Im surprised how much pull Gerb has on you lot.

Guy had the whole board chasing their tails from one comment

Hall is toast and the Bruins would give him away for free.

Youth and speed wins cups. You can sprinkle in the other stuff at any time. Once a core hits late 20's it is pretty much over for that team.
- Slump Buster

So now Reinhart was a top 2 center? Seriously? Yes, he did inherit a healthy Eichel, and not long after that he was damaged goods (and he apparently was already a malcontent). So through no fault of his own, the beginning of that season where Eichel was hurt was freaking bleak. Don't you remember about how this board fretted about trying to get a brand new top line?

And the Devils are the perfect comparable for us. They are a year ahead of us. There is a Timo Meier available every year. Did they do it when they turned the corner and started to be respectable 2 years ago? Nope. They did it last year when things really started to cook. That is us this year.

Ottawa is the cautionary tale. They have some fantastic young players, but rather than letting it play out they made some foolish trades (still don't understand how many of you liked the Debrincat trade last year) and now they are stuck in the middle with an empty prospect pool.
- Slump Buster

Huh?

Thompson and Cozens (who I was referring to) were already in the system when Adams took over. So was Dahlin


Legitimately the three most important positions a GM needs when building a team was already taken care of for him

He didn’t need this long ass rebuild

I honestly don’t think he would do that.

He has missed chicken - man and maybe 1 other thing. But has been spot on about a bunch of other things.

He knows “people” higher than my source
- Sabretooth9

I don't doubt that he knows people and I have always appreciated what he has brought to the table. And I don't mean that he is doing it maliciously. I think that many times when he pops in he is abused a bit by the usual suspects and I think he decided to have a little fun.

Huh?

Thompson and Cozens (who I was referring to) were already in the system when Adams took over. So was Dahlin


Legitimately the three most important positions a GM needs when building a team was already taken care of for him

He didn’t need this long ass rebuild
- sbroads24

And who thought that Tage was a center, let alone a top center? That's my whole freaking point - they took their time and let it play out and they had success after success. None of these things were even likely, let alone givens. Another GM / coach would have come in and tried to win now with that mediocre roster. He had a plan and thankfully ignored all of the "it's been too long" crowd and it is now paying off fantastically.

And who thought that Tage was a center, let alone a top center? That's my whole freaking point - they took their time and let it play out and they had success after success. None of these things were even likely, let alone givens. Another GM / coach would have come in and tried to win now with that mediocre roster. He had a plan and thankfully ignored all of the "it's been too long" crowd and it is now paying off fantastically.
- Slump Buster

And my whole freaking point is that the rebuild is over with and we should be doing literally any and everything to win starting right now.

They have the core. It’s as plain as day.

If they need to pay a little more for Pesce, or give Hellebyuck a few more years then they want to, who cares??

Go win. Adding a top 4 D, no goalies, and no forwards this offseason would be so on brand for a team that’s not serious about winning.

And who thought that Tage was a center, let alone a top center? That's my whole freaking point - they took their time and let it play out and they had success after success. None of these things were even likely, let alone givens. Another GM / coach would have come in and tried to win now with that mediocre roster. He had a plan and thankfully ignored all of the "it's been too long" crowd and it is now paying off fantastically.
- Slump Buster

This is revisionist history. Tage Thompson was moved to center essentially out of desperation. They didn't have anyone else. Remember, Granato moved Reinhart to center almost as soon as he took over because the team was so thin at the position. While it has worked out beautifully, the story is a lot closer to "the poop we threw at the wall actually stuck" than "we had a long term plan that is now coming to fruition".

McDermott and Beane will both be here atleast through 2027.
Oops late!!

And my whole freaking point is that the rebuild is over with and we should be doing literally any and everything to win starting right now.

They have the core. It’s as plain as day.

If they need to pay a little more for Pesce, or give Hellebyuck a few more years then they want to, who cares??

Go win. Adding a top 4 D, no goalies, and no forwards this offseason would be so on brand for a team that’s not serious about winning.
- sbroads24

Got it. Never mind the huge jumps that this team (and those same players) has taken the last 2 years, that's somehow a negative thing. Again, straw man. You're approaching this as though he isn't going to do anything. He recognized that Ollo needs to go and that we need another D. Do you really doubt that those things won't happen?

This is revisionist history. Tage Thompson was moved to center essentially out of desperation. They didn't have anyone else. Remember, Granato moved Reinhart to center almost as soon as he took over because the team was so thin at the position. While it has worked out beautifully, the story is a lot closer to "the poop we threw at the wall actually stuck" than "we had a long term plan that is now coming to fruition".
- buffalofan19

Rino was moved out of desperation. Tage had actually played center with Granato in the past - he was moved to wing out of desperation at that time. Either way, they have rebuilt all of these assets. They were patient - that was the plan. They've earned some trust. People forget the doom and gloom of 2 years ago.

It is unreasonable to not try your best to actually win this year instead of "let's see what we have".

"In past years these conversations didn't make sense for us. They do now"

Got it. Never mind the huge jumps that this team (and those same players) has taken the last 2 years, that's somehow a negative thing. Again, straw man. You're approaching this as though he isn't going to do anything. He recognized that Ollo needs to go and that we need another D. Do you really doubt that those things won't happen?
- Slump Buster

Honest question. How much back patting do we need to do because they almost did something?

The needs this team has right now can be copy and pasted from the last two years.

I also enjoyed the "we gave three great young defensemen" which is probably the most Adams has thrown any of his guys under the bus

It is unreasonable to not try your best to actually win this year instead of "let's see what we have".

"In past years these conversations didn't make sense for us. They do now"
- TheSabresTaco

are these Adams quotes?

The Sabres had the talent to make the playoffs this past year. A lot of that talent was brought in by Botterill. That’s just the facts.

Adams horrendous goaltending acquisition in Comrie and refusal to get a top 4 D last year and at the deadline is why we missed.

But yes. The 2027 cap looks cool.

Who (frank)ing cares
- sbroads24

Tage didn’t explode until he played in Donnie’s system. Adams also then got him signed to quite arguably the best contract in hockey.

Cozens was inherited, he got him signed to a contract that is already looking like gravy once we see what the likes of Lindholm and Dubois are going to get paid.

Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Owen Power are all Adams guys.

Lybushkin, Stillman, Jost provided better depth than most in the past decade and costed a prospect in Bloom (would never crack this lineup anyways) and cap space.

Goaltending costed us a playoff spot last year. He deserves blame 100%, but for Christ sakes Comrie could stop 20 goals above expected next year because the goaltending position is a farce.

Having cap space is ideal, considering our cup window where we really put the pedal to the metal is 2025-2028.

Get a goalie and a top 4 d-man and I truly think we are more than ok.

It is unreasonable to not try your best to actually win this year instead of "let's see what we have".

"In past years these conversations didn't make sense for us. They do now"
- TheSabresTaco

Exactly

Where are we, we improved. But we are in the same spot Looking in!! Jesus Christ all we needed was a better goalie and we make the playoffs last year. I don't want to hear he tried, not his fault because players wouldn't waive, try harder other goalie's were available. Excuses and lip service.
- Buff36

Although, we did see that of the 3 College players:
1 stated he wasn't going to sign (they traded Portilo's rights),
1 showed significant indecision, only signing after most thought "he gone"
1 signed on time
The question remains unanswered about would Levi have signed if a true starter was acquired.

It is a fair question to ask and be considered. Imagine the uoriar had he bungled those 2 who did sign?
Holy poop, this place would have become more if a pooptshow than it already is.

Tage didn’t explode until he played in Donnie’s system. Adams also then got him signed to quite arguably the best contract in hockey.

Cozens was inherited, he got him signed to a contract that is already looking like gravy once we see what the likes of Lindholm and Dubois are going to get paid.

Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Owen Power are all Adams guys.

Lybushkin, Stillman, Jost provided better depth than most in the past decade and costed a prospect in Bloom (would never crack this lineup anyways) and cap space.

Goaltending costed us a playoff spot last year. He deserves blame 100%, but for Christ sakes Comrie could stop 20 goals above expected next year because the goaltending position is a farce.

Having cap space is ideal, considering our cup window where we really put the pedal to the metal is 2025-2028.

Get a goalie and a top 4 d-man and I truly think we are more than ok.
- Swedish_Jesus

"Adams is building for sustainable success"...."The Sabres window for winning"

Anyone else confused?

Honest question. How much back patting do we need to do because they almost did something?

The needs this team has right now can be copy and pasted from the last two years.
- sbroads24

When did I ever say that we've won anything? If two years ago we would be told about where we could be today, we would all (each and every one of us) be absolutely thrilled. Yes, now it is time to get the job done.

I think this criticism would make a lot more sense if it was applied to Darcy in 2007. They had a roster that should have won. He should have sold anything that wasn't tied down as the clock was ticking. He failed us. This isn't (yet) that situation. I don' t think Adams is Darcy 2.0.

Not gonna talk about Defense, that's been bad since he got here, and he really hasn't done anything about it, well other than walking Montour out the door.
- Buff36

I think Montour actually danced out the door signing as well.

"Adams is building for sustainable success"...."The Sabres window for winning"

Anyone else confused?
- washedup20

No, it seems pretty clear.

Tage didn’t explode until he played in Donnie’s system. Adams also then got him signed to quite arguably the best contract in hockey.

Cozens was inherited, he got him signed to a contract that is already looking like gravy once we see what the likes of Lindholm and Dubois are going to get paid.

Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Owen Power are all Adams guys.

Lybushkin, Stillman, Jost provided better depth than most in the past decade and costed a prospect in Bloom (would never crack this lineup anyways) and cap space.

Goaltending costed us a playoff spot last year. He deserves blame 100%, but for Christ sakes Comrie could stop 20 goals above expected next year because the goaltending position is a farce.

Having cap space is ideal, considering our cup window where we really put the pedal to the metal is 2025-2028.

Get a goalie and a top 4 d-man and I truly think we are more than ok.
- Swedish_Jesus

I have never once denied our bright future.

I’m just not going to keep punting expectations

They need to win games and make the playoffs now.

And before people say “We all agree” that’s BS.

Boss is sitting here saying that might not be there expectations

Many people are already backing off the “big summer” comments.

Some people here are afraid to put clear cut expectations on this team

Why did they need to bring both Girgensons and Okposo back at this particular time. With the draft and FA coming wouldn't you want a little wiggle room contract wise. I mean and I hope I am wrong, but that tells me your basically running it back and you knew that already.
- Buff36

You know my feelings on those two, and Host coming back as well.

Bills extend McDemott and Beane until ‘27.
- Lilroot9

Something funny?

No, it seems pretty clear.
- Slump Buster

You've been smooching Adams butt all day, it's impressive how bought in you are from the idea of winning in the future.