Kevyn Adams - New GM

[Fjordsen]

Eakin and Girgensons both signed over the market rate. Girgensons is justifiable because he's been here and you know what he can do. Eakin is hard to justify when you compare him to guys like Larsson, Wennberg, Wallmark who signed for less

But Krueger wanted to see Eakin in the team, it is difficult to make claims to Adams if the head coach asks for a certain player.

 

[Buffaloed]

what we don’t know is the locker room interaction and influence, and off ice stuff. I wonder if there was something about Larsson that Krueger didn’t like.

Maybe that's true, but if he's as good as many Sabres fans believe he would have received more than $1.2 million. Kahun is still unsigned. I remember people being upset when the Sabres declined Tim Kennedy's arbitration award making him an UFA, and how we must retain ERod when he went to arbitration. When you have a team as bad as the Sabres have been, average players look good.

 

[TunaBoss44]

But Krueger wanted to see Eakin in the team, it is difficult to make claims to Adams if the head coach asks for a certain player.

You're not wrong but it's still on Adams to actually sign Eakin. The main problem I have with Eakin is not the player but the overpayment. You didn't have to give him 2 years and over 2 million this year when better players are going for less. If Adams had signed him for the 1 year 700k vet special, I'd have no issues

I'm also not sure how you make a clear distinction between Adams and Krueger at this point. It's fairly obvious that Krueger is acting as a de facto AGM so I think you need to look at management as a whole and that's what I'm using this thread to do

 

[Fjordsen]

You're not wrong but it's still on Adams to actually sign Eakin. The main problem I have with Eakin is not the player but the overpayment. You didn't have to give him 2 years and over 2 million this year when better players are going for less. If Adams had signed him for the 1 year 700k vet special, I'd have no issues

I'm also not sure how you make a clear distinction between Adams and Krueger at this point. It's fairly obvious that Krueger is acting as a de facto AGM so I think you need to look at management as a whole and that's what I'm using this thread to do

I don't know, maybe Adams overpaid Eakin a little, but why should he sign a contract for 700 thousand? He had not the most successful season, but before that he scored 41 points (22+19), which is solid.

Well, they have their own plan and it is already more or less clear which hockey to play and which players to invite, I have no problem with that.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

No one knows who else / if anyone was courting Eakins. I would hate to think he bid against himself, but if there were others than so be it

 

[The Norris Division]

I don't know, maybe Adams overpaid Eakin a little, but why should he sign a contract for 700 thousand? He had not the most successful season, but before that he scored 41 points (22+19), which is solid.

Well, they have their own plan and it is already more or less clear which hockey to play and which players to invite, I have no problem with that.

Thrilled to have Eakins as our 3C. Love his speed and compete.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Eakins isn't exactly an analytics darling is he?

 

[TehDoak]

No one knows who else / if anyone was courting Eakins. I would hate to think he bid against himself, but if there were others than so be it

It...doesn't matter if there was competition?

Wennberg, a much better fit, signed for the same on a one year term. Derek Grant, signed for 1.5M

Derek Brassard is still unsigned

Erik Haula is still unsigned.

Bonino got traded for a song.

Thrilled to have Eakins as our 3C. Love his speed and compete.

He's.....not a good hockey player?

Speed and compete is fine....for a 4th line center. Every piece of analytics tells us he's not good great in his own zone, doesn't create offense, and is only good when he's surrounded by good players.

Maybe Krueger is right and everyone else is wrong. But I'd really like to see them bring in a better 3C option.

 

[Fjordsen]

It...doesn't matter if there was competition?

Wennberg, a much better fit, signed for the same on a one year term. Derek Grant, signed for 1.5M

Derek Brassard is still unsigned

Erik Haula is still unsigned.

Bonino got traded for a song.

Are you sure all these players wanted to play Buffalo? Maybe there was interest, especially since they wrote about Haula more than once. We had nothing to offer for Bonino if they wanted to trade him for a player like Kunin.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Are you sure all these players wanted to play Buffalo? Maybe there was interest, especially since they wrote about Haula more than once. We had nothing to offer for Bonino if they wanted to trade him for a player like Kunin.

Only one of them (or a whole bunch others bottom six players not listed) needed to be willing to come to Buffalo. Only one out of many. And we even paid Eakins more than players better than him received.

After a ton of players were not qualified, there were numerous very cheap options available. Adams chose poorly.

Maybe it will work out but he chose objectively one of the worst bottom six guys available and even overpaid for two years.

 

[Fjordsen]

Only one of them (or a whole bunch others bottom six players not listed) needed to be willing to come to Buffalo. Only one out of many. And we even paid Eakins more than players better than him received.

After a ton of players were not qualified, there were numerous very cheap options available. Adams chose poorly.

Maybe it will work out but he chose objectively one of the worst bottom six guys available and even overpaid for two years.

Quite controversial, I disagree

 

[The Norris Division]

Great GM, happy with him

So far I am absolutely thrilled with the Eric Staal trade and the signings of Eakin, Hall and Rieder.
Having said that, if we leave the goalie position as is, this will almost be the same gross negligence that Botts deserved for never addressing the 2C position. This team although not perfect, would be very competitive with a Korpisalo or Kuemper caliber of goalie.

 

[joshjull]

Only one of them (or a whole bunch others bottom six players not listed) needed to be willing to come to Buffalo. Only one out of many. And we even paid Eakins more than players better than him received.

After a ton of players were not qualified, there were numerous very cheap options available. Adams chose poorly.

Maybe it will work out but he chose objectively one of the worst bottom six guys available and even overpaid for two years.

I think you need to better understand what they’re doing. You still might not like it but at least you’ll better understand it. They’re building the team Kruger wants.

Krueger has had a big hand in most of these signings. He was looking for specific types of guys. In Eakin’s case he said they wanted him because he’s a character guy in the room, a leader and had winning experience. They weren’t looking for a generic depth guy they could sign on a value deal. It very well may have taken that type of deal to get Eakin to come here over other choices. Maybe didn’t, I don’t know.

I don’t know if it was a good idea or not. But Kreuger is also why we got Hall. I’m willing to wait and see the full picture of what he's trying to. Then see how the parts fit (Or don’t) with each other before passing judgement.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

I think you need to better understand what they’re doing. You still might not like it but at least you’ll better understand it. They’re building the team Kruger wants.

Krueger has had a big hand in most of these signings. He was looking for specific types of guys. In Eakin’s case he said they wanted him because he’s a character guy in the room, a leader and had winning experience. They weren’t looking for a generic depth guy they could sign on a value deal. It very well may have taken that type of deal to get Eakin to come here over other choices. Maybe didn’t, I don’t know.

I don’t know if it was a good idea or not. But Kreuger is also why we got Hall. I’m willing to wait and see the full picture of what he's trying to. Then see how the parts fit (Or don’t) with each other before passing judgement.

Krueger is clearly a great motivator and recruiter and has a big hand in the teams player personnel choices.

Choosing players he knows, likes personally, or has had past experience with is all well and good when its Taylor Hall but not everyone that fits that mold is as good as Taylor Hall, or even necessarily a good role player. I just hope it doesn't cloud his judgment or narrow his field of vision.

 

[TehDoak]

I think you need to better understand what they’re doing. You still might not like it but at least you’ll better understand it. They’re building the team Kruger wants.

Krueger has had a big hand in most of these signings. He was looking for specific types of guys. In Eakin’s case he said they wanted him because he’s a character guy in the room, a leader and had winning experience. They weren’t looking for a generic depth guy they could sign on a value deal. It very well may have taken that type of deal to get Eakin to come here over other choices. Maybe didn’t, I don’t know.

I don’t know if it was a good idea or not. But Kreuger is also why we got Hall. I’m willing to wait and see the full picture of what he's trying to. Then see how the parts fit (Or don’t) with each other before passing judgement.

Krueger is clearly a great motivator and recruiter and has a big hand in the teams player personnel choices.

Choosing players he knows, likes personally, or has had past experience with is all well and good when its Taylor Hall but not everyone that fits that mold is as good as Taylor Hall, or even necessarily a good role player. I just hope it doesn't cloud his judgment or narrow his field of vision.

The issue with all of this is that Krueger, much like Adams, has zero track record of building a NHL team. He has zero proof of concept or success at a professional level. Sure, he had some success in the Austrian hockey league and some success running the Swiss national team (note: his success was that the swiss teams QUALIFIED for the olympics and WCs, not any actual winning), however, the bar to entry in the NHL is understandably MUCH higher.

All this is hinging on Krueger being able to succeed in the NHL, which is going to take a lot more than a 'positive mindset' or whatever platitude he's spewing today.

I know this is a thread about Adams, but the offseason moves have a clear Krueger influence to them, which is, at a minimum, is disturbing. It's not like we have a seasoned vet coach with years of proven experience and systems to work through and a deep knowledge of active NHL players and rosters. We have a coach who

A) Has never made the playoffs
B) Wasn't just not a head coach the last 6 years, not in the NHL for 6 years, he wasn't even in Hockey for 6 years.

Yet our GM is basically giving him his wishlist of players despite there being a disconnect between what the team needs are and what players they are adding.

We can all high five Adams for the Staal trade and signing Hall, but as I've said in other threads, this team had 5 major needs going into the offseason (Center depth, Scoring depth, defensive makeup, goaltending, and special teams)

This offseason:

1. Center depth - Partially Addressed (Staal for Johanssen is an obvious upgrade, Eakin in/Larsson out is at best neutral, if not a net negative)
2. Scoring depth - I'll give this one a fully addressed. Adding Staal and Hall clearly improves us in that area
3. Defensive Makeup - Completely unchanged. The depth signings don't address this at all
4. Goaltending - Unchanged
5. Special teams: PP potentially is better with better forwards. PK is probably about the same.

At best, I'd say Adams is halfway done with turning this from a lotto team to a playoff team.

 

[SabresFan26]

The issue with all of this is that Krueger, much like Adams, has zero track record of building a NHL team. He has zero proof of concept or success at a professional level. Sure, he had some success in the Austrian hockey league and some success running the Swiss national team (note: his success was that the swiss teams QUALIFIED for the olympics and WCs, not any actual winning), however, the bar to entry in the NHL is understandably MUCH higher.

All this is hinging on Krueger being able to succeed in the NHL, which is going to take a lot more than a 'positive mindset' or whatever platitude he's spewing today.

I know this is a thread about Adams, but the offseason moves have a clear Krueger influence to them, which is, at a minimum, is disturbing. It's not like we have a seasoned vet coach with years of proven experience and systems to work through and a deep knowledge of active NHL players and rosters. We have a coach who

A) Has never made the playoffs
B) Wasn't just not a head coach the last 6 years, not in the NHL for 6 years, he wasn't even in Hockey for 6 years.

Yet our GM is basically giving him his wishlist of players despite there being a disconnect between what the team needs are and what players they are adding.

We can all high five Adams for the Staal trade and signing Hall, but as I've said in other threads, this team had 5 major needs going into the offseason (Center depth, Scoring depth, defensive makeup, goaltending, and special teams)

This offseason:

1. Center depth - Partially Addressed (Staal for Johanssen is an obvious upgrade, Eakin in/Larsson out is at best neutral, if not a net negative)
2. Scoring depth - I'll give this one a fully addressed. Adding Staal and Hall clearly improves us in that area
3. Defensive Makeup - Completely unchanged. The depth signings don't address this at all
4. Goaltending - Unchanged
5. Special teams: PP potentially is better with better forwards. PK is probably about the same.

At best, I'd say Adams is halfway done with turning this from a lotto team to a playoff team.

I'd say defensive makeup and goaltending are the only things lacking right now. Center depth is average.


Eakin and Reider will help the PK
We need goaltending to improve in the worse way. Hopefully Ullmark takes a big step forward.
Defensive make up with better forwards should help plus young guys developing.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'd say defensive makeup and goaltending are the only things lacking right now. Center depth is average.

Eakin and Reider will help the PK
We need goaltending to improve in the worse way. Hopefully Ullmark takes a big step forward.
Defensive make up with better forwards should help plus young guys developing.

I wouldn't bank on Eakin helping on the PK.

Vegas saw their PK get worse YOY and Eakin's PK time went up YOY.

 

[Chainshot]

The place Adams could find help on the PK is by replacing Hutton first and foremost.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

The place Adams could find help on the PK is by replacing Hutton first and foremost.

I am annoyed that he hasn't done anything about this, yet. It's our most pressing need at this moment. I mean, defense is still a mess, but hutton is cooked.

 

[BloFan4Life]

I am annoyed that he hasn't done anything about this, yet. It's our most pressing need at this moment. I mean, defense is still a mess, but hutton is cooked.

What do you expect for him to do? He is under contract.

 

[Chainshot]

I am annoyed that he hasn't done anything about this, yet. It's our most pressing need at this moment. I mean, defense is still a mess, but hutton is cooked.

I am of the mind that the complete cap gridlock around the league may be to blame there. I doubt they want to park Hutton in Rochester and take on salary. But at the same time no one is likely eager to eat Hutton’s contract.

 

[flashsabre]

I am of the mind that the complete cap gridlock around the league may be to blame there. I doubt they want to park Hutton in Rochester and take on salary. But at the same time no one is likely eager to eat Hutton’s contract.

This is exactly it. TB have to shed about $10 million so they can sign their RFAs and apparently Arizona management wants them to shed $15 million but no one is willing to take on money or has the space to take on money in this environment.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Thrilled to have Eakins as our 3C. Love his speed and compete.

Sounds like the coach shares the same opinion.

 

[1point21Gigawatts]

What do you expect for him to do? He is under contract.

I agree that it's a tough situation, but not addressing the issue isn't a solution. I know they don't want to disrespect a vet by sending him down to the minors and paying his salary (how does that work, btw, if there is no AHL season this year? or has the AHL confirmed they are playing?). Pegulas also weren't likely to greenlight a buyout. But if we are trying to prove to fans and our superstar that we have the means to make the post season, you have to do something even if it's the unpopular option of sending him down. Not like FAs are clamoring to come here anyways.

I am of the mind that the complete cap gridlock around the league may be to blame there. I doubt they want to park Hutton in Rochester and take on salary. But at the same time no one is likely eager to eat Hutton’s contract.

Agreed. The frustrating part for me is the fact that so many goaltenders were available this offseason. We could have seriously made an upgrade. I agree that they probably don't want to bury him and pay that salary, but what other options are there if you are looking to win games in what is likely a shortened season?

 

[FormerSabresFan]

I am of the mind that the complete cap gridlock around the league may be to blame there. I doubt they want to park Hutton in Rochester and take on salary. But at the same time no one is likely eager to eat Hutton’s contract.

I'm still holding out hope GMKA is waiting out ARI for the price to come down on their goalies...supposedly the price is high right now.

They're also looking to shed salary though...maybe something around Raanta/Kuemper @ $4.5 for Hutton 50% retained, Mittelstadt, and 2021 2nd would get them to bite.

Cuts their salary in half roughly, a promising young prospect, and a 2021 2nd (they had a 2nd revoked for breaking NHL rules)...in exchange for a #1a/b goalie and for taking back Hutton.

From there, if we can trade a RHD (Miller?) for picks we can fit salary.

And then trade another RHD (Risto/Montour?) for a LHD equivalent or better - ideally a defense first, shutdown guy.

Would be nice if we could move those D-men around first of course but I suspect the trades talks slowing down keeps us from pulling the trigger on a goalie move....for now.