As much as Adams has not done to push the team into the playoffs, there is an argument to be made that being that buffer maybe a more important job.
Without that buffer decisions such as taking Alex Nylander over Charlie McAvoy and trading Ryan O’Reilly after he loves his love for the game are made(rather then trying to work towards a resolution) are made. Jerry Forton would have a much larger say in the final decision on players and choices such Topias Leinonen would be the norm and not the exception.
Pegula is absolutely holding Adams back. Although he did agree to the 3 Es when he initially took over as GM, there was an understanding that this would cease this past season. Does anyone think that GMKA really wanted to not make any deals that required salary retention or cap dumps? How about the idea that the Bryam Trade would have been completed a lot sooner with Colorado’s First Round Pick coming to Buffalo had Adams been authorized to take Ryan Johansen as part of the deal. Also there is the matter of the team having only one official pro scout in Jeremiah Crowe.
Pegula still has a reputation around the league and there was some hesitation by some of outside front office hires to join the organization without reassurance they would be able to do their jobs without much interference.
As much as the team has fallen short of expectations, the one area the analytics department has been largely focused on has been the draft something that has demonstrated significant improvement. Adams is making sure they space they need to operate. They have given input on some of the free agent signings namely Clifton and Johnson. They did give advice about usage of both players which was promptly ignored by the coach.
I would like to see a scenario where Karmanos and the analytics staff are ones making the final decisions on roster construction in addition to drafting. The reason why I have always mentioned promoting Adams to POHO was so not to lose Karmanos or Ventura. Adams does a good job of keeping Pegula out of a large majority of hockey ops decisions. If they would be free to operate without ownership interference if Adams was no longer with the organization I would not shed a single tear.
I do believe there is reason for hope as the NHL has possibly turned its attention to organizations that have been performing subpar, now that the Coyotes are in Utah. There may have been a few friendly suggestions given to an organization we have a love/hate relationship with. Whether or not the advice is needed is another story.
