DarthEbriate

The things that might be asked in an interview process of multiple qualified candidates (and bounced off other candidates to see how they react).... Granted, I'm sure Kevyn and the Pegulas have had conversations about how he'd fix things, but still, then why aren't any of those provided --- even at a high level? Just communicate and try, try again.

Seriously, as a player, I don't really feel the need to sign a long-term extension here. The leadership is banking on a magical run on a talented young core, but there's not a foundation that would sustain that. My guess is within 3 years Adams and RaKru will also have to be moved for the next people who make the owners feel good and communicate well once these guys get burned out --- or get better opportunities elsewhere.

There was no competition or search or interview process for hiring. This is like me indiscriminately killing ISD captains after they apologize for losing the Falcon. Sure, I feel good in the short term. But, I mean, what qualifies the next person in command? <sigh>

That's just it, isn't it? And it's going to cost us fans something extra. 10 more years. All in advance.

Fake it 'til you make it?

Maybe all this lean, technology, and video talk is about a giant new widescreen jumbotron?... Maybe?

Talking technology reminds me of a good George Lucas quote: A special effect is a tool, a means of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing. Technology is a tool. Technology without icing a good roster is a pretty useless thing.

I love this last interchange. Wyshynski just hanging out in his bedroom, laundry in view. Krueger in his attic, with the Mustafar lava glow uplighting of hell.

No --- all speculation. I just needed a reason to not grant him the rank of Master. ?

Interesting. Although I don't see how Adams' ability to translate hockey management to the owner qualifies him for the role of General Manager. It's like when the Emperor appointed Skywalker as a personal representative on the Jedi Council. Sure, they accepted him on the Council, but didn't assign him the role of Master. This is outrageous!

Right now, the biggest things I want to hear about from GMKev of his plans at the presser: His vision of a team (e.g. GMTM top 6 and a mean bottom 6, heavy team; or JBot fast, aggressive forechecking). Because if he wants to go back to heavy, that gives a timeline on acquiring and developing those players. I prefer fast, but of course big and fast is awesome. Or if he wants tenacity --- it means some of our less physical players need to go. etc. And that switchover leads to timelines to player acquisition. Viewpoints and plans for analytics and cap management His priorities in the next 90 days while the league is in a hybrid stasis/playoff mode (is he just assembling his crew, or is he resigning RFAs, or is he wheeling/dealing with the other lottery teams. What does he want to focus on first, knowing that there's no Sabres hockey until.... whenever. What do y'all need/want to hear?

Yeah, I chose the wrong word with handled. All those items I attribute to coaching. But he's never managed contracts, scouting, trades, etc. I hope he has a great eye for talent and has the tools put in place to continue player development. It's the player acquisition that is scariest to me. As you and @LGR4GM state: pro personnel, analytics folks are much in need. I'd add a cap guru and while we're at it, let's get our scouting department in order.

Yeah, but he was GM of Harborcenter! This is the most alarming item --- he hasn't handled AHL/NHL personnel before. He'll need experienced support. Like us 'Spacers!

You will know when you are calm... At peace... Passive. A GM uses the Ehrhoff for knowledge forwards and defense. Never for immediate response on a web forum.

He's been with the organization since 2013 and they only have one photo of him smiling on a tarmac? Does this move make Angry Larry happy?

Always two there are. A master and an A response that raises alarm and a non-response that raises alarm.

This is the key to remember. Player excitement isn't going to happen anytime soon. The bulk of the NHL still has some form of season robin/playoff to finish. Adams can wheel and deal with the other ousted teams, and he can start up with our RFAs and prepare for the draft. He does have 3 months to get all of the staff in place, etc., except of course, many teams aren't in the offseason yet, so getting people associated with other franchises might be slow/tricky.

The owner's vote of confidence is rarely a good thing. It could have as easily have been "JBot is our GM. We wanted to wait for the NHL's decision on handling the season and playoffs for this year, and then we'll do a full end-of-year review with GM JBot and other members of our staff, just like we always do." It didn't need to include anything about unpopularity with fans or we know some inner information... It's ok to say "We're taking our time" especially this year where everything was in flux and still is, season/playoff/draft-wise.

Well. Obviously it's much too early to say whether Adams will be good or bad. He certainly doesn't have the picks/assets to play with (like GMTM had). But he does have a lot of RFAs that he can move about or let walk. I've defended JBot more than my fair share, but that's mainly because he wanted to ice a fast team and he wanted to make ROC a stable place to play for incoming youth (and let's face it, I picture him as GM Lobot and how cool is that?). And for vision to become reality takes some time. Some time has passed and his execution wasn't there. Now, GM Kevyn gets his 3 years to mold the roster to his liking and his approach. So now we're truly off the Eichel-prime timeline and into the Dahlin-timeline in terms of one-ice talent. Adams does get the opportunity to represent the Sabres for the Lottery drawing, and I hope for his and our sakes the balls bounce favorably and we're at 1-2-3, rather than 8th again.

Is the viewscreen ready for a remote teleconference? Yes. Ok, good.... You have failed me for the last time, General (M JBot). Captain Kevyn? Make ready to draft new players from beyond our current nets, and hire new staff and free agents, so that we're ready to deploy the RaKru system. You are in command now, General M Kevyn! Also, RaKru's not a system, he's a man.

Good morning, everyone! Well, let's just take a quick look at the news... Whhaaaaat? <spinning off into space>

Every year a team loses a player or two they might want to keep -- whether via free agency or health-related. Or even trade. That's perfectly normal and fine. Tons of attrition and all. And you're absolutely right -- in a vacuum it's fine. But it's losing all that D stockpile and garnering nothing back of value. In fact, it could easily be argued that trading the Scandella-pick for Frolik was a negative value because of the impact on the cap and next year's cap for bonuses. We must release our anger. Only our hatred can dest... It's more that accentuating the positive within this stockpile of defensemen is getting harder and harder to do.

Good to see he's ready to make the pond-hop. There's room for lots of minutes in Rochester since our Pilut defected to the Rebellion Bodhi Rook style and Redmond also took an opportunity on the DEL. Let's go, Laaksonen! Get on the attack. I was unfamiliar with Farrance at draft time (of course, I'd never even heard of Laaksonen), but Farrance is putting up excellent numbers in the NCAA. I hope for our sake that Laaksonen is the better long-term pick. Edit: grammar fix

Defensive surplus: LHD Scandella + Pilut (AHL All-Star) + Hunwick / RHD Bogosian + Redmond (AHL All-Star) = Carry the one.... 19 games of Frolik.

Paraphrasing @dudacek from over on Reinhart thread, it isn't. The 8.7 from Yerdon's article just doesn't make sense. And as Dudacek has been reminding me, Reino's leverage will be the bridge deal to save the Sabres money... (aside: while we had to pay ROR and extend Kane/signSkinner...eek) while he bet on himself. While he's been good, he's not been great. That 8+ is reserved for point-per-game or elite goal-scorers which Reino has shown each season he is not. He's a solid 1W/2W, savvy guy. And his major drawback is a team drawback in that we don't know how he'll respond to playoff hockey and being finished on each check and harassed and held. I'm of the mind that 6.5 should be his cap based on comparables. @dudacek , at risk of putting any words to his mouth, is in the 7 range because of the bridge. And you're right -- there is no breakout. Yet. We have to hope that he signs low-ish, and then has that breakout and sustains it for several playoff-filled years.