You keep saying that without an iota of proof that the Pegulas are enforcing a budget.
I think the only budgetary "restriction" that the Pegulas have placed on KA is "as long as the money makes sense". Building back the scouting department, implementing and building the analytics department.....all things that take money.
If there really was a budget in place......there's no way that the deal with Ottawa for Murray/#7 gets to where it did.
I know you (in particular) are very harsh as regards spending and can't fathom why the Sabres aren't spending more when they clearly have the cap space. The explanation is easy, but you don't accept it: The organization from top down has decided to let the kids learn on the job. They don't want expensive FAs coming in here and taking playing time from the kids. Playing kids naturally keeps costs down. I doubt the Pegulas are upset with being a cap floor team again........but there is literally zero proof that there's an edict from on high to be a cap floor team. It's just the way it works when any team chooses to play kids.
I mean, you obviously have the same amount of 'proof' i do in terms of who sets the sabres budget.
No one here sits in with the ownership and GM about setting budget expectations.
However, the moves they did make scream that they are facing budgetary restrictions.
Going back to the Eichel trade....why not take more salary back to make the deal work when you have to get above the cap floor? Instead Buffalo went the cheapest way (cash wise) and picked up Boychuk's LTIR deal to get to the floor.
This year, why pick up Bishop if you weren't planning spending as little as possible.
As for the Murray deal, we have little to know about the particulars of that deal. If there was retention + a body going to Ottawa. Maybe we buyout Bjork (Saves 1.2M), don't sign Hino (1.7M) (2.9) and we get 30% retention on Murray, we are spending about the same as we are with those bodies.
The evidence that our budget is "spend as little as possible" is evidenced in that they are spending as little as possible.
Adams razed the front office down to a handful of people. Per the Sabres own website, the Sabres front office had a headcount of 29 before Adams was brought in. He took it down to 13. It now stands (including Analytics) 22. So, overall, even with adding a whole new department, the headcount for the front office is 30% lower.
Why would Adams choose to build a team and self limit the budget?
he was brought in the spend as little as possible. It was in the 1st press conference with Terry and Kim. Economic, Efficient, effective. And since that presser they have been spending at or below the cap floor every season. With a reduced front office.
Of course the Pegula's are setting the budget. it's their money. Kevyn is just the guy in charge of enforcing it.
