He's a new GM, new GMs have succeeded before. Jason Botterill had almost as much experience as Brandon Beane. One succeeded, one failed.

I like that Kevyn at least has significant managerial experience. I would demand that the org surround him with experienced individuals. The right experienced individuals.

But just because he's new doesn't mean he'll fail. There is zero data to suggest that he will, or won't.

He's here to stay for a while, embrace it or fight it, up to you. But at the very least, we're fans of this beleaguered franchise, let's just (frank)ing hope he works out.
- TheSabresTaco

No, the owners are the reason he’s going to fail.

The owners are the primary reason Botterill failed, and probably a big reason Murray did.

They. Are. The. Problem

Well... now he’s really not gonna have fans in the stands...
- Gr8daygo

they'll just have to show more 8 year olds flossing at every whistle. As a past-50 lifelong Sabres fan, the game presentation is just horrific. 8 year olds answering trivia questions.... I just cant wait,

No, the owners are the reason he’s going to fail.

The owners are the primary reason Botterill failed, and probably a big reason Murray did.

They. Are. The. Problem
- sbroads24

This....aaaaaaaaaaaaalll day....this

He's a new GM, new GMs have succeeded before. Jason Botterill had almost as much experience as Brandon Beane. One succeeded, one failed.

I like that Kevyn at least has significant managerial experience. I would demand that the org surround him with experienced individuals. The right experienced individuals.

But just because he's new doesn't mean he'll fail. There is zero data to suggest that he will, or won't.

He's here to stay for a while, embrace it or fight it, up to you. But at the very least, we're fans of this beleaguered franchise, let's just (frank)ing hope he works out.
- TheSabresTaco

surrounding him with experienced individuals comes at a cost and i'm not so sure an organization that wants to get leaner would consider something like that


it's the kevyn and ralph show, imo

No, the owners are the reason he’s going to fail.

The owners are the primary reason Botterill failed, and probably a big reason Murray did.

They. Are. The. Problem
- sbroads24

I mean, you really could be right. Here's to hoping KA and the Kraut operate like McBeane.

I mean, you really could be right. Here's to hoping KA and the Kraut operate like McBeane.
- TheSabresTaco

Listen man I’m not trying to argue I’m just seriously so down on this organization it’s not funny.

Since I read that Tim Graham article it’s just too painfully clear IMO it really doesn’t matter who is who until they get out of the way

Whats's next, the peanut vendor as Assist. GM. This organisation is such an embarrassment.

Well hope for the best, what else can you do. It's not like the Sabres control are lives. Can either be miserable about it or hope for the best. I hope for the best, they have some pieces, and the team can be fixed.

This is wron.

Sakic for example:

After he retired, Sakic decided to take time off from hockey and spent time with his family. In 2011, two years after his retirement, Sakic returned to the Avalanche to work in their front office. He was named an executive advisor and alternate governor for the team, effective at the end of the 2010–11 season. In his role as an advisor, Sakic would advise the team in hockey-related matters, and as an alternate governor, would represent the team at Board of Governors meetings.
- ImThatGuy[82]

An adviser is not a GM, or assistant GM so it is not wron, or wrong. An adviser is nice it means "yes, I will take that input, now, go to that league meeting I don't want to go to and be quiet"

even Paul Hamilton is critical of this.

He is never critical of teh Sabres.


Sounds like Peguals wanted to cut Scouting/Player Depts and Botts said no we need that.

Peguals said okay then see ya.
- ImThatGuy

Welp...
Settle not looking to bad for my new team

No, the owners are the reason he’s going to fail.

The owners are the primary reason Botterill failed, and probably a big reason Murray did.

They. Are. The. Problem
- sbroads24

Botterill and Murray made enough curious decisions that I can't just pin those decisions on ownership and absolve either GM of their own blame.

I am not saying the owners are good, at all, but the GM's had more than their fair share of ineptitude contributing to the failure.

Hopefully this will get some of you to go find a new team to root for and a new blog to spew garbage on. All the assumptions on here are getting tiresome.
I like the moves made today. Adams already knows quite a few of the GMs in the league from playing for them, playing with them or dealing with them as an agent. The Pegula's have paid a lot for highly regarded GM candidates and highly regarded coaching candidates, and it hasn't worked out.
The season may not end until when Aug, Sept, Oct? Would it be better to wait and hire a new GM then? Give them a week or two to get ready for the draft, free agency, hire a staff and get ready for training camp? Or just keep Botts?
Kevyn Adams is an extremely smart person and has never been a yes man. Botts was definitely, but seemed overwhelmed, couldn't handle the pressure, and wouldn't say no to the Pegs if he didn't agree with them. Murray didn't seem to be the type that would have an open communication line and not the type that was a team player.
Overall the team got better today.

Botterill and Murray made enough curious decisions that I can't just pin those decisions on ownership and absolve either GM of their own blame.

I am not saying the owners are good, at all, but the GM's had more than their fair share of ineptitude contributing to the failure.
- kingcong39

the problem with ownership is that they wanted to change the team identity a couple of times...the way I look at it we started with darcy and after the lucic incident, they seemingly wanted to move on from the soft-but-skilled team he built...

the answer to lucic/miller was bigger/stronger/faster during the last days of Regier and a heavy, western conference style under murray/Nolan and continued under murray/Bylsma despite Bylsma being more of an faster, up-tempo eastern-conference style...

with the team built as above, the hiring of botts/housley meant yet another change as they wanted an active defense in an up-tempo style with more of an emphasis on possession and "shot-mentality"...

under botts/Krueger they were more disciplined which choked off the all-out offense Housley wanted...

very confusing

Welp...
Settle not looking to bad for my new team
- gerbe75pts

Hope so. Go join the anarchists. Just remember you won't be able to make false police reports for a little broken glass anymore.

Hopefully this will get some of you to go find a new team to root for and a new blog to spew garbage on. All the assumptions on here are getting tiresome.
I like the moves made today. Adams already knows quite a few of the GMs in the league from playing for them, playing with them or dealing with them as an agent. The Pegula's have paid a lot for highly regarded GM candidates and highly regarded coaching candidates, and it hasn't worked out.
The season may not end until when Aug, Sept, Oct? Would it be better to wait and hire a new GM then? Give them a week or two to get ready for the draft, free agency, hire a staff and get ready for training camp? Or just keep Botts?
Kevyn Adams is an extremely smart person and has never been a yes man. Botts was definitely, but seemed overwhelmed, couldn't handle the pressure, and wouldn't say no to the Pegs if he didn't agree with them. Murray didn't seem to be the type that would have an open communication line and not the type that was a team player.
Overall the team got better today.
- adambuffalo

Which one of the Pegula daughters are you again??

Which one of the Pegula daughters are you again??
- ThundernLightning

under botts/Krueger they were more disciplined which choked off the all-out offense Housley wanted...

very confusing
- Michael Pachla

I think a lot of the style of play was due to the lack of talent. Easier to mask deficiencies playing Krueger's style, but don't think that's his plan moving forward.

Wasn't GMTM Pat Lafontaine's call? Why did he hire a GM who liked a bar stool as much or more than an office chair? Why did Patty Lala leave two teams right away as Prez?

Anyway, Patty Lalala, the big-name guy with no experience quit two teams. Everyone LOVES Patty though even though he has nothing except a lot of points and some charity work.

Because I want to be. That's it. No data. No math. I just want to not be fcking miserable.
- TheSabresTaco

I want to be optimistic and give him a chance, but the messaging and optics are just absurdly bad.

There are one of two likely scenarios regarding Adams as our GM:

1) he feels the heat to make some trades and he ends up getting fleeced on Risto, Montour, etc. Cozens is our 2C and Simmonds cracks the top 6.

2) he is terrified to make any trades because of his inexperience. Thus, he brings back the same old gang from this past year - but at bloated salaries because none of the Sabres RFA's/UFA's want to re-sign unless they get paid to stay. Once again, Simmonds cracks the top 6. Incidentally, Simmonds is the happiest Sabre on the team due to his 5 yr X $5 million contract.

The result of either of these scenarios will be: 1) a dwindling fan base, 2) many more empty seats, 3) resignation and apathy, 4) missing the playoffs again next year and 5) Jack, Dahlin demanding a trade at the end of next season.

Not a good day (or decade) to be a Sabres fan.

Michael Ghofrani: Sabres fire Jason Botterill, Promote Kevyn Adams To General Manager
- Michael Ghofrani

(frank) it.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
I'm in because I loathe/love this team.
But this has been sooooooo painful.

Good luck KA.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
1m
More changes are coming in BUF. I believe several members of hockey operations are being let go

my guess is amateur scouting gets gutted

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
1m
More changes are coming in BUF. I believe several members of hockey operations are being let go
- Michael Ghofrani

He's late

Sexton and Greely gone as well