I think you are throwing the baby out with the bath water. Just because you are named a leader, doesn't mean you are effective at it.
Non of those guys are the caliber of theleadership I'm talking about. Think Messier, Trottier, Clark, Stamkos etc...true upper echelon.
Pommer? Not a chance in hell, the most milquetoast guy in the league.
Kyle? Where was he when Euchel was supposedly tearing the team apart, silent.

The last good leaders the team has had is the two headed monster in Briere and Drury, with Drury being the key guy IMO.
He is the model within the confines of Sabre Captains. I would consider ROR a solid choice, but the Org caved to Euchel and neutered him.

Being named a Captain is not indicative of being a true leader...something the Sabres have been woefully short in realizing.
- IonSabres

I guess that's the big quandry then, if guys are thought to be leaders and aren't, how are you going to identify one to bring in?

Eric Johnson won a cup in a leadership position, so it worked for the Avs. Why do these guys go from tigers to kittens on our team? Also, the guys you mentioned were all HOF level players...which we likely don't have and aren't up for sale on other teams either. IF that's what's needed, aren't we just completely fooked?

The GM allows the team to eat mild chicken wings with pineapple pizza...they were doomed from the beginning. Isn't that the first question you ask in prospect interviews!?!?

GM: "Hey kid, good to meet you, welcome to Buffalo....you don't eat pineapple on pizza do you?

Prospect: "Yes I find it healthy and refreshing"

GM: "Thank you for your time"

Result, draft pepperoni pizza eaters...those guys have the grease in their veins to get to the net. The extra hot wing eaters you know have speed, those farts really move them up the ice (McDavid drinks an entire bottle of Franks red before every game).

Basic understanding of human biology could improve this team by 7 points...figure it out Adams.
- washedup20

Pineapple on pizza should be outlawed, that's for sure.

He will get multiple offers, sit on them all, make unrealistic counter offers, low ball Casey on an offer to stay, Casey’s agent will reject, he lets him walk for 1/2 of what he could have gotten
- lulags

He has 2 years of RFA status per WGR yesterday

I guess that's the big quandry then, if guys are thought to be leaders and aren't, how are you going to identify one to bring in?

Eric Johnson won a cup in a leadership position, so it worked for the Avs. Why do these guys go from tigers to kittens on our team? Also, the guys you mentioned were all HOF level players...which we likely don't have and aren't up for sale on other teams either. IF that's what's needed, aren't we just completely fooked?
- QuinnFan

Just because you won a cup doesn’t mean yoh are a “leader.”

Erik Johnson’s play was declining on the Avs and they chose not to resign him. So he turned to a kitten last year, not this year.

Pomminville when he came back. He was shot and cooked

Gionta

Rivet

The list of veteran leaders were basically players past their primes and continuing to play.

He has 2 years of RFA status per WGR yesterday
- Sabretooth9

So did Cozens, Power but hey got paid.
That’s got to be a hit button topic for Mitts

So did Cozens, Power but hey got paid.
That’s got to be a hit button topic for Mitts
- lulags

Yeah, I guess my point is. Adams shouldn’t be in a rush to trade him.

He has 2 cost controlled RFA years left.

I’m not saying don’t pay him. I’m saying there is no need to trade him.

Cap space wasted / pegula dollars down the drain:

Okpsos
Erik Johnson
Jost
Olofsson
Greenway
Comrie
Bryson

Pegula isn’t mad about spending to the cap. But he should be mad at all the wasted millions of dollars on these players.
- Sabretooth9

Add in the coaches and GM's hes still paying

Add in the coaches and GM's hes still paying

- DirtyDan

That might be the bigger joke

That might be the bigger joke
- lulags

The joke is Pegula himself.

He needs to sell or gtfo the way. Someone said he still cares. Well show us by hiring someone actually competent in the sport.

I don't like olives
- SABRES 89

finally a good opinion

Mittlestadt for L'Heureux an TB 25 1st. Who says no? Adams?
- c2rds

yes

Agree on Donnie.

Totally disagree that Ralph got too much blame.

He was horrendous.

A used car salesman who had zero answers.

Saying something like Ralph got too much hate makes me think you're a burner account of his.
- kingcong39

This all started as year 1 of Ralph was better than people remember. I stand by that.

Ralph, Donnie, Phil. None of them had answers when things got tough. Ralph and Donnie are 1 system coaches.

Mittlestadt for L'Heureux an TB 25 1st. Who says no? Adams?
- c2rds

That would be very underwhelming.

I don't like Jalapeno's
- SABRES 89

Mexican olives

Just because you won a cup doesn’t mean yoh are a “leader.”

Erik Johnson’s play was declining on the Avs and they chose not to resign him. So he turned to a kitten last year, not this year.

Pomminville when he came back. He was shot and cooked

Gionta

Rivet

The list of veteran leaders were basically players past their primes and continuing to play.
- Sabretooth9

So it IS factual to say a good leader must be a high quality player? If this is the case, why not just sign good players and let them lead by an example? Seems as though this is much more important than some invisible trait we're calling leadership.

Edit: And while winning a cup doesn't make you a good leader, winning a cup with the C on your chest means it did work...for whatever reason. And it didn't work here.

Cap space wasted / pegula dollars down the drain:

Okpsos
Erik Johnson
Jost
Olofsson
Greenway
Comrie
Bryson

Pegula isn’t mad about spending to the cap. But he should be mad at all the wasted millions of dollars on these players.
- Sabretooth9

Just off the cuff, you're looking at what, 23 million there? I mean I still think greenway brings value but the rest of that can be replaced with 10 million.

So it IS factual to say a good leader must be a high quality player? If this is the case, why not just sign good players and let them lead by an example? Seems as though this is much more important than some invisible trait we're calling leadership.
- QuinnFan

A leader is a leader, how that player is categorized is only by the fan base. The guys in that room have a poop load of respect for Kyle and EJ.

Not all leaders are created equal in terms of impact both on and off the ice. The roles of that leader may even change team to team. Or as they age.

Ultimately, a leader in sports, especially team heavy sports like football and hockey, are guys who are always going to give it their all, in public and private, and guide the lesser experienced through their professional journeys.

A lot of these guys become coaches and management. And why Wayne Gretzky is in a booth.

Just off the cuff, you're looking at what, 23 million there? I mean I still think greenway brings value but the rest of that can be replaced with 10 million.
- TheSabresTaco

don't forget 1.6 mil in robinson

you can almost fit kulich and savoie on the roster for that cap hit

A leader is a leader, how that player is categorized is only by the fan base. The guys in that room have a poop load of respect for Kyle and EJ.

Not all leaders are created equal in terms of impact both on and off the ice. The roles of that leader may even change team to team. Or as they age.

Ultimately, a leader in sports, especially team heavy sports like football and hockey, are guys who are always going to give it their all, in public and private, and guide the lesser experienced through their professional journeys.

A lot of these guys become coaches and management. And why Wayne Gretzky is in a booth.
- TheSabresTaco

I guess my issue is that they have a ton of respect for these guys and it doesn't seem to affect anything. I've never thought Kyle was a lazy player, he just took too many hits to the head and it slowed him down a ton. Kyle has had players stay at his house, has been the voice during events like the honoring of those killed during the Topps massacre...he's been a great teammate all things considered...it just hasn't helped it seems. It's either that or the impact of a great leader isn't substantial enough to value in this way.

I don't know which, but there's chinks in the "leadership" armor somewhere.

When a team has additional funds, and in dire need of leadership players, they may pay a player too much. That can certainly hinder a deadline return, but the value intended is for the player to be there the entire season, and beyond just dollar amount.

So while I wouldn't mind paying Kyle 2.5 million to be a defensive specialist with strong numbers, or EJ 3.25M to be strong in his 3rd pairing role and PK, the fact of the matter is, neither of them are having that great of an impact. EJ was predictable even more so than Kyle in the summer.

This is where Adams' analysis of Leadership>play allows following decisions to denigrate his roster.

I, and they, don't need "leaders" to be amazing players. But they need them to provide an on ice, overall positive impact. That is a noticeable flaw in Kevyn's thinking and I don't have confidence it will improve, because, well.

He's a (frank)ing cuck.

Just off the cuff, you're looking at what, 23 million there? I mean I still think greenway brings value but the rest of that can be replaced with 10 million.
- TheSabresTaco

Sabres internally discussing bringing Matt Duchene back 'home' (Haliburton, ON) in 2024 Summer Free Agency period. Logic being Duchy is above avg at winning faceoffs, can play anywhere in top 9, has or will have deep playoff run experience, and at this point in career he is a low maintenance player who just wants to win. Dallas will try to re-sign but can't compete with Sabres cap space.

I guess my issue is that they have a ton of respect for these guys and it doesn't seem to affect anything. I've never thought Kyle was a lazy player, he just took too many hits to the head and it slowed him down a ton. Kyle has had players stay at his house, has been the voice during events like the honoring of those killed during the Topps massacre...he's been a great teammate all things considered...it just hasn't helped it seems. It's either that or the impact of a great leader isn't substantial enough to value in this way.

I don't know which, but there's chinks in the "leadership" armor somewhere.
- QuinnFan

okposo checks all the box for the leader the team needs


they just need more or they are going on a different path

don't forget 1.6 mil in robinson

you can almost fit kulich and savoie on the roster for that cap hit
- homiedclown

I don't disagree in how this org has handled their prospects, except for Matt Savoie's 3 minutes.

If you watched Rochester, you will notice that there's no one breaking out, pounding on the door.

Keeping RJ here was the correct move. Don not utilizing him more was, and is not the correct move.

I don't disagree in how this org has handled their prospects, except for Matt Savoie's 3 minutes.

If you watched Rochester, you will notice that there's no one breaking out, pounding on the door.

Keeping RJ here was the correct move. Don not utilizing him more was, and is not the correct move.
- TheSabresTaco

Good with Levi and Benson?

okposo checks all the box for the leader the team needs


they just need more or they are going on a different path
- homiedclown

Out of curiosity, if you could sign one guy of these two options which would you:

1) High energy, defensively sound, physical player but a church mouse in the locker room
2) Great leader, brings experience and SC winning pedigree but not physically imposing or great at any particular aspect of the game

Both are 25pt players on average, so bottom6 guys.