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

[ValJamesDuex]

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 have a JOB like us all but I would not call them Shills. They have some good tidbits/hints/opinions at times if you actually listen.

As for the point Marty and Dregs made, that goes against what Freidman reported we will have to see what happens. Perhaps the Sabres PR team floated a impending Senior Advisor position to take pressure off of Adams and abysmal season ticket renewals ?

 

[OkimLom]

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

I'd get rid of Adams even if Buffalo made the playoffs as I don't trust him to handle long term standing of the Buffalo Sabres. But that's me.

IMO, they would be making the playoffs from a Wild Card slot. I don't see them locking in a top 3 division spot, and I don't see them being better at a consistent pace, than any of the current top 3 teams. I have a hard time, looking at the makeup of the team right now, of them being better than a lot of the contenders for a playoff spot. They might have a talent level that could be equal to other teams, but I don't see the consistent and overall play that carries over from game to game that makes them contenders.

 

[LamaTabootTaboot]

They have a JOB like us all but I would not call them a Shills. They have some food tidbits/hints at times if you actually listen.

I didn't call them shills. They are certainly just doing their jobs.

Which to bring it back around, was my entire point. You don't get much/any on air criticism from those two. That when they say something doesn't make sense, it is a reasonably large criticism from them because their employer prohibits them from saying more. They aren't shilling, they are doing their job. And when they subtly say something doesn't make hockey sense, that you have to read between the lines because it is a big deal.

I would bet my entire mortgage that Marty Biron thinks Adams should be out the door and a full front office rebuild is needed. That keeping Adams with Forton and Appert are all bad hockey decisions. But what you got on air was "I don't understand how that works" and that that statement is actually significant.

 

[OkimLom]

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

The pattern being that Buffalo media has terrible sources for actual information on the organization? I agree.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

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.

I mean, I’d sign Tucker to play for the current edition of the Sabres. At the current age that Tucker is.

That spazz was probably my second favourite player to watch after Barnaby.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I didn't call them shills. They are certainly just doing their jobs.

Which to bring it back around, was my entire point. You don't get much/any on air criticism from those two. That when they say something doesn't make sense, it is a reasonably large criticism from them because their employer prohibits them from saying more. They aren't shilling, they are doing their job. And when they subtly say something doesn't make hockey sense, that you have to read between the lines because it is a big deal.

I would bet my entire mortgage that Marty Biron thinks Adams should be out the door and a full front office rebuild is needed. That keeping Adams with Forton and Appert are all bad hockey decisions. But what you got on air was "I don't understand how that works" and that that statement is actually significant.

I was posting what they said on todays show, you took it on a tangent.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I will no longer be posting in this thread. Negativity, vitriol, and too many spoofers. Have a good summer everyone! VJD

 

[Archie Lee]

I don’t have any objection to a GM giving a former player or teammate a foot in the door. For a few reasons, some not hockey related, I would prefer someone other than Staal for the Sabres. But, in general it’s fine. What I object to is that Kevyn Adams is doing the hiring. There is no precedent for a GM to start his career with 5 straight years out of the playoffs, to then have “sustained success” (to use Kevin’s oft used term) with the same franchise. It has never happened in the post-expansion era of the NHL. Nothing about Adams and his career, suggests he will be the first. This is all just delaying the inevitable. It will be a year lost to the continued failures of what is now the lamest of lame-duck GM’s.

 

[sabremike]

I don’t have any objection to a GM giving a former player or teammate a foot in the door. For a few reasons, some not hockey related, I would prefer someone other than Staal for the Sabres. But, in general it’s fine. What I object to is that Kevyn Adams is doing the hiring. There is no precedent for a GM to start his career with 5 straight years out of the playoffs, to then have “sustained success” (to use Kevin’s oft used term) with the same franchise. It has never happened in the post-expansion era of the NHL. Nothing about Adams and his career, suggests he will be the first. This is all just delaying the inevitable. It will be a year lost to the continued failures of what is now the lamest of lame-duck GM’s.

It's not just another lost year, the consequences of crashing and burning this upcoming season are of franchise killing levels.

 

[Chainshot]

Even if Staal manages to be good at what he does - I keep coming back to Draper and Spezza as recent examples - there is no patience left for the fandom. There is no wiggle room on anything because of years of incompetence and lethargy.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Even if Staal manages to be good at what he does - I keep coming back to Draper and Spezza as recent examples - there is no patience left for the fandom. There is no wiggle room on anything because of years of incompetence and lethargy.

I'd be fine with it if he's a good addition. I'm way more ticked that Appert is getting showered with love, the coaching staff seems to be coming back, and Adams is still GM. So disappointing. I need to just become numb to this organization. It's disappointment after disappointment.

 

[Zman5778]

Even if Staal manages to be good at what he does - I keep coming back to Draper and Spezza as recent examples - there is no patience left for the fandom. There is no wiggle room on anything because of years of incompetence and lethargy.

For better or worse, it's clear that the front office and Pegula don't give a rip about what the fans think of the drought. They're doing it their way.

Normally, I'd applaud an organization for that.

 

[TehDoak]

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,

I'm all for adding to the brain trust. But the issue with the front office is lack of experience and knowledge. Not sure how someone with no experience fixes that.

 

[TehDoak]

For better or worse, it's clear that the front office and Pegula don't give a rip about what the fans think of the drought. They're doing it their way.

Normally, I'd applaud an organization for that.

I think its great to try new things and shake up the status quo on how to build teams. There are lots of ways to do things.

But...when you have 14 years showing you that your way of managing and building teams is wrong. So much so you can't even finish in the top 16 out of 32 teams, its time to find a proven formula.

This is just stubbornness, ego, and disrespect for the fans. They've lost a whole generation of new fans. My teens and 20s were the Hasek era and then the co-captain years. I can't imagine many kids born between 2002 and 2012 have fond memories of the team. Too young to really see the the post lockout team. Their earliest Sabres memories have been middling at best. They are all just bills fans and probably go to the Sabres games when tickets are $5 on stubhub.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Ya, okay, Terry values the guy who keeps him informed and involved. I get it.

But still, how many seasons of failure is tolerable before the axe inevitably falls? Year 6 is just over the horizon and there is no sign of impatience from the owner.

Meanwhile we have an underachieving, too young to succeed roster, and an ineffective, in some cases incompetent, coaching staff. It's so damn depressing.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Let’s be honest, if the Sabres made the playoffs once in the last few years, we wouldn’t be so critical of hiring Stall.

 

[Chainshot]

I'd be fine with it if he's a good addition. I'm way more ticked that Appert is getting showered with love, the coaching staff seems to be coming back, and Adams is still GM. So disappointing. I need to just become numb to this organization. It's disappointment after disappointment.

Oh, there is that too. Most teams can walk and chew gum. These guys manage to make the least effort into seeming herculean.

For better or worse, it's clear that the front office and Pegula don't give a rip about what the fans think of the drought. They're doing it their way.

Normally, I'd applaud an organization for that.

Eh, it's more that this guy was not only shit on the ice when he was in Buffalo, he was a quitter and little bitch about being traded to Buffalo. This is a guy they bring back?? If you are going for the whole "wants to be here/knows what it's like to be in Buffalo" angle, I'm sure there are plenty of shlubs in the alumni associate who still live locally who could do this same thing. And at least they didn't shit on the area on the way in or way out.

 

[MOGlLNY]

Let’s be honest, if the Sabres made the playoffs once in the last few years, we wouldn’t be so critical of hiring Stall.

If my aunt had nuts she’d be my uncle

 

[Ace]

Let’s be honest, if the Sabres made the playoffs once in the last few years, we wouldn’t be so critical of hiring Stall.

What's the point of this thought exercise, I wonder?

Not only have they not made the playoffs once in the last 14 years...they've managed to regress two years and counting.

Let me spoil this for you and anyone who needs it. No one cares that they hired Staal. Not one person. Even if you think you see someone critical of it...they aren't. You're just failing to see what they're actually saying.

People are rightfully upset that Staal was hired...BY KEVYN ADAMS.

Period.

Retaining Adams is a franchise destroying decision. No one gives a f*** who is sitting next to him as he sinks the ship in totality. They're mourning the loss of the goddamned ship.

 

[toddkaz]

Even if Staal manages to be good at what he does - I keep coming back to Draper and Spezza as recent examples - there is no patience left for the fandom. There is no wiggle room on anything because of years of incompetence and lethargy.

Fan loyalty is dwindling and boredom and routine keeps me coming back.

Before Pegula bought the team this was the greatest fan base in the NHL and TV ratings for a small market team were pulling viewers at the same level as the large market teams.

Thats all been destroyed.

 

[CrazyWayne]

They should honestly never announced Eric staal joining the front office, all it did was open him and the sabres up to be a bigger joke than already (unless they are now open to being a meme unlike when they had a money making meme in the palm trees slap them in the face and demand it to stop)

Eric staal should have been announced when at the draft a reporter asks why Eric staal is sitting at the sabres draft table

 

[Jacob582]

They should honestly never announced Eric staal joining the front office, all it did was open him and the sabres up to be a bigger joke than already (unless they are now open to being a meme unlike when they had a money making meme in the palm trees slap them in the face and demand it to stop)

Eric staal should have been announced when at the draft a reporter asks why Eric staal is sitting at the sabres draft table

It was to distract us from the "news" that Kevyn Adams was staying as GM.

 

[5 Minute Major]

What's the point of this thought exercise, I wonder?

Not only have they not made the playoffs once in the last 14 years...they've managed to regress two years and counting.

Let me spoil this for you and anyone who needs it. No one cares that they hired Staal. Not one person. Even if you think you see someone critical of it...they aren't. You're just failing to see what they're actually saying.

People are rightfully upset that Staal was hired...BY KEVYN ADAMS.

Period.

Retaining Adams is a franchise destroying decision. No one gives a f*** who is sitting next to him as he sinks the ship in totality. They're mourning the loss of the goddamned ship.

You need a f***ing Xanax.

 

[Mattilaus]

My issue with the Staal hire isn't him. It's that this is likely the only move they are going to see aside from the new strength and conditioning coach. This team tinkers around the edges all the time when its clear we need a major overhaul. In the words of Mr. Ehrmantraut, no more half measures.

 

[GellMann]

I have despised every single offseason this team has had since Eichel's rookie year ended. For loads of different reasons. But each offseason has been dogshit, obviously so, and led to failure in the subsequent season.

This offseason is already the f***ing worst one i've ever seen.