The 2024-2025 Roster Thread

[Zman5778]

I look at the situation of Kevyn Adams of having limitations more so than restrictions in terms of hockey moves. I don't think Kevyn is restricted to making any sort of moves to improve the team, but I do think for the bigger moves, Terry's influence is a factor in what Kevyn does in the final decision. Hell, I think there's a greater chance of Terry going to Kevyn asking if there are areas in which he can improve or where he thinks we can improve, and Kevyn being content where he is, than that of Terry declining Kevyn from making a minor trade or waiver claim.

If the reports are to be taken as word, Kevyn is very much a guy that may over-value his prospects, and being pretty stiff in holding that opinion with other GMs. When you have a guy like that, you're going to probably hear more stories of guys like that holding out to try and get more, to the point where GMs look elsewhere. We haven't heard anything that would point towards Kevyn being held back from Terry or anything that would resemble that.

Yep. I think what it comes down to is this: If Terry was getting in Kevyn's way of making roster moves, we would have heard SOMETHING from SOMEONE by now. I think "all" Terry wants is to be consulted.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading for Greenway." *explains how it helps*
Terry: OK.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading Savoie for McLeod" *explains logic*
Terry: OK.

Totally agreed that Kevyn is over-valuing what's on the roster and still starry-eyed about the ceilings of each of the young kids.......and still ignoring things like building an actual team instead of a collection of talent.

 

[Chainshot]

Yzerman?

There is no hint that Kyle Davidson is going anywhere in Chicago and this is going to be year 4 of him at the helm and well out of the playoffs.

 

[TageGod]

Yep. I think what it comes down to is this: If Terry was getting in Kevyn's way of making roster moves, we would have heard SOMETHING from SOMEONE by now. I think "all" Terry wants is to be consulted.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading for Greenway." *explains how it helps*
Terry: OK.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading Savoie for McLeod" *explains logic*
Terry: OK.

Totally agreed that Kevyn is over-valuing what's on the roster and still starry-eyed about the ceilings of each of the young kids.......and still ignoring things like building an actual team instead of a collection of talent.

Still obsessed with Cozens during the outside game against the Leafs.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Yep. I think what it comes down to is this: If Terry was getting in Kevyn's way of making roster moves, we would have heard SOMETHING from SOMEONE by now. I think "all" Terry wants is to be consulted.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading for Greenway." *explains how it helps*
Terry: OK.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading Savoie for McLeod" *explains logic*
Terry: OK.

Totally agreed that Kevyn is over-valuing what's on the roster and still starry-eyed about the ceilings of each of the young kids.......and still ignoring things like building an actual team instead of a collection of talent.

I think this is probably true, but I think it also leaves another part out. That's the part where KA can't spend beyond a certain limit unless somehow everyone in the room thinks it's a steal of a deal, including Pegula. The part where any knowledgeable GM wouldn't entertain an owner's input/approval of routine roster moves. That's where KA goes from being limited to restricted (which is semantics anyway). That's where KA goes from getting a chance despite no management experience, to being an unqualified yes-man with no success to show he still deserves the job. After five years, (really after 3-4) what has this guy done to justify keeping the gift that fell in his lap to begin with? The answer is nothing, and the only possible reason for that is because Pegula is directing and/or approving of how KA is running the org.

 

[jc17]

That would be a huge overpayment from Minnesota.

Face value yes, but I wonder if they could try to balance it out, could see it benefitting both teams. Both teams offload guys they seemingly don't have long term plans for. Avs get a guy who can contribute and has potential, Minnesota gets a decent C and presumably a very healthy add.

Mitts still passes the eye test for me. He plays aggressive defense and I didn't really see his speed as a significant department detriment. I watched an avs vs wild game, and while I'm a Rossi fan I don't think the current level of play is really that far apart. Dare I say Mitts might help Minnesota more. Granted, if Mitts speed is truly an issue in Colorado, I don't see Rossi being the guy to replace him

 

[toddkaz]

Yzerman?

You are right, I stand corrected but I would say Yzerman is much more of a special case than Adams given the history with the team. Detroit missed the playoffs by 1 point last year and are in a playoff position at the moment. At least there are some results.

 

[Fjordy]

You are right, I stand corrected but I would say Yzerman is much more of a special case than Adams given the history with the team. Detroit missed the playoffs by 1 point last year and are in a playoff position at the moment. At least there are some results.

Well, Adams also somehow missed the playoffs by one point, although after that he clearly took the wrong road.

 

[toddkaz]

Well, Adams also somehow missed the playoffs by one point, although after that he clearly took the wrong road.

And unfortunately he refused to build on it and went in the wrong direction.

 

[Irie]

Yep. I think what it comes down to is this: If Terry was getting in Kevyn's way of making roster moves, we would have heard SOMETHING from SOMEONE by now. I think "all" Terry wants is to be consulted.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading for Greenway." *explains how it helps*
Terry: OK.

Kevyn: "I'm thinking about trading Savoie for McLeod" *explains logic*
Terry: OK.

Totally agreed that Kevyn is over-valuing what's on the roster and still starry-eyed about the ceilings of each of the young kids.......and still ignoring things like building an actual team instead of a collection of talent.

It is very hard to imagine that any GM would actively work to keep costs down if he has full autonomy and a green light to spend, especially when the team hasn't made the playoffs in an eternity and the franchise is hemorrhaging fans. I also find it unimaginable that any GM would keep his job for five years with the current results unless his orders are to save money first and win second.

The Sabres are actually a good investment, as the franchise value is skyrocketing, but from a cash point of view, profits vs money dumped into the operating costs, the organization is a collosal money pit.

Terry's money spending priorities have 100% been on the Bills and not the Sabres since Kim has been out of the picture. If Adams was told to spend whatever necessary to win, I personally feel that this team would absolutely look substantially different. (Now, I don't know if Adams would be capable of actually building a winner, but I don't think there is anyway he builds the team the way he has, cutting costs left and right).

As far as the personnel decisions, we know Terry is in the meetings and we know Terry provides his opinions, and I have to assume that any owner that is that actively involved has at least as much say as any assistant GM. Adams has stated that he doesn't make decisions alone and that all decisions are weighed by the management team. The fact that most of his moves that bring in money have been paired with moves that shed similar amounts of payroll, I think the pattern is undeniable.

I also feel that some of the spending is forced by the narratives pushed by the fan base that Terry is cheap. If you buyout Skinner and save 7.5 million this season and then don't spend any of it, that isn't going to sit well with the fans. You sign Zucker to a one year 5M dollar deal and it still saves you money AND you get to claim you are trying.Adams' biggest job for Terry and the organization is to spin that into "See, Terry is not cheap". He takes the brunt of the heat and his ridiculous excuses are somewhat plausible. I think that is why he still has a job and why his job is safe.

 

[Chainshot]

I would assert that Kim‘s presence makes no difference to their spending. Terry was out of big spendingonce they bought the NFL team. That was before Kim‘s health crisis. She was still president of the whole Kit N Caboodle at that point.

 

[Ace]

The last time Pegula willingly added to spending in any meaningful way was when he was desperate to make Eichel happy and signed Hall.

Been a big load of nothing since then.

If you want to believe that’s a GM decision I don’t know what to tell you. The GM thinks having less hockey minds on staff and a payroll gap on the ice is the best way to win? And the owner who isn’t preventing spending and wants to win keeps him employed in spite of that failing to literal last place?

Sure Jan.