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They did everything to destroy the team...

If analytics were the addition of McLeod and Karmanos and Ventura both exit, it would be safe to assume he'd be a lower priority extension amongst the RFAs. He'd be easy to snare away by a GM with a top 1C, a hole in the 2C/3C role, and a late first round pick to make an offer sheet. For example, his speed would look really good for Carolina -- who already have an extra late 1st in 2026 because of Dallas/Rantanen deal so they can move their own. Norris, Kulich, Krebs, Kozak worries me. I like them each individually in some capacity. I think all can be elements of the same lineup. I would despise it as the center spine for next season's opener.

What a ***** joke. This place really could run this franchise better, how ***** up is that?

Anyone who gets this deep into a meta conversation with a person who gets on his nerves gets an eyeroll from me. Thank you for your understanding.

Following the Florida hierarchy: Staal is the Special Advisor (Assistant) = Roberto Luongo (who has been in the role since 2019 - Panthers legend, retired jersey #, etc.) Sabres TBD is a Senior Advisor = Rick Dudley and Paul Fenton with Florida

fify

Lol. They'll limp into a wildcard and act like they've accomplished something.

With the lottery results known, the Athletic NHL writers collaborated to do a draft in Pronman's new piece. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6335303/2025/05/05/nhl-mock-draft-2025-schaefer-islanders/ At 9, Matthew Fairburn selected C Brady Martin for the Sabres. Others still on the board: McQueen, Smith, Nesbitt, and Eklund. Bear slid to 17 and the Habs with the Achilles injury.

Baby steps. You have to do one first to do the rest.

I wonder if the Karmanos/Adams promotion plan was part of an office power play that Kevyn won. And let's be clear here: the new advisor won't be adding to the brain trust, he'll be replacing the only proven NHL executive in the Sabre front office.

I swear, Kevyn is just on a trolling mission at this juncture Palm trees? Taxes?? Staal??? What's next? Brad Marchant trips-you-as-you-walk-by, night???? 🤮🤮🤮

I mean, I don't disagree with your point in general. But the "news" of the past 24 hours is this: Keeping the bad GM Planning to hire his potential replacement to 'advise' him Likely losing the associate GM with 3 Stanley Cups and 25 years experience Potentially losing the touted head of the analytics department (i.e. the only other credentialed guy in head office) Giving the chatty, smiley, not-great 1st-year assistant coach with the hair greater say in player personnel Hiring a completely inexperienced friend of the GM as his new right-hand Trading the #2 defenceman Not sure how any of this makes us better. More sure how it could make us worse. Is it becoming clear yet to you on how Kevyn sold Terry of his plan?

HELLO, FELLOW GMs!

Please tell me that the Special Assistant is not the Advisor that is mentioned in the other thread. Rick Dudley is an executive level Advisor. Eric Staal is the new guy that is learning and should handle things for Adams but not have a big impact on strategy and planning.

Beat me to the point. The Florida front office has multiple advisors to GM Zito. He doesn't operate in a vacuum. Kevyn has been operating in an EEE vacuum, to the detriment of all of us and to himself. He was a first-time GM and he had no one and he started with a coach named Krueger. I don't pity him because he's not shown well of himself, but he has been at a disadvantage compared to real Hockey Ops departments around the league.

I think that AGMs are closer to becoming GM than an Advisor is. Just my too sense when I look at other teams. JBOT was one of three AGMs and he got promoted to GM. They I would like this ^

sénior advisor

Most teams have Hockey Operations that consist of combinations of POHO, GM, and executive level Sr Advisors, Advisors, etc. The Sabres run and austere organization in comparison. For Example: Last season Rick Dudley was an advisor to Bill Zito in Florida. He is still there I believe and he has served in executive roles on 7 other NHL teams as well over the years.

It's not just this.... what experience does Eric Staal have in an NHL front office? None? How does this improve anything? I hate everything about this hire. I mean, who in their right mind came to the conclucsion "I've figured it out! You know what we're missing that will help put us back in the playoffs? A special assistant to the GM who has no prior front office experience!! Bang!"

The funniest part is they are doing all this to try and MAKE the playoffs. Not even contend but just make the playoffs and are hoping to do it by shear luck.

As WR4/5, I think he has enough of “it” to pass muster.

That’s what he deserves, call it an internship.

But you can’t lead the “offseason of change” with a guy who never bothered to show up to the Sabres and most of the fans despise.