The Sabres GM and Front Office Thread, Eric Staal hired as Special Asst. to the GM; Jarmo Kekäläinen hired as Senior Advisor

[yasky]

So, anyone wanna sponsor my summer tennis road trip itinerary so I can convince Jessica of the merits of a President of Hockey Operations?

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Dregs on Sabres Live: Sabres status as of yesterdays changes is status quo. Feels if they were going to do the rumored senior advisor addition they would of done that by now. Staal could be the start of hockey operations rebuild. Does not see a change of Adams at the top anytime soon.

Marty mentioned he doesn't see how a senior advisor reporting under Adams would work.

 

[THUNDERBURST]

Dregs on Sabres Live: Sabres status as of yesterdays changes is status quo. Feels if they were going to do the rumored senior advisor addition they would of done that by now. Staal could be the start of hockey operations rebuild. Does not see a change of Adams at the top anytime soon.

Marty mentioned he doesn't see how a senior advisor reporting under Adams would work.

We are doomed.

 

[BFLO]

If the org thinks any Sabres fan wants to see Staal in any propaganda videos, then they are truly completely out of touch. He is basically a Sabres villain between the ECF and his no-show as a player here (not to mention some of his private opinions that many people don’t like).

It would be like hiring Darcy Tucker or Tie Domi to be a PR person for the Sabres. Just brain dead decision making.

Milan Lucic and Brett Hull weren't available, so we settled for Staal.

 

[old kummelweck]

I think that is more hopium that really isn't hopium, if you think about it.

Funny how Baker Fairburn had a similar hot take. That these additions to the front office can be eventual replacements or at least visibility beyond Adams line of communication to Pegula, and compared it to the Bills situation a few years ago with McDermott.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Eric Staal has zero coaching or scouting or managerial experience.

Of course we hired him.

He has like 18 years in NHL. Winning it all. He has long experience and played here. He will be a good addition. Need to get a chance to start also,

 

[DapperCam]

He has like 18 years in NHL. Winning it all. He has long experience and played here. He will be a good addition. Need to get a chance to start also,

Wayne Gretzky was famously a great coach because his skills as a player transferred directly to coaching skills.

 

[OkimLom]

But he’s Kev bestest friend. Isn’t that what really matters

Seeing how Kev has responded to things that mean things to Sabres fans, like the playoff drought…yes, that’s what really matters.

 

[OkimLom]

He has like 18 years in NHL. Winning it all. He has long experience and played here. He will be a good addition. Need to get a chance to start also,

Based on what?

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Wayne Gretzky was famously a great coach because his skills as a player transferred directly to coaching skills.

True , you never know but sure it goes both ways. Would like Rob Brind'Amour as coach . What box play does Carolina use ? They are really aggressive and good

 

[Ehran]

Based on what?

I believe it was Baker & Fairburn that said that many former players that transition into the front office role started out in a similar manner. The NHL, whether we like it or not, is an "old boys club" and these connections are how the vast, vast, majority of former players get into the management club.

He's basically an intern, and yes IMO his playing experience and knowledge of what is required to win at the NHL level will help him. He is, already, much better known and respected around the league than KA ever was or will be (at least, respected wise)

Does he have the intelligence, willingness, and character to succeed? No clue. But its not like his hiring is out of the norm for the NHL.

Now... the "Senior Advisor" position will be more telling of the trajectory for the front office in my opinion. If KA gets a "yes man" of his own, similar to how he is for Pegula, we're f***ed.

I was shocked and dismayed at this hire originally but I think that's more of my hopes that the front office will get seriously rearranged. That might still happen, though I doubt it, but for now I'll give Staal a chance.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Dregs on Sabres Live: Sabres status as of yesterdays changes is status quo. Feels if they were going to do the rumored senior advisor addition they would of done that by now. Staal could be the start of hockey operations rebuild. Does not see a change of Adams at the top anytime soon.

Marty mentioned he doesn't see how a senior advisor reporting under Adams would work.

good f***ing lord. they're not even pretending anymore.

 

[OkimLom]

True , you never know but sure it goes both ways. Would like Rob Brind'Amour as coach . What box play does Carolina use ? They are really aggressive and good

Or you know how Adams was a middling player was a fringe low level player that had below average success, and now look at him as a GM…

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

good f***ing lord. they're not even pretending anymore.

I don’t know. I don’t think dreger knows anythjmg of substance about the Sabres and that sounds like he spitballing like usual. If nothing happens, it wouldn’t surprise me, but I also wouldn’t take his word for anything right now… Most of the information he gets about things that happened with the sabres is from the other side not from Buffalo.

 

[Selanne00008]

Or you know how Adams was a middling player was a fringe low level player that had below average success, and now look at him as a GM…

Is that a compliment of KA I hear? Calling him a fringe GM?

 

[LamaTabootTaboot]

I think it is a general philosophy of that sock-head owner that everyone is welcome to weigh in on many areas. Hence, the report that Appert has been more intimately involved with scouting and roster construction and also on video at the deadline war room and such. You see a lot of these staff/managers jump around from one realm to another, like Nightingale and Crowe. Don't forget Ruff's influence too, as well as previously mentioned sock-head owner. Lots of collaboration.
Staal is just another voice. Maybe he will do it unbathed from his couch, slumped over and mumbling like his introductory video, but the first idea that Pegula feels is a good one, he is going to rocket up the ladder.

My sincere hope is that interviewing with Senior Advisors, Pegula hears some different perspectives on how a front office is run and decides on more changes.

My initial impression is that this is more about checking boxes to appease fans than any actual changes. I don't expect Staal to be seen a lot except in some offseason propaganda videos. (I expect him to be present at the draft and likely the start of the season. and not a lot after that) The way the senior advisor has been described (as someone who reports to Kevyn), it feels like this will almost be phone consults when Kevyn has questions.

They are clearly shooting themselves in the foot with bringing back Adams, I'll reserve judgement on these "hires" until we see how its being used in practicality. But...the big error has already been made. This is akin to picking the stereo for your 2 seat sports car when you need to move a family of six. Sure, you can pick a nice stereo, but whats the point when the car won't do what you need it to do.

Just sort of thinking about this more.

I think there is a chance Pegula believes that his model of leadership works because the Bills are successful. (even though it doesn't and he gets played by McBeane) So he is doubling down on it with the Sabres, and it is just a matter of time.

So even if Adams fails, they are hiring somebody to be the Senior Advisor to roll up to Shevyn, who is like minded, and fits in well with the plan/vision already in place from these smooth brains. That way when they fire Kevyn almost nothing changes and it is seamless. The task is basically for Kevyn to go hire a replacement who is amicable to the current path, can replace him, but also was a GM before so the rest of us can stop bitching, and Terry/Forton/Appert can have somebody with a better resume cosign their terrible vision for this franchise.

 

[Sabresbyswords104]

Or you know how Adams was a middling player was a fringe low level player that had below average success, and now look at him as a GM…

Think they make the playoffs next season. If we do would you have Adams if you know they make it or another one making it ? They be in

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

I can't see Lou being employed in any role with the Sabres because I cannot see him being a guy that would make Terry "feel heard."

Oh Lou will make terry feel heard, whether terry will still employ Lou after he lets terry know he was heard is different question

 

[Jim Bob]

Oh Lou will make terry feel heard, whether terry will still employ Lou after he lets terry know he was heard is different question

If there is one former GM that I could not see taking this job, it is Lou.

Reporting to Adams and making Terry feel heard are not things Lou is likely to have any interest in.

 

[OkimLom]

I believe it was Baker & Fairburn that said that many former players that transition into the front office role started out in a similar manner. The NHL, whether we like it or not, is an "old boys club" and these connections are how the vast, vast, majority of former players get into the management club.

He's basically an intern, and yes IMO his playing experience and knowledge of what is required to win at the NHL level will help him. He is, already, much better known and respected around the league than KA ever was or will be (at least, respected wise)

Does he have the intelligence, willingness, and character to succeed? No clue. But its not like his hiring is out of the norm for the NHL.

Now... the "Senior Advisor" position will be more telling of the trajectory for the front office in my opinion. If KA gets a "yes man" of his own, similar to how he is for Pegula, we're f***ed.

I was shocked and dismayed at this hire originally but I think that's more of my hopes that the front office will get seriously rearranged. That might still happen, though I doubt it, but for now I'll give Staal a chance.

I'm aware, I touched upon that earlier in the thread today.

But I was questioning how someone can already declare it's going to be a good addition when the guy has limited to no experience in a role he's been hired for. Their success as a player doesn't mean it will be an instant success, especially when working for this organization. I can understand saying one hopes it will be a good hire.

 

[Mattilaus]

Think they make the playoffs next season. If we do would you have Adams if you know they make it or another one making it ? They be in

This is not really something we need to worry about right now.

But sure, let's say we make it. Fire Adams. I do not care if we make it. Making the playoffs by the skin of your teeth 1 year out of 6 is not good enough. He needs to be gone regardless of the results next season.

 

[LamaTabootTaboot]

So, anyone wanna sponsor my summer tennis road trip itinerary so I can convince Jessica of the merits of a President of Hockey Operations?

I am more for bringing signs to any Terry Pegula owned sporting events that call out Pegula, Adams, and/or the Sabres. Especially the Bills given the monster that is the NFL. Start asking McBeane about what their temperatures are on the whole thing and why is one org so successful and the other not given that the same guy is in charge of both.

Dregs on Sabres Live: Sabres status as of yesterdays changes is status quo. Feels if they were going to do the rumored senior advisor addition they would of done that by now. Staal could be the start of hockey operations rebuild. Does not see a change of Adams at the top anytime soon.

Marty mentioned he doesn't see how a senior advisor reporting under Adams would work.

Sabres Live is basically state sponsored media. That is about as bad as it gets for them. Sheesh.

 

[sabremike]

Oh Lou will make terry feel heard, whether terry will still employ Lou after he lets terry know he was heard is different question

AND THANK f***ING GOD FOR THAT.

I would rather see Ralph Kreuger brought back into the organization than Lou. That is how absolutely horrible Lou is, calling him absolute rat poison is not a strong enough term.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Sabres Live is basically state sponsored media. That is about as bad as it gets for them. Sheesh.

Attack every non BN media report (thats now down to one person btw ahem) and podcast around here. You start to see a pattern

 

[LamaTabootTaboot]

Attack every non BN media report (thats now down to one person btw ahem) around here. You start to see a pattern

They are employed by the Sabres. They are hired to be hype men. There are reports of Terry trying to flex on who WGR keeps on the payroll let alone the actual organization.

The expectation is that they keep fans engaged and morale out of the dumpster. When those guys say stuff like "I don't understand the decision to..." or "I am not sure how that works..." It is about as bad of a critique as their paycheck allows.

They are no different than Chris Brown and Steve Tasker. They are paid homers.