Kevyn Adams GM thread

[Jim Bob]

But he keeps saying that Pegula provides all the resources, there is no limit. That he leaves cap space to extend Quinn, Levi and Byram. These are his words.

I also want to note that the Flames have almost 12 million less money under the cap and they are somewhere near the playoffs, Columbus has the same thing and they are even higher than us in the standings.

As Baker said, Adams whining won't change anything, well, that's the owner, nothing can be done about it, then work before you get fried, because people already want it. They also refute all this nonsense about taxes and palm trees, especially Adams screwed up when she started talking about the city.

I do not take the words of a yes man at face value.

Adams is covering for his boss.

 

[Fjordsen]

I do not take the words of a yes man at face value.

Adams is covering for his boss.

Either not, or he just likes to keep cap space for his kids. He's already given idiotic contracts to Cozens, Power, and Samuelsson. I'm not sure Adams is lying, especially since he almost got Necas or Ehlers himself, and there was talk of Pesce before that. So maybe there's no limit.

 

[truthbluth]

I will not watch the Sabres until there is a new GM with actual GM experience at any level.

 

[Jim Bob]

Either not, or he just likes to keep cap space for his kids. He's already given idiotic contracts to Cozens, Power, and Samuelsson. I'm not sure Adams is lying, especially since he almost got Necas or Ehlers himself, and there was talk of Pesce before that. So maybe there's no limit.

If there is no limit, why have they not hired someone like Ken Holland to be a senior advisor to the GM?

Why do they have one of the smallest pro scouting departments in the NHL?

Why do they have one of the smaller development coaching staffs in the NHL?

Why did they not allow Lindy Ruff to bring in outside assistant coaches?

Why did they give Lindy Ruff only a two year deal? I bet it had nothing to do with the fact that NJ is paying him this season and next season, right?

There is so much evidence that points to Kevyn Adams covering for Terry Pegula. And that is likely keeping him safe in his job.

 

[Fjordsen]

If there is no limit, why have they not hired someone like Ken Holland to be a senior advisor to the GM?

Why do they have one of the smallest pro scouting departments in the NHL?

Why do they have one of the smaller development coaching staffs in the NHL?

Why did they not allow Lindy Ruff to bring in outside assistant coaches?

Why did they give Lindy Ruff only a two year deal? I bet it had nothing to do with the fact that NJ is paying him this season and next season, right?

There is so much evidence that points to Kevyn Adams covering for Terry Pegula. And that is likely keeping him safe in his job.

Then it looks illogical. Baker said that well, it's pennies for Pegula, some 7 million. The years of Covid have passed, maybe there were restrictions then? Just look for yourself, Adams himself said that his deal fell through at the last moment, there were rumors about Pesce, Necas, Ehlers, that is, he was ready to add 1-2 players with a considerable salary. Also, we are not near the cap floor, or Terry set the restrictions at 83-84 million, which is also strange.

 

[Jim Bob]

Then it looks illogical. Baker said that well, it's pennies for Pegula, some 7 million. The years of Covid have passed, maybe there were restrictions then? Just look for yourself, Adams himself said that his deal fell through at the last moment, there were rumors about Pesce, Necas, Ehlers, that is, he was ready to add 1-2 players with a considerable salary. Also, we are not near the cap floor, or Terry set the restrictions at 83-84 million, which is also strange.

Only 6 teams have more cap space today than the Sabres.

Actions speak louder than words.

 

[Fjordsen]

Only 6 teams have more cap space today than the Sabres.

Actions speak louder than words.

I'm still not sure, knowing Adams, how eager he is to develop kids and give them big contracts. Although your option cannot be ruled out either.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'm still not sure, knowing Adams, how eager he is to develop kids and give them big contracts. Although your option cannot be ruled out either.

We have heard the same song and dance from Adams year after year after year.

Next year they will spend. No, next year they will spend. Nope, next year they will spend...

 

[Fjordsen]

We have heard the same song and dance from Adams year after year after year.

Next year they will spend. No, next year they will spend. Nope, next year they will spend...

It's just strange to give such contracts, they could have saved a lot there too, plus we are far from the floor. That's what I don't understand.

I don't follow the Bills, do they have these problems too?

 

[zenthusiast]

“No Limit” is the name of the yacht

 

[toddkaz]

I'm still not sure, knowing Adams, how eager he is to develop kids and give them big contracts. Although your option cannot be ruled out either.

For the next 2-3 years what players do we need to save cap space for that we can't spend to the max?

Definitely not Quinn or Levi.

 

[Fjordsen]

For the next 2-3 years what players do we need to save cap space for that we can't spend to the max?

Definitely not Quinn or Levi.

But he still needs to extend Peterka, Byram, and possibly some UFAs. I have no idea how he will act, especially if he is not fired earlier.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Pegula hired a rookie GM with zero NHL front office experience.

On day one, Pegula made him fire a bunch of staff, including front office staff.

There was not a single experienced NHL GM brought in to mentor said rookie GM with zero NHL front office experience.

They have had one of smallest pro scouting staffs during Adams tenure as GM.

That have had one of the smallest cash spend on players and coaches during Adams tenure as GM.

The only evidence that Pegula has given Adams every resource needed to win is Adams saying that is the case. There is zero public data to back that up.

This

It’s just comical levels of ineptitude. Pegula promoted a guy to GM who had exactly 1 year of experience in any NHL front office, and that experience was on the financial side of the terribly run Buffalo Sabres. Then he makes his super inexperienced GM fire the entire hockey ops + scouting dept’s, gives him a shoe-string budget and has his first time GM run the entire organization with a tiny skeleton crew for his first couple years on the job.

Who does that and thinks it’s a good idea?

I'm still not sure, knowing Adams, how eager he is to develop kids and give them big contracts. Although your option cannot be ruled out either.

I don’t know if Adams was given an internal budget or not, but I don’t think there’s any debate that he’s been very careful about the bottom line.

Considering that Terry Pegula said it was all about “economic and efficient” upon hiring Adams + firing everyone else, and the team has operated very economically ever since, I think it’s safe to say at the very least that Adams recognizes that part of his job is to be very careful how he spends money.

 

[zenthusiast]

 

[Fjordsen]

This

It’s just comical levels of ineptitude. Pegula promoted a guy to GM who had exactly 1 year of experience in any NHL front office, and that experience was on the financial side of the terribly run Buffalo Sabres. Then he makes his super inexperienced GM fire the entire hockey ops + scouting dept’s, gives him a shoe-string budget and has his first time GM run the entire organization with a tiny skeleton crew for his first couple years on the job.

Who does that and thinks it’s a good idea?



I don’t know if Adams was given an internal budget or not, but I don’t think there’s any debate that he’s been very careful about the bottom line.

Considering that Terry Pegula said it was all about “economic and efficient” upon hiring Adams + firing everyone else, and the team has operated very economically ever since, I think it’s safe to say at the very least that Adams recognizes that part of his job is to be very careful how he spends money.

Considering the kind of contracts he gives his players, I'm not sure about that. This doesn't look like caution, but rather like an unreasonable overpayment.

 

[Zman5778]

If nothing else, it'd be consistent with the Pegula/Adams approach of only wanting guys that want to be here.

 

[Fjordsen]

If nothing else, it'd be consistent with the Pegula/Adams approach of only wanting guys that want to be here.

Dumb approach.

 

[zenthusiast]

If nothing else, it'd be consistent with the Pegula/Adams approach of only wanting guys that want to be here.

Unfortunately, paired with the new angle of “nobody wants to be here,” we’re gonna be running out some interesting lineups

 

[zenthusiast]

I do think that probably means Adams was referring to Ehlers, then

 

[Zman5778]

Dumb approach.

On one hand -- I get it. And who knows if Necas breaks out here the same way he's broken out in Carolina?

On the other.......it shows literally zero urgency to make the playoffs and make use of the ridiculous amount of assets we have to make the playoffs.

 

[Zman5778]

I do think that probably means Adams was referring to Ehlers, then

Or someone else that hasn't even been speculated on by the major media. We know that Adams likes to work in a vacuum.

 

[zenthusiast]

Or someone else that hasn't even been speculated on by the major media. We know that Adams likes to work in a vacuum.

Pegula even refuses to pay for matter

 

[Fjordsen]

On one hand -- I get it. And who knows if Necas breaks out here the same way he's broken out in Carolina?

On the other.......it shows literally zero urgency to make the playoffs and make use of the ridiculous amount of assets we have to make the playoffs.

Even if he hadn't breaks out as well, he could have easily remained a second-line guy with 50-60 points. Although considering who he played with in Carolina on the line (Eric Robinson and Kotka), he could have easily breaks out in Buffalo. Two years is a normal term, it's not a lease. Byram initially wasn't very happy about the trade, but now, on the contrary, he's inspired.

 

[Jim Bob]

It's just strange to give such contracts, they could have saved a lot there too, plus we are far from the floor. That's what I don't understand.

I don't follow the Bills, do they have these problems too?

The Bills cash spend on players is 22nd in the NFL this year per Spotrac. But, that is likely affected by having over $60M in dead cap.

They are in the top 10 in expected cash spend in 2025 and 2026 as of today.

 

[Sabre Dance]

If nothing else, it'd be consistent with the Pegula/Adams approach of only wanting guys that want to be here.

That’s exactly what I’ve been saying recently. The Sabres can’t worry about that stuff. Worry about winning, not if a player is happy living in Buffalo. Players want to win.

I know for a fact this is the biggest thing in Terry Pegulas mind. He wants players that love Buffalo, or act like they love it.

News flash, Bills players would choose to sign in other cities if they weren’t winning or overpaid.

It’s reality. Win games and players will sign long term. Necas for 2 years might’ve been the difference in the team making the playoffs. Dont worry about him walking in 2 years.