depth Decline & Cozens on the Wing​

The Sabres once had solid center depth with players like Jack Eichel and O reilly. However, after the Eichel trade, center depth has become a weak spot again. Cozens, while developing into a solid player, may be better suited to the wing, especially with Casey Mittelstadt in the middle. Moving Cozens to the wing could help maximize both players’ offensive production. The Sabres have yet to replace Eichel with a true No. 1 center, leaving a void at the top of the lineup and a need for more depth down the middle.

2. Failure to Address Defensive Core​

While Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power are outstanding young defensemen, the Sabres' blue line remains a key weakness. Kevyn Adams has not brought in a reliable top-four defenseman or veteran presence to complement Dahlin and Power. The lack of depth and experience on defense has left the Sabres exposed, especially in tight games and against stronger, more seasoned teams. Until Adams addresses the defensive core, the Sabres will continue to struggle in their own zone, hindering their ability to compete.

3. Questionable Trades: Giving Up More Than We Get​

One of the most significant issues under Adams has been his trade history, particularly in dealing away more than the team has received in return. The Jack Eichel trade is the most notable example, where the Sabres moved their star player but received a package that has not yet delivered enough immediate impact. Similarly, other trades have involved moving established players for uncertain returns, often leaving the Sabres short on proven talent or unable to capitalize on the assets they’ve moved. This tendency to give up more than they receive in trades has hurt Buffalo's ability to build a competitive roster in the short term, leaving them with fewer high-level contributors than they should have for a rebuild of this magnitude.

4. Long-Term Contracts for Inconsistent Players​

Kevyn Adams has handed out long-term contracts to players like Tage Thompson, Cozens , and others who, while talented, have not consistently performed at a high level over the course of entire seasons. These contracts tie up significant cap space, limiting the team’s ability to make necessary upgrades in other areas—especially in defense and goaltending. By locking up long-term deals with players who still have much to prove, the Sabres have reduced their financial flexibility, making it harder to address the team’s more pressing weaknesses. It’s a strategy that could be seen as putting long-term bets on players before they've proven themselves capable of consistently being the core pieces of a competitive team.

5. Goaltending Inadequacies: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Isn’t Enough​

While Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has shown promise as a young goaltender, he’s not yet at a level where he can carry the team on his own. Adams has failed to bring in a reliable veteran goaltender or another proven NHL-level option to stabilize the position. This inconsistency in net leaves the Sabres vulnerable in high-pressure games, particularly during stretches where Luukkonen’s development isn't yet at the point where he can take on a starting role consistently. The Sabres need a more established goaltending presence to give them the stability needed to compete, especially as they start to develop other areas of their roster.

6. Inconsistent Roster Moves & Lack of Chemistry​

Adams has made numerous roster moves, including trades, acquisitions, and draft selections, that have often disrupted the lineup's stability. The Sabres have a lot of promising young talent, but the team has struggled to build chemistry due to frequent changes in personnel. The lack of a stable lineup has hurt their ability to develop cohesion, and this inconsistency has led to difficulties in establishing a strong identity on the ice. This instability has been detrimental to the team’s overall progress, preventing them from making the jump from rebuild to competitive playoff contender.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Yeap, former Ducks GM.

Both were former Ducks GMs

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

1. Failure to Build Around Elite Talent (Eichel & Reinhart)​

• The Sabres had two franchise-caliber players in Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart. Despite having these players, who could have been the cornerstones of a playoff-contending team, Adams was unable to surround them with enough talent or create a team capable of making the playoffs. The trade returns for both players (Eichel to Vegas and Reinhart to Florida) have yet to show immediate success in terms of improving the team’s on-ice performance, suggesting that Adams may not be the right person to maximize the value of such high-profile assets.

2. Inconsistent Roster Decisions and Trades​

• Adams has made a number of moves to change the roster but hasn’t been able to significantly improve the team’s competitiveness. For example, trading key players for assets and bringing in players who didn’t move the needle or pan out has hindered long-term progress. The team has not shown consistent improvement under his leadership. Furthermore, the Sabres have struggled with retaining key players, and Adams hasn’t been able to build a competitive core around the likes of Eichel, Reinhart, or even Rasmus Dahlin.

3. Missed Opportunities in Free Agency​

• While Adams has made some moves in free agency, he hasn’t been able to bring in the key veteran players needed to complement the team’s youth and create a competitive environment. In a league where adding high-impact free agents is crucial to making the leap into playoff contention, Adams hasn’t been able to make the right moves to accelerate the team’s development or turn the Sabres into a contender.

4. Failure to Accelerate the Rebuild​

• The Sabres have been in a rebuild for several years, but under Adams, there has been little to show in terms of a concrete step toward competing for a playoff spot. The franchise has been stuck in a perpetual rebuild, and with key players not taking their games to the next level, it’s fair to question whether Adams can properly manage the rebuild process or if a new approach is needed to move the team forward.

5. Lack of On-Ice Results​

• Despite some positive aspects like developing young players, the Sabres have consistently failed to translate their assets into meaningful on-ice success. The team has not come close to making the playoffs, and the lack of urgency to create a competitive team around its young core has led to stagnation. If the goal is to build a playoff team and Adams hasn’t been able to do that after several years, it might be time for a change in leadership to bring in someone who can finally get the team over the hump.

6. Underperformance Relative to Expectations​

• Adams took over a team in need of a rebuild, but the hope was that his moves would lead to faster progression. However, the team has remained near the bottom of the standings and continues to struggle. The inability to take advantage of trade opportunities, improve the roster significantly, or even get the most out of the team's young players has raised doubts about Adams’ ability to lead the team back to relevance.

Conclusion:​

Without delving into the draft side of things, the case for firing Kevyn Adams largely rests on his inability to build a competitive team, capitalize on high-value assets like Eichel and Reinhart, and create tangible improvement in the Sabres' performance over multiple seasons. If the team continues to underperform and shows no clear path to playoff contention, ownership may decide a change in management is necessary to revitalize the organization and finally bring about a successful rebuild.

 

[sabres4ever]

Who is next?

 

[Fjordsen]

Who is next?

View attachment 941490

 

[Dreakon13]

Adams biggest problem is that after 22-23 he assumed the top 6 was good. Thompson and Cozens broke out, Peterka/Quinn/Tuch were the surrounding cast as a vet and a mix of youth with a lot of potential. Figured moving on from Skinner just made room for Benson, who was looking the part. Didn't see a place for Mitts so traded him for a position of weakness in Byram (the last spot in the top 4 D after Dahlin, Sammy and Power).

With the top 6 forwards good and the top 4 defense good, he revamped the bottom 6 and hoped the UPL train would keep rolling.

Nitpicking aside, I can kinda follow this. It wasn't a horrible bet to take after seeing flashes of the upside. I think even fans saw the plan starting to take shape. The problem was almost all of these players ended up not being what we expected/needed, at least not together. Maybe on different teams, with different players, in a different situation... but not here in this composition.

Adams picked his players, and he wants/wanted this young group to grow and go win a Cup together. I can accept this as his idealistic plan that isn't working out... but I dunno if he has it in him to seriously retool this group he took such big swings on (in particular those big feel-good contracts he gave out).

 

[toddkaz]

@toddkaz I'm currently looking at what GMs could theoretically be available in the summer and I don't see any options, so I'm not sure there's any point in waiting for the summer, maybe I should choose the best one available. But there are a lot of older people there, I don't know if they'd want to be a GM, maybe they'd look at the role of POHO.

We can poach an assistant off of a winning team? Gregory Campbell?

Maybe Don Sweeney gets fired at the end of the season?

But then again why would any experienced GM want to come here?

 

[Fjordsen]

We can poach an assistant off of a winning team? Gregory Campbell?

Maybe Don Sweeney gets fired at the end of the season?

But then again why would any experienced GM want to come here?

Money or the person likes the GM job. I think you can also assign an experienced guy to the role of POHO, and he will conduct interviews with all the candidates.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

With the top 6 forwards good and the top 4 defense good, he revamped the bottom 6 and hoped the UPL train would keep rolling.

This is the problem....the top 6 and top 4 were never actually "good". Maybe you were fooled just like KA, but he is supposed to know better. A GM can't just settle on a particular set of young players, 20-22 or so yrs old, and assume they are the guys. That's a total gamble... really dumb or stubborn or overconfident or all of the above.

 

[sabremike]

 

[Ace]

Even if Adams managed to trick himself into believing that top 6 would all repeat career seasons despite everyone in the world openly explaining that wouldn’t happen…it ignores the bigger problem than running it back last year.

He ran it back again this year. After getting rid of last year’s most productive center and buying out a winger. He just…ran it back.

Fool yourself once, shame on you. Fool yourself twice, get away from my f***ing hockey team you unqualified puppet ass yes man

 

[Dreakon13]

This is the problem....the top 6 and top 4 were never actually "good". Maybe you were fooled just like KA, but he is supposed to know better.

I was explaining what I believe Adams was thinking, not necessarily my perspective. Though I won't say I didn't think this group had more potential than this after 22-23.

And yes, that was my point. It was idealistic for Adams to believe he had his core figured out though I can almost accept his plan for what it was... but if he hasn't realized it isn't going to work yet and embrace a retool, he needs to go.

 

[oldgoalie]

He should be gone just based on how badly he f***ed up the goaltending situation alone, starting way back with Ullmark. This team still doesn’t have a legitimate starter (I just don’t think UPL has it in him).

 

[Sabre Dance]

They traded Mitts when he needed a deal. They traded Reinhart specifically because they wouldn’t sign him long term. They let Ullmark walk. They signed Eichel and RoR and traded them. One because he wouldn’t pay his bonus. They signed Skinner and bought him out. Which saved him cash and adds to six years of cap.

What the f*** are we giving him credit for?

Tricking Tage before his breakout?

What? Pegula would’ve kept everyone if asked. These were roster decisions by the GM or players wanting out.

Of everything we’ve seen and heard from Terry do you actually believe he doesn’t want to win? He’s probably the biggest fan in the building. He just doesn’t know what he’s doing. I don’t know how involved he is in day to day operations and roster building, but I have no doubt he wants to win. I genuinely think he just doesn’t know what to do. He’s tried throwing money around, tried tanking for top picks, tried building through draft.

He has not hired a legit hockey guy President of Hockey operations yet. I’m guessing this will be his next move.

 

[slip]

Even if Adams managed to trick himself into believing that top 6 would all repeat career seasons despite everyone in the world openly explaining that wouldn’t happen…it ignores the bigger problem than running it back last year.

He ran it back again this year. After getting rid of last year’s most productive center and buying out a winger. He just…ran it back.

Fool yourself once, shame on you. Fool yourself twice, get away from my f***ing hockey team you unqualified puppet ass yes man

I’ve come to terms with the Mitts trade. Didn’t make us worse or better. Imagine this D we saw tonight without Byram. Holy shit what a disaster on top of an already f***ing disaster.

Skinner? Glad he’s gone.

Bottom line is the youth brigade he relied on to step it up offensively have collectively shit the bed. While not an unforeseen possibility as you state, his worst case scenario has come to fruition. A man of honor would own the error of his ways and fall on his sword, but this lackey dodges all responsibility, clinging to a failed roster build.

I don’t think he makes it through the New Year. Everyone’s had enough.

 

[Fjordsen]

I’ve come to terms with the Mitts trade. Didn’t make us worse or better. Imagine this D we saw tonight without Byram. Holy shit what a disaster on top of an already f***ing disaster.

Skinner? Glad he’s gone.

Bottom line is the youth brigade he relied on to step it up offensively have collectively shit the bed. While not an unforeseen possibility as you state, his worst case scenario has come to fruition. A man of honor would own the error of his ways and fall on his sword, but this lackey dodges all responsibility, clinging to a failed roster build.

I don’t think he makes it through the New Year. Everyone’s had enough.

Well, I don't think that's right. Let's say he could have kept Mitts, yeah, maybe he wouldn't have gotten Byram, but he could have gotten two top-4 RDs to play with Dahlin and Power in other deals. Although in his case, he should have just traded Cozens, not Mitts.

 

[Fjordsen]

figure we have a better chance of getting a better GM in the summer. There isn't much out there right now. Who is out there? Ken Holland? Bergevin?

Man with a palm tree

 

[Ace]

What? Pegula would’ve kept everyone if asked. These were roster decisions by the GM or players wanting out.

Of everything we’ve seen and heard from Terry do you actually believe he doesn’t want to win? He’s probably the biggest fan in the building. He just doesn’t know what he’s doing. I don’t know how involved he is in day to day operations and roster building, but I have no doubt he wants to win. I genuinely think he just doesn’t know what to do. He’s tried throwing money around, tried tanking for top picks, tried building through draft.

He has not hired a legit hockey guy President of Hockey operations yet. I’m guessing this will be his next move.

You have to be kidding me.

I don’t even know where to start here. Because it has to be a joke.

He fired two GMs because they wouldn’t do what he said…wouldn’t keep him involved enough. And you want to say, with a presumably straight face, this was all Adams going rogue on major roster decisions? Shit…ask LaFontaine why he walked so quickly.

Botterill wanted to move RoR before his bonus was paid limiting the return?

Really?

Adams goal was to save Pegula cash, hurt the cap for years beyond his deal, and then not use the year of big savings on Skinner?

Really?

Mittelstadt was moved with arb rights after paying Cozens because Adams just thought…I have too many centers when he didn’t have enough?

Really?

Reinhart begged for a long term deal…twice…and two different GMs told him to go f*** himself without Terry knowing?

Really?

Come the f*** on. It’s year 14 with exactly one constant in charge of f***ing anything. The man who laid off low income workers during a pandemic, gutted the front office and scouting staff, installed a f***ing braindead sackless puppet to do as he’s told, spent the least in the league for theee f***ing years DURING WHICH TIME THE CAP WAS ALREADY ARTIFICIALLY LOW TO PAY OWNERS BACK FOR LOST REVENUE.

COME ON.