The Sabres GM and Front Office Thread

[Fezzy126]

Agree

How many of our issues are really because the guy was a first timer?

Most of the dumb things the GMs have done, have been blatantly obvious. Just because the theme has been first timers doesn't mean that's the issue

You'll never hear me cry for experience. Just for fun I checked the current list of GMs and by my math 75% of the league employs first-time GMs, including most of the best run organizations:

Anaheim Ducks	Pat Verbeek	First-Timer
Boston Bruins	Don Sweeney	First-Timer
Buffalo Sabres	Kevyn Adams	First-Timer
Calgary Flames	Craig Conroy	First-Timer
Carolina Hurricanes	Eric Tulsky	First-Timer
Chicago Blackhawks	Kyle Davidson	First-Timer
Colorado Avalanche	Chris MacFarland	First-Timer
Columbus Blue Jackets	Don Waddell	Retread
Dallas Stars	Jim Nill	First-Timer
Detroit Red Wings	Steve Yzerman	Retread
Edmonton Oilers	Stan Bowman	Retread
Florida Panthers	Bill Zito	First-Timer
Los Angeles Kings	Rob Blake	First-Timer
Minnesota Wild	Bill Guerin	First-Timer
Montreal Canadiens	Kent Hughes	First-Timer
Nashville Predators	Barry Trotz	First-Timer
New Jersey Devils	Tom Fitzgerald	First-Timer
New York Islanders	Lou Lamoriello	Retread (Not renewed)
New York Rangers	Chris Drury	First-Timer
Ottawa Senators	Steve Staios	First-Timer
Philadelphia Flyers	Daniel Briere	First-Timer
Pittsburgh Penguins	Kyle Dubas	Retread
San Jose Sharks	Mike Grier	First-Timer
Seattle Kraken	Jason Botterill	Retread
St. Louis Blues	Doug Armstrong	Retread
Tampa Bay Lightning	Julien BriseBois	First-Timer
Toronto Maple Leafs	Brad Treliving	Retread
Utah Hockey Club	Bill Armstrong	First-Timer
Vancouver Canucks	Patrik Allvin	First-Timer
Vegas Golden Knights	Kelly McCrimmon	First-Timer
Washington Capitals	Chris Patrick	First-Timer
Winnipeg Jets	Kevin Cheveldayoff	First-Timer

I'd much rather poach an assistant GM from a well run organization (Terry if you're reading this - NOT the Penguins), and then start developing front office talent here.

 

[debaser66]

So a few more days and then we assume he’s back in the sane capacity

Was that a Freudian slip

 

[Chainshot]

You'll never hear me cry for experience. Just for fun I checked the current list of GMs and by my math 75% of the league employs first-time GMs, including most of the best run organizations:

Anaheim Ducks	Pat Verbeek	First-Timer
Boston Bruins	Don Sweeney	First-Timer
Buffalo Sabres	Kevyn Adams	First-Timer
Calgary Flames	Craig Conroy	First-Timer
Carolina Hurricanes	Eric Tulsky	First-Timer
Chicago Blackhawks	Kyle Davidson	First-Timer
Colorado Avalanche	Chris MacFarland	First-Timer
Columbus Blue Jackets	Don Waddell	Retread
Dallas Stars	Jim Nill	First-Timer
Detroit Red Wings	Steve Yzerman	Retread
Edmonton Oilers	Stan Bowman	Retread
Florida Panthers	Bill Zito	First-Timer
Los Angeles Kings	Rob Blake	First-Timer
Minnesota Wild	Bill Guerin	First-Timer
Montreal Canadiens	Kent Hughes	First-Timer
Nashville Predators	Barry Trotz	First-Timer
New Jersey Devils	Tom Fitzgerald	First-Timer
New York Islanders	Lou Lamoriello	Retread (Not renewed)
New York Rangers	Chris Drury	First-Timer
Ottawa Senators	Steve Staios	First-Timer
Philadelphia Flyers	Daniel Briere	First-Timer
Pittsburgh Penguins	Kyle Dubas	Retread
San Jose Sharks	Mike Grier	First-Timer
Seattle Kraken	Jason Botterill	Retread
St. Louis Blues	Doug Armstrong	Retread
Tampa Bay Lightning	Julien BriseBois	First-Timer
Toronto Maple Leafs	Brad Treliving	Retread
Utah Hockey Club	Bill Armstrong	First-Timer
Vancouver Canucks	Patrik Allvin	First-Timer
Vegas Golden Knights	Kelly McCrimmon	First-Timer
Washington Capitals	Chris Patrick	First-Timer
Winnipeg Jets	Kevin Cheveldayoff	First-Timer

I'd much rather poach an assistant GM from a well run organization (Terry if you're reading this - NOT the Penguins), and then start developing front office talent here.

Almost all of the first-timers are first long-term assistant GM's. Then a few of them have their former bosses above them - Allvin, McCrimmon, Trotz, MacFarland, Zito - so there is someone to turn to for guidance and another experience person in the chain of command.

 

[Fezzy126]

Almost all of the first-timers are first long-term assistant GM's. Then a few of them have their former bosses above them - Allvin, McCrimmon, Trotz, MacFarland, Zito - so there is someone to turn to for guidance and another experience person in the chain of command.

Very true, and a big reason I've long been a fan of an advisor role, a la someone like Dudley. Although since that ship sailed I really don't have many great ideas left...

 

[Jacob582]

I think Pegula will move Adams over to the business side of things. Keep him away from the hockey department.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I think Pegula will move Adams over to the business side of things. Keep him away from the hockey department.

Hmmmm, not so sure about that...

Sabres hire T’Wolves’ Vernon as Chief Commercial Officer

Vernon will will oversee ticketing, sponsorship and business intelligence for the NHL team and report to Buffalo Sabres COO Pete Guelli.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[ValJamesDuex]

duplicate

 

[bodechek]

The way the Pegula's run the Buffalo Sabres, what experienced GM would want to take job?

 

[Jacob582]

The way the Pegula's run the Buffalo Sabres, what experienced GM would want to take job?

No players, no coaches, and no GM's want to come here.

Somehow they changed Lindy's mind.

 

[jc17]

No players, no coaches, and no GM's want to come here.

Somehow they changed Lindy's mind.

Very few people are turning down a head coach or gm job unless they have other offers at the time for the same role

 

[Tatanka]

No players, no coaches, and no GM's want to come here.

Somehow they changed Lindy's mind.

He was cheap (NJ is paying most of his salary) and he likely had no other offers. Lindy lives in the area and wasn’t a hard sell. Wouldn’t be hard to offer him something to continue his career. Do not think that is a great example.

 

[Jacob582]

Very few people are turning down a head coach or gm job unless they have other offers at the time for the same role

That's my point. Anybody good and experienced is going somewhere else.

 

[jc17]

That's my point. Anybody good and experienced is going somewhere else.

Coaches maybe, but seems like GMs don't move super frequently so I don't see that being a huge issue.

 

[Dubi Doo]

Still not fired? Check back tomorrow I guess.

At this rate, just check back next offseason.

 

[Jim Bob]

Of all the names I could not see Pegula employing, Lou is near the top of the list.

 

[Chainshot]

Of all the names I could not see Pegula employing, Lou is near the top of the list.

I can't see Lou as GM at his age. I also deeply question his ability regarding contracts. Those deals for the Islanders, all that trade protection... so many unmoveable players.

EF mentioning Trotz though... the guy had just fallen out after taking the Caps to the Cup. He was a free asset. Remember someone around here wanting a certain team to throw the bag of cash at him and ditch the overmatched doofus HC after 1 year which had people defending retaining Phil because it was only one season. Opportunity costs - imagine Trotz installing some semblance of defensively responsible play and squeezing more out of their goaltending? All because of a lot of "oh hey, let's keep the bumble because maybe, kinda, he might one day be better".

 

[Jim Bob]

I can't see Lou as GM at his age. I also deeply question his ability regarding contracts. Those deals for the Islanders, all that trade protection... so many unmoveable players.

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."

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

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."

Also, good luck resigning Tuch with Lou and his anti beard fixation

 

[May Day 10]

Pegula would never hire Lamoriello. Lamoriello is too strong of a personality and wouldnt tolerate daily phone calls.

Lamoriello is up there in years. Don't think I would really be in a rush for him to perform GM duties. If he was interested in a 10,000-foot overhead position where he can mold the hockey program, I would be all for it.

 

[sabremike]

Of all the names I could not see Pegula employing, Lou is near the top of the list.

Friedman is such a clueless hack. Trotz was a no brainer hire who was so great he got results in spite of LOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUU's mind boggling idiocy and endless stupid moves until it finally became too much.

 

[sabremike]

Pegula would never hire Lamoriello. Lamoriello is too strong of a personality and wouldnt tolerate daily phone calls.

Lamoriello is up there in years. Don't think I would really be in a rush for him to perform GM duties. If he was interested in a 10,000-foot overhead position where he can mold the hockey program, I would be all for it.

Please trust me on this: YOU WANT LOU NOWHERE NEAR YOUR ORGANIZATION.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Buffalo does need a Lou-type person to be president, so I could see why people might make the connection. But Lou is obviously not the guy.

Wadell would’ve been perfect.

 

[Jim Bob]

Also, good luck resigning Tuch with Lou and his anti beard fixation

Well, it was because Lou loved the NY Yankees and they got rid of it this year...

 

[toddkaz]

Isn't Lou like 82 years old? We need someone who can at least walk up a flight of stairs without taking a breather.

 

[Jim Bob]

Buffalo does need a Lou-type person to be president, so I could see why people might make the connection. But Lou is obviously not the guy.

Wadell would’ve been perfect.

The #1 job for a POHO of the Buffalo Sabres will be to make Terry "feel heard." That is not something that I could imagine Lou doing.

That is one reason why the idea of Kevyn Adams to the POHO role could make sense. I think he could be a solid buffer that allows the GM to focus on building the roster and then KA is the person that makes Terry "feel heard."

I would be shocked if it happened, but Jarmo as GM and Kevyn as the "Terry whisperer" POHO wouldn't be the worst FO "shakeup" that gets an outside voice and an experienced GM in here.