The Sabres GM and Front Office Thread

[Ace]

Was this reported somewhere? Just curious where that info came from as I’ve seen it mentioned by a few people now. Thanks!

That week before the Sabres went on their bullshit late season run of backup goaltending and the highest shooting percentage in the league…someone laid out a ton of damning things about Adams that included him not wanting any experienced people around him which is why we don’t have anyone whose accomplished a goddamned thing in management. Basically that he surrounded himself with less qualified people even though there were experienced, highly qualified people who were interested in jobs. I don’t remember who it was. There was a week where everyone from Friedman to Marek to local guys just went in on this bullshit.

But I think it was a local reporter on the Marek show.

 

[Krieger Bot]

Botterill gets another shot as a GM with Francis promoted to POHO.

Now after a few days passed has anyone's feelings changed or Is that what Buffalo will do here? Promote Adams and Karmanos as GM?

Or do people see things differently? Here is management, what shifts do people see in the front office?

View attachment 1021122

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

 

[Der Jaeger]

This is proof that many people around hockey are really REALLY stupid. You would have to have severe brain damage to think Lou is anything but rat poison to any organization dumb enough to hire him, we wouldn't have a Barry Trotz to bail this ridiculous dinosaur out.

I haven’t paid much attention to the Islanders so I can’t really comment on what LL did there. From that perspective, it does look like he bailed them out.

I’d love to get your perspective on it, since you’re from the area and hear all the local information. Thanks

 

[ValJamesDuex]

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

Scathing but true

 

[Chainshot]

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

Thank you for laying all of that out. This is another post that should be gilded and nailed to the door of the arena. There is a reason why I keep talking about that they need more actual hockey minds around the team. There’s a decided lack of experience and lack of judgment. I understand that in a sport that tends to just plug former players into executive positions who might not be the brightest bulbs in the pack that sometimes going outside of that cluster of potential employees can be both risky and rewarding, for example, the Carolina Hurricanes current general manager. However… This brain drain predates Pegula. I know for a fact that some people who have never been paid for their scouting advice have been asked for scouting advice on junior players who wound up in the organization back when Regier was running the show. They don't have enough eyes who can find anything other than guys at the top of the draft.

This is also why I keep stressing they need to bring in someone from outside of the organization. The qualification of having just been a former player for that team is insufficient experience. They went down that path in the 90s and they were better hockey minds than what they have now in positions around those teams With the likes of Benning, Luce, van Boxmeer. Just being an ex player for this team does not qualify someone to be in a position to impact decision-making. This team has never won anything and it’s almost 20 years removed from having been competent and capable of winning anything.

They went from ex players to just people who lived in town.

They literally are getting what they paid for.

 

[Jim Bob]

That also assumes that Kevyn would be OK going outside the organization for his GM. Given that he was offered the chance to get an outside POHO when he was hired and declined.............I am rather pessimistic that he would look outside the organization for a GM.

If Kevyn fails upward, I'd place REAL good money on Karmanos or Forton being named GM. MAYBE possibly Ventura. No one from outside though.

I don't think Adams declined to get a POHO. That was a Pegula level decision.

Terry has consistently poo poo'd the idea of a POHO and said that he doesn't understand why anyone thinks there is a need for a POHO.

And the #1 reason is that hiring a POHO isn't efficient and economical.

 

[Dahlicious]

They went from ex players to just people who lived in town.

This is an absolutely wild sentence to digest.

 

[Chainshot]

This is an absolutely wild sentence to digest.

Hey, it's most of their development staff too. They are nearby. Not that they are necessarily good at what they are doing (not also that they are bad, but it does mean that the field of potential staff coaches is limited from the get go).

I don't think Adams declined to get a POHO. That was a Pegula level decision.

Terry has consistently poo poo'd the idea of a POHO and said that he doesn't understand why anyone thinks there is a need for a POHO.

And the #1 reason is that hiring a POHO isn't efficient and economical.

It's weird that while not necessarily efficient, having a team generate 2 or more playoff games per year would more than pay for that position. So in terms of economy, being a perennial loser denies them playoff gate every single year.

 

[Jim Bob]

New York Rangers sign general manager Chris Drury to multi-year contract extension | TSN

The New York Rangers have signed general manager Chris Drury to a multi-year contract extension on Wednesday.

www.tsn.ca

Scratch the idea of KA to POHO and Drury to GM off of the list of possibilities if they shake things up this offseason.

 

[Jim Bob]

Front office addition options for the Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres may be making changes to their front office. It's likely just some role changes but here are some outside options to consider.

www.expectedbuffalo.com

Chad has not one, but two Clarkson Golden Knights in this list!

 

[May Day 10]

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

This is what is so depressing. They have a whack pack of people running the show with an unqualified GM. The results have shown failure. Why not continue?

Crowe and Nightingale are the biggest head scratchers. Like almost everyone in the organization, these guys would not sniff lateral employment elsewhere if they were let go tomorrow. Yet, these guys are on track for further influence and promotion. These guys will likely be Jakubowski's successor for GM, around the time where whatever mid-level USDP coach is in Rochester to take over as head coach.

Its as if the Sabres' entire plan and everything they do is in order to never have to hire someone from outside the organization again at any upper or mid-level position. If they were the class of the league and they were developing talent on the executive side, that is one thing. All this is doing is creating a never-ending cycle of failure.

Nightingale coaches 2 Junior Sabres teams as well, because sure. I bet he has all the time in the world? Maybe he has to ensure his kids get to play? The Junior Sabres, at many age groups seem to have been wrecked by nepotism and politics in the same timeline as the Sabres.

 

[toddkaz]

Anyone know when Adams is meeting with Pegula?

 

[MOGlLNY]

Anyone know when Adams is meeting with Pegula?

I think EF said this weekend or early next week. After the NFL draft I assume.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

I need to make myself read this before every season so that I can make sure my expectations stay in the toilet for this team.

 

[MOGlLNY]

I need to make myself read this before every season so that I can make sure my expectations stay in the toilet for this team.

Jerry Forton's background is pretty f***ing bad too.

 

[THUNDERBURST]

Forton has some connections with Terry and also really likes the draft and his prospects. I don't want anyone from the organization to be the GM, especially Forton.

 

[May Day 10]

Forton has some connections with Terry and also really likes the draft and his prospects. I don't want anyone from the organization to be the GM, especially Forton.

Ultimately, there isn't 1 person that I know of in the organization who isn't highly replaceable. Pegula holds on and protects these people like they are all the top minds in the sport.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Ultimately, there isn't 1 person that I know of in the organization who isn't highly replaceable. Pegula holds on and protects these people like they are all the top minds in the sport.

I wish he still had another non-sport business where he could park all of these employees he loves so much personally, but don’t contribute to success on the Sabres.

I bet these guys would do better at securing drilling permits than operating a pro sports franchise.

 

[slip]

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

A complete nobody like Adams hiring a couple of complete nobodies like Crowe and Nightingale to run the scouting and analytics departments is precisely why this franchise has gone absolutely nowhere in the 5 years since.

You can't just move out Adams without discarding the entire staffing infrastructure he's assembled. Torch it all.

 

[Jim Bob]

Jerry Forton's background is pretty f***ing bad too.

Jerry Forton at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com staff profile of Jerry Forton, - Buffalo, NY, USA USA.

www.eliteprospects.com

I've seen worse.

Mike Grier at eliteprospects.com

Eliteprospects.com staff profile of Mike Grier, 1975-01-05 Detroit, MI, USA USA.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Dregs on his weekly appearance on wgr this morning said he expects "internal changes" and will leave it at that for now.

Also mentioned Holland, Jarmo, and Chiarelli in regards to the Islanders job and that they are looking for experience and mentioned it could be too big of job for Holland alone.

 

[jc17]

I genuinely hate to bring more negativity to this board, but lord almighty is that list depressing. Virtually no one on it has spent any time in an NHL front office other than the Terry Pegula Sabres.

Jakubowski was an assistant to Regier for 6 years. Then, he spent 4 years in the front office doing...something, and was randomly promoted to assistant GM.

Forton was an assistant coach in college when Garden Gloves hired him to be an assistant coach in the NHL. Then, when Garden Gloves was fired a year later, we just...made Forton a scout apparently? And a decade later he was promoted him to assistant GM because sure, why not?

Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State like 10 years ago. Let me just repeat that for emphasis. Jeremiah Crowe was an assistant coach at Buff State in 2014. He somehow ended up in Terry's orbit, and by 2022, presto, he was the Director of Professional Scouting for an NHL franchise. Just 8 years later.

But the cherry on top is Jason Nightingale, who is apparently the Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting. Which, is curious, since the webpage doesn't list a Director of Amateur Scouting. But even if someone actually does have that title, Nightingale is comically unqualified to be their assistant. Honestly, his CV is hilarious. In 2011-12, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame. The next year, he apparently wasn't even employed in hockey. He was probably coaching his kids' teams or something. Then...we hired him as an "analyst" in 2013-14, whatever that means. In 2018, analytics was all the rage, so Botterill decided we needed someone in charge of analytics. Enter our "analyst" -- Jason Nightingale! There's just one problem, at least as far as I know, he has no real experience in analytics. So by 2021, he wasn't in charge of that anymore. Oh -- but we didn't just fire him so he could move on with his life managing a Cinnabon. Oh no. Instead, he was promoted to the Assistant Director of Scouting. Never mind the fact that he had 0 experience as a scout at that point -- none. He is not a scout. He has never scouted anything. But this mattered not. He became the Assistant Director of Scouting, a title he still holds. Oh, and he also coaches 14U kids on the Junior Sabres, because sure.

Nightingale has a degree in data engineering or something, so while I've been critical with his role here, I don't think he's completely random. Although 100% agree that his removal from leading the department speaks volumes.

I'll be a broken record, but I hope people understand why this guy giving his thoughts on Jack Quinn's shot leading up to the 2020 draft still pisses me off 5 years later. He was apparently giving scouting input before even being handed the title of scout.

Also Beamish listed as "scout" went from intern, to analytics, to scout. I'm all about internal development but what are the odds....

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Ultimately, there isn't 1 person that I know of in the organization who isn't highly replaceable. Pegula holds on and protects these people like they are all the top minds in the sport.

A poll on this board would be at least as successful as the FO is at any decision they make. The E-O-S pressers is another example of the lack of accountability - KA rehashes the same BS, half the team actually has a presser, some of the comments hint at how they knew the FO wasn't actually going all-in on the team. It's a garbage operation. I have only started to watch hockey the last week, since there hasn't been anything worth damn to watch for the last six months.

 

[TehDoak]

I have no interest in Lou. 82 years old he probably takes afternoon naps.

But then again Adams and Lou probably could line up their naps together.

I'm pretty sure Lou would talk to Adams for about 15 minutes and make him chief western alaska hockey scout. Fully remote.

 

[Zman5778]

I'm pretty sure Lou would talk to Adams for about 15 minutes and make him chief western alaska hockey scout. Fully remote.

Wouldn't you rather that position be fully-in person?