Kevyn Adams - New GM

[Buffaloed]

No more Bills talk please. They have a thread.

 

[SundherDome]

McDermott and Beane have passed on all 3 QBs in the AFC Pro Bowl and the last 2 NFL MVPs. If they screwed up on QB they will have accomplished nothing.

That is assuming they would have the same trajectory. The Bills were a hot mess year 1 and year 2.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

E35: Reaction to Sabres Cleaning House; Handicapping Major Awards

Patrick Sharp with some nice things to say about Kevyn Adams leadership ability (about 2:30)

 

[Matt Ress]

Holtby for the "hey I'm Kevyn" move.

 

[Buffaloed]

C'mon Kevyn do something!

 

[TalkingProuder]

C'mon Kevyn do something!

Hopefully a real hockey trade.

 

[Ehran]

C'mon Kevyn do something!

Be careful what you ask for!

 

[Bendium]

Been away for a week and came back to see all this. First thoughts? Just a flat "Hmmm." My take away's are:

1. Eichel, Pilut, and likely a few others finally broke this camel.
2. The camel resisted going where its owner wanted to go. Never good for the camel
3. The tribe was hungry and then .......look! Camel meat!
4. This organization was overdue for top to bottom gutting.
5. Ralph Krueger is the primary long term target for the Pegula's, and Kevyn was the surest way to preserve that without creating even more holes.
6. Ralph just got a lot more say and power in the organization.
7. The next most important hire will be an Assistant GM. Kevyn will need someone focused on the nuts and bolts of trades and contracts.
8. One way or another, someone with serious hockey connections and NHL management experience needs to be brought in. Could be the Assistant GM, or even just an advisor.
9. If they were going to do it, now is better than later. Plenty of time to remake the organization before it really has to function again.
10. The success of the current Bills team is a blueprint the Pegula's are intent on following for the Sabres. Ralph fits it. I have to believe he and the McBean team had some input as to weather Kevyn might fit within it. Must be they all think he does.

Sometimes when you have been losing hand after hand, you just go all in on the first good starting cards you get. Meh!

 

[WeDislikeEich]

I know this is from Sabres.com but still felt it was worth sharing. Looking for any/all positives I can find...

Adams' leadership left marks on former teammates, colleagues

"The first time I ever met Kevyn, you could tell that he had some of that student aspect to him," Ellis said. "Wanting to explore certain things, wanting to know - especially if it was something that intrigued him or interested him, he would always investigate, explore, study and come out of it prepared. He's very detailed.

"He's a mentor figure for me, taking notes and just being present and jotting everything down and going back and studying and looking at things and taking time away to reflect on certain things. Those are things that I've witnessed firsthand and tried to take with me moving forward."

Adams was an alternate captain on that team, a blood-and-guts forward who appeared in all 107 regular season and playoff games. He did not miss a shift after blocking a Chris Pronger slap shot and breaking his wrist during Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and his character left on mark on former teammates that remains today.

"Kevyn Adams is first and foremost a great person," Rod Brind'Amour said in a text message to Sabres.com. "His work ethic and passion in everything he does are second to none. The Buffalo Sabres have made a tremendous move in naming Kevyn as their next GM."

"As a teammate, Kevyn always had your back and would sacrifice it all for the good of the team," wrote Justin Williams. "He is a well-respected leader and an honest, hardworking man who has earned everything he's gotten."

Together with coach Ralph Krueger - whose background is similarly diverse to Adams' - they envision a workflow and line of communication similar to what's been established with general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills.

Who will fill out the remainder of Buffalo's hockey operations is still to be decided, but Adams expects to surround himself with people he can lean on and who will be willing to hold him accountable. Such was the atmosphere he cultivated at the Academy of Hockey.

"Kev was instrumental in putting together a team of people who had certain strengths, offset certain things, were able to basically take on a role and the people that he brought in, kind of allowing them the autonomy to do their thing," Ellis said.

"And that was something that really, really struck me that I've carried with me. He understood strengths. He understood values and roles. He understood there are certain things certain people are better at and if you get the right people in the right seats on the bus, you're going to drive toward some great things especially if the vision if cohesive and connected."

Some of that stuff sounds pretty good to me! Hopefully he’s able to fill out his Sabres staff in a similar manner. If the Sabres end up its a smaller hockey ops, but more quality hires, I can get behind that. I think we all want to feel like these moves were made to improve the Sabres, not just to save money.

 

[Buffaloed]

Fire up the rumor mill!


Ask The Hawks: Kevyn Adams
In terms of guys I've played with... Yanic Perreault twice in my career now, in Toronto early in my career and in Phoenix last year. I know Danny Richmond from my Carolina days. Pat Kane, the first pick is originally from Buffalo. I had never met him but called him after he was drafted to congratulate him and to invite him out to my golf tournament. So I was able to get him out there.

How Patrick Kane Breaks Off-Season Boredom
Donna Kane says, "When Patrick was a rookie at training camp the first year, they had him rooming with [veteran] Kevyn Adams. Patrick walked into the hotel room and Kevyn was reading a book and Patrick said, 'Why would you want to read when you don't have to?' Kevyn said, 'Pat, it's good for you, it teaches you, especially if you enjoy what you're reading.'"

Kane chillin' before going to work
Earlier this week, the 18-year-old from McKinley Parkway played in Kevyn Adams' golf tournament at Glen Oak to benefit the Kevin Guest House. Kane spent the afternoon hanging out with his father, schmoozing with Scotty Bowman, getting pats on the back and confirming he's the nicest kid this side of Prince William.

 

[Buffaloed]

https://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/CHUMAM-48k-pl-22264.m4a (audio)
Button likes Adams - he thinks he'll do what needs to be done and surround himself with good people

Button on Sens vs Sabres
The Sabres have the superstars, the Sens have the depth
Both teams have questions in goal
Button picks the Sens to make the playoffs before the Sabres

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

The Sabres rely too much on the eyeball test, gut feelings, and impressions in scouting. A highlight reel goal might make a big impression on a scout and skew the prospect's rating. The analytics eliminate that.

So true..... Personally, I remember making a roster decision based on such a play that I came to regret later in the season. Yeah.... it happens. A lot more than people might think.

 

[Buffaloed]

So true..... Personally, I remember making a roster decision based on such a play that I came to regret later in the season. Yeah.... it happens. A lot more than people might think.

The Bills drafted Aaron Maybin #1 in 2009 because he had the quickest first step their scout had seen.

 

[K8fool]

Been away for a week and came back to see all this. First thoughts? Just a flat "Hmmm." My take away's are:

1. Eichel, Pilut, and likely a few others finally broke this camel.
2. The camel resisted going where its owner wanted to go. Never good for the camel
3. The tribe was hungry and then .......look! Camel meat!
4. This organization was overdue for top to bottom gutting.
5. Ralph Krueger is the primary long term target for the Pegula's, and Kevyn was the surest way to preserve that without creating even more holes.
6. Ralph just got a lot more say and power in the organization.
7. The next most important hire will be an Assistant GM. Kevyn will need someone focused on the nuts and bolts of trades and contracts.
8. One way or another, someone with serious hockey connections and NHL management experience needs to be brought in. Could be the Assistant GM, or even just an advisor.
9. If they were going to do it, now is better than later. Plenty of time to remake the organization before it really has to function again.
10. The success of the current Bills team is a blueprint the Pegula's are intent on following for the Sabres. Ralph fits it. I have to believe he and the McBean team had some input as to weather Kevyn might fit within it. Must be they all think he does.

Sometimes when you have been losing hand after hand, you just go all in on the first good starting cards you get. Meh!

Alright! A positive post I'm going to hang my foolishly optimistic hat on.. Capt jack and a team with added talent goaltending and buy in..

 

[Sabre the Win]

Adams

I will spell his name right when he earns my respect until then I refuse to even try to get auto correct to spell Kevin with a Y.

 

[jc17]

Been away for a week and came back to see all this. First thoughts? Just a flat "Hmmm." My take away's are:

1. Eichel, Pilut, and likely a few others finally broke this camel.
2. The camel resisted going where its owner wanted to go. Never good for the camel
3. The tribe was hungry and then .......look! Camel meat!
4. This organization was overdue for top to bottom gutting.
5. Ralph Krueger is the primary long term target for the Pegula's, and Kevyn was the surest way to preserve that without creating even more holes.
6. Ralph just got a lot more say and power in the organization.
7. The next most important hire will be an Assistant GM. Kevyn will need someone focused on the nuts and bolts of trades and contracts.
8. One way or another, someone with serious hockey connections and NHL management experience needs to be brought in. Could be the Assistant GM, or even just an advisor.
9. If they were going to do it, now is better than later. Plenty of time to remake the organization before it really has to function again.
10. The success of the current Bills team is a blueprint the Pegula's are intent on following for the Sabres. Ralph fits it. I have to believe he and the McBean team had some input as to weather Kevyn might fit within it. Must be they all think he does.

Sometimes when you have been losing hand after hand, you just go all in on the first good starting cards you get. Meh!

Agree with the first part. Pretty poor analysis for points 5-10. It really lacked sufficient camel references.

 

[pigpen65]

Sabres were 31st in the league in fighting majors with a total of 3. Whether they win or lose at least give us something to watch. Roster move one needs to be to bring in a couple guys to stir shit up and make games interesting. And use the roster p*****s like Reinhart as trade pieces for them

 

[is the answer jesus]

Options to fill vacancies in the Sabres front office
This is really the more interesting conversation at this point. I think Adams is a pretty sharp guy that will do just fine on the business side of things, I'm more concerned on who he can bring in to help with the player evaluation side of things. First guy listed in the article is Brackett who I'm a big fan of.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Sabres were 31st in the league in fighting majors with a total of 3. Whether they win or lose at least give us something to watch. Roster move one needs to be to bring in a couple guys to stir shit up and make games interesting. And use the roster p*****s like Reinhart as trade pieces for them

trade reinhart for goons baby!!!

 

[Buffaloed]

Sabres were 31st in the league in fighting majors with a total of 3. Whether they win or lose at least give us something to watch. Roster move one needs to be to bring in a couple guys to stir shit up and make games interesting. And use the roster p*****s like Reinhart as trade pieces for them

Adams has to fix the overloaded RD position so we can call up Borgen. Fitzgerald probably isn't that far behind. Risto "doesn't mind" if he's traded. Colin Miller was benched for long stretches and was rumored to want out, and Montour is a RFA.

 

[explore]

Fire up the rumor mill!


Ask The Hawks: Kevyn Adams
In terms of guys I've played with... Yanic Perreault twice in my career now, in Toronto early in my career and in Phoenix last year. I know Danny Richmond from my Carolina days. Pat Kane, the first pick is originally from Buffalo. I had never met him but called him after he was drafted to congratulate him and to invite him out to my golf tournament. So I was able to get him out there.

How Patrick Kane Breaks Off-Season Boredom
Donna Kane says, "When Patrick was a rookie at training camp the first year, they had him rooming with [veteran] Kevyn Adams. Patrick walked into the hotel room and Kevyn was reading a book and Patrick said, 'Why would you want to read when you don't have to?' Kevyn said, 'Pat, it's good for you, it teaches you, especially if you enjoy what you're reading.'"

Kane chillin' before going to work
Earlier this week, the 18-year-old from McKinley Parkway played in Kevyn Adams' golf tournament at Glen Oak to benefit the Kevin Guest House. Kane spent the afternoon hanging out with his father, schmoozing with Scotty Bowman, getting pats on the back and confirming he's the nicest kid this side of Prince William.

Kevyn Adams can read. I'm sold.

 

[VaporTrail]

Sabres were 31st in the league in fighting majors with a total of 3. Whether they win or lose at least give us something to watch. Roster move one needs to be to bring in a couple guys to stir shit up and make games interesting. And use the roster p*****s like Reinhart as trade pieces for them

3 fights...absolutely pathetic excuse for a hockey team

 

[VaporTrail]

Been away for a week and came back to see all this. First thoughts? Just a flat "Hmmm." My take away's are:

1. Eichel, Pilut, and likely a few others finally broke this camel.
2. The camel resisted going where its owner wanted to go. Never good for the camel
3. The tribe was hungry and then .......look! Camel meat!
4. This organization was overdue for top to bottom gutting.
5. Ralph Krueger is the primary long term target for the Pegula's, and Kevyn was the surest way to preserve that without creating even more holes.
6. Ralph just got a lot more say and power in the organization.
7. The next most important hire will be an Assistant GM. Kevyn will need someone focused on the nuts and bolts of trades and contracts.
8. One way or another, someone with serious hockey connections and NHL management experience needs to be brought in. Could be the Assistant GM, or even just an advisor.
9. If they were going to do it, now is better than later. Plenty of time to remake the organization before it really has to function again.
10. The success of the current Bills team is a blueprint the Pegula's are intent on following for the Sabres. Ralph fits it. I have to believe he and the McBean team had some input as to weather Kevyn might fit within it. Must be they all think he does.

Sometimes when you have been losing hand after hand, you just go all in on the first good starting cards you get. Meh!

Looking at your #4...they did the personal side...not they have to overhaul the player side...i really hope we don't have another year of "evaluating"

 

[zenthusiast]

I imagine it's been beaten to death already but beyond the yes-man rep I've heard a reliable account suggesting there's little to no faith in Adams' ability to navigate through roster building realities, which obviously is disheartening if accurate

 

[tsujimoto74]

I imagine it's been beaten to death already but beyond the yes-man rep I've heard a reliable account suggesting there's little to no faith in Adams' ability to navigate through roster building realities, which obviously is disheartening if accurate

It all depends on who Adams puts around himself, really. I can't imagine there are many guys who are great at every single aspect of the job, but good GMs (good leaders, in general) understand their own weaknesses and recruit people who can cover for those while they play to their strengths.