GASabresIUFAN

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-locker-cleanout-press-conferences-top-quotes-kevyn-adams-lindy-ruff It's interesting reading some of these comments in print. 1) On Norris - Adams knew he was injured, but "we did this for long-term reasons." I take that to mean Adams believes Norris is part of his core going forward. 2) On Byram - "Bo had an excellent season." "I think he had a nice season." "He's a good player." So which is it Kev? By the way he isn't a good player. He is a talented offensive D who was terrible when not paired with Dahlin. The most telling remark "Lets bring in a really, really good hockey player and see how it shakes out." I translate that mean a highly talented player that Sabres management had no idea what to do with. 3) On Kulich - "tremendous rookie season." "he's definitely a center." "He's very sound defensively" Is there any question that he's one of our top 3 centers next season? 4) On UPL - "I believe in UPL." (Ruff) " I have a huge amount of faith in UPL" This despite lousy stats in all his pro seasons except one. The best news from the comments on UPL was the acknowledgement by both Ruff and Adams about how poor the defense is. From Ruff - Until I get the team to clean up some of the poor puck play, it's going to be hard on any goalie." From Adams - We need to play better in front of him." Does this mean that might actually work hard this offseason to actually fix the defense or is it more talk and hope that the young players miraculously improve defensively? 5) On JBD - "JBD is pretty simple with the puck and makes good decisions." Thinks he is a good pair for Power. 6) On Power - Adams admits he's failed to support him properly. " I haven't been able to get that right person (to play with Power)." Seems to completely ignore Power's lack of physical play, poor puck decisions, poor positioning and general regression as a player. https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/after-struggling-and-getting-scratched-sabres-mattias-samuelsson-thrived-late/ 7) Adams on Samuelsson - Strong play in the final weeks (when paired with Dahlin). Wants him to "attack the offseason and be ready on Day One next year." Does this mean Adams has no plans to buy him out or trade him this offseason? Has anyone seen the comments on other players?

The question is why hasn’t he seen for the last 5 years?

I was worried for a minute there. One takeaway from the presser was the Ruff knows his defenders can't defend worth a crap. They likely don't want to pay Byram, I think he is the guy traded away. Sadly I think the rest of the sorry D group returns. Maybe the return from the Byram trade gets Dahlin or Power a partner. Adams delusional comments make me think that he believes JBD can play in our top 4, possible as Power's partner. Overall, if Adams returns, I'm expecting most of the run it back roster to return.

No, but they are both of native descendent. Carter's folks are from the Peguis First Nation (Cree & Saulteaux) and Ethan is part of the Ochapowace Nation (also Cree).

What? JJP has been in the organization for 4 years. The only constant in the last 14 years is Pegula (ok and a lack of defense).

I asked what you would do, now what do you think will actually happen? Does Adams get fired and who might replace him? Does Ruff keep his job and who might replace him? Do the assist coaches keep their jobs or who might replace them? Are their any big trades this offseason? Are their any significant FA signings? Do all the RFAs get re-signed or our some traded away? Do any of the current prospects get traded away for whom?

Did anyone get the impression that Adams and Ruff think they need a top line center? Assuming Adams remains at GM, I don't see them acquiring a center. Adams is happy he got Norris. If the Sabres field a spine of Norris, Kulich, McLeod and Kozak/Krebs, the team will have a very good two way group of centers. I know that is going to piss off some posters here but that is the truth. Ruff was very specific on Kulich's ability as a rookie to play an excellent two way game. He pointed out how well Kulich played against other teams' top centers. McLeod's credentials as a two way player were proven this year and Norris has a 5 year track record of being solid defensively, excellent in the FO circle and the ability to score (when healthy). People here keep complaining that we don't have enough good two way players, but that "fact" is changing for the better, as Kulich, Benson, McLeod, and now Norris spearhead that change. Would I like a more dynamic playmaker over Norris as our top line center. Yes, I would, but with Adams in charge I don't see that happening anymore. Sorry. PS, I'm worried about Petterson's healthy. He doesn't seem as dynamic a player since his knee injury.

Until this team gets better D and goalies, it doesn’t matter who the coach is.

I finally watched the news conference. Adams thinks Byram had a good season and he's taking Power's input on how to get him a partner. Adams said he needs self reflection. OK Kev, here is some things to ruminate over. 1) You haven't found adequate partners for your two "Top" D ever. Dahlin has never had a good partner and Power still hasn't had one in his 3 years. 2) The defensive skills of your defense 5 years into your reign of incompetence are the worst in the NHL yet you keep the same players and the same assistant coaches. The only additions have been 3rd pair or scrap heap players like Clifton, Stillman, Lyubushkin, E Johnson, Pysyk, Hagg, and Butcher. The lone exception was Byram and you admit you had no idea what to do with him (as he has redundant skill set and also can't play defense). 3) Since Ullmark left your goaltending has been awful except a 30 game flurry by UPL and some periods of mediocrity from aging players like Reimer and Anderson. Remember outside of last season, UPL has never had a good pro season. 4) Your special teams have been awful since you became GM. Maybe just maybe Kev you are the problem. Fall on your sword and give someone else a chance. (At least Ruff seems to know that the defenders he was given have no clue how to play defense.)

Yep!

I'm going to reserve some judgement until I hear the whole press conference, but based on the snippets I've seen on X, they still have zero clue.

Might be worth watching

Lots of other positives, but all on the offense. 8th in goals overall. Top 5 in EV goals. A few other positives Individually. Zucker and McLeod were positive surprises. Continued development from JJP and Benson plus the emergence of Kulich. JBD maybe a find for the 3rd pair.

Why are you bringing back the entire terrible defense except Byram? The Sabres allowed 289 goals this season. The 4th most in the NHL. Moving Byram for a RHD partner for Dahlin isn’t enough to solve that problem. By the way Dahlin likes to play the right side. Clifton, Samuelsson, and Bryson also need to go.

Did we really call a TO with 40 seconds left in the season. Seriously? Why did Philly pull the goalie? Gentlemen it doesn’t matter.

Ryan McLeod of the clan McLeod.

Scratch the goal. Sorry JJP

JJP matches last season’s goal total and seals the Sabres draft slot.

Kulich misses an open net, but labels a ref Peterka hits the side of a open net Krebs plunks a post on a 2 on 1. Because Buffalo

There is a huge difference between being a yes man (Adams) and someone TP respected for a time (Jbot). Adams is TP's pet. When TP speaks Adams says yes sir right away sir. When TP overreached Jbot stood his ground. Adams would have kept firing people until Pegula said stop.

Jbot wasn’t Pegula’s pet.

If he is announcing that Ruff will return, that pretty much confirms he'll be in charge of what happens to this team this offseason.

I have been a Sabres fan since year 1. My first Sabres games was the 1st Sabres game. I attended the first Cup finals, the two great Russian games and hundreds of home games and a fair number of away games over the years. This season is a critical offseason for me as a fan of this franchise. If they run it back again, can I seriously invest more time, money and care in this moribund franchise or is it time to start again with the ATL Team 3.0? The offseason, which is not officially even here, began at the deadline. The moves this offseason started with the acquisition of Norris (injured) and JBD, the re-signing of Zucker, Greenway (injured), and Bryson (why?). Ruff and Adams are confirmed as returning. Not exactly the start we were hoping for. I wrote before the 22/23 season that we needed the following It's sad that 3 years later we still need a partner/mentor for Power (also now injured) and need to replace UPL with a real goalie. I think without major improvements in the defense and goalie, I think it maybe time to move on until Adams and Pegula are gone. This team has no chance to succeed with management that doesn't understand the issues with their organization.

Impossible to answer until I see what transpires in the off-season. Right now the odds don’t look good. Adams and Ruff will be returning and the entire failed roster except Reimer is under contract or control. This includes the following players who had a negative impact on the team this season including Power, Clifton, Samuelsson, UPL, Malenstyn, Lafferty, Greenway, Bryson and Norris (who got injured for the season 3 games after being acquired). Krebs and Quinn were marginally positive players and only because of the low salaries. So basically 50% of the team had zero or a negative impact on the team this season. Hard to win that way. We need an extra Poll answer - No, not as currently constructed.

Yep. Another way to look at it is did the Sabres get decent or good value for a players contract cost. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6048291/2025/03/09/nhl-player-cards-atlantic/ Skaters only: We got positive value relative to their contracts (including ELCs) from Dahlin, Thompson, Tuch, JJP, Byram, Benson, McLeod, Kulich, Krebs and even Quinn. JBD also a positive, but small solid sample from time in Buffalo. Negative value from Cozens, Power, Norris, Joki, Samuelsson, Clifton, Greenway, Malenstyn, Byrson and Lafferty Not that any of this is a shock. Dahlin and most of the top 9 forwards are on the good list and the rest of the defense, the oft injured Norris and Greenway and Adams’ retooled 4th line all failed. This matches the eye test and confirms what I have been saying. Fix the defense (and goaltending) and you fix this team. Byram got a pass because he spent most of the season with Dahlin.