Brawndo

The Sabres were willing to take on 15 Million in actual dollars to move from 16 to 7. Per a draft pick value chart from a Seattle Analytics Site, that's a difference of 148 points or the equivalent of a late first round pick. So that probably sets the price to take on salary cap dumps for the team. I think it's a good sign they maybe willing to take actual salary on in a trade for assets.

Ok be honest, Who else had to Google Taylor Lautner

Evolving Wild Contract Projection for Him was Two Years 1.58 Million AAV. Pretty damn close.

I would imagine the thought process is if Levi does become the starter in 3 years, His AAV will be low enough that Gibson Contract as a backup would not be prohibitive or Gibson could be moved.

He has good relationships with Rutherford and Ron Francis from His Playing Days and does seem to be very personable, so this would not be surprising.

I will give you that His Results have been abysmal to date, but I believe there is urgency behind the scenes to improve the goaltending. If there is any truth to the HF Rumors that the Sabres where in pursuit of Gibson and I think there is some smoke there given the fact the Sabres need a goalie and Gibson is Fifth on Frank Seravilli’s Trade Bait Board, to acquire a starting net minder with Five Years of Team Control would require a large asset in return such as a Top Prospect or the Sabres 2023 First Round Pick. Given that the negotiations supposedly got to the point where Gibson was asked to waive His M-NTC, I believe Adams was willing to move the assets necessary to close the deal which in My Opinion demonstrates urgency to improve the teams goaltending.

I’m sure there are people in the league that do not care for Him. Within six hours of being hired, He fired a majority of the Hockey Ops Department and told Chris Taylor and His Staff they will not be returning to the Amerks, despite having agreed to new contracts. That will create animosity amongst hockey circles. The problem with that is their anger is misdirected, that was on the Pegulas. He also had zero experience in a NHL Front Office, so there are probably those who feel “He didn’t put His Time in to get a GM Position” That being said, He has used His Close Relationship with the Pegulas to His Advantage and more importantly to the advantage of the organization. He brought in Karmanos, who through His Years as an AGM would have multiple relationships with other GMs and Agents, hired a Top Flight Analytics Department, and has seemed to have the entire organization pointed in the right direction. Now He just needs successfully land a quality goalie or two.

https://youtu.be/Nko6YXXnlkQ

The Amerks Coaching Staff as well as the Sabres Development Staff was in attendance at the draft and got to spend time with Kisakov. Seth Appert was on Sabres Live and mentioned that while speaking with Kisakov Appert told Him He coached against the Russian Team He was playing on in Detroit. Kisakov smiled and mentioned We won in Overtime. Apparently Tim Kennedy has Appert using Google Translate to talk with Him.

And they are scheduled to add 4 More picks in the Top 64.

Matt Pegula was the only member of the family present.

As I mentioned He is very close to the Pegulas and what Kim is going through has really shaken Forton. He really likes working with Adams and is appreciative of What He has done for the franchise, but I believe His true emotions, are more tied with Kim’s Condition

He also mentioned that Sam Ventura came up and said great draft to Him, right before He talked about there was some healthy disagreement between the scouting staff and analytics department. I believe He was higher on the board than the analytics department wanted. I put this in another thread- I believe the emotions were more for Kim Pegula and what She is going through. He mentioned Adams, got choked up and His Voice cracked when He said the Pegulas. I do the franchise is pointed in the right direction and Adams is a primary driver behind this though He has become very close friends with Terry and Kim and I believe that’s how He has survived the multiple FO purges.

I believe the emotions were more for Kim Pegula and what She is going through. He mentioned Adams, got choked up and His Voice cracked when He said the Pegulas. I do the franchise is pointed in the right direction and Adams is a primary driver behind this though He has become very close friends with Terry and Kim and I believe that’s how He has survived the multiple FO purges. On a related note the Sabres did draft two of the Top 20 remaining players from Pronman’s Board this AM in Neuchev and Lindgren.

I get the impression that there were picks made where the analytics group wasn’t in agreement with the scouting staff and this was one of them IMO

Bader’s Model also predicts this, which makes it easier to dismiss

I think that’s the plan

The Sabres had a First Round Grade on Him and He was in consideration for the 28th Pick if Kulich was gone 😬

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eciDf07AVsI