SabresVet

Sure, whatever. If I'm a player and know that my chosen medical professionals do not matter and my health long term is in question, I'll remember which teams did what. I will predict that at the next CBA, the players insist a new clause similar to the NFLPA's where a player can obtain surgery as was discussed late on the GR morning show today.

Today's PC demonstrates that Adams is focused on winning a battle but has lost sight of winning the war. For surface thinkers, Eichel is the battle. Having a playoff level hockey team is the war.

At this point the ship has sailed beyond the horizon. I expect Brisson to take an extraordinary step in this unique situation. He wasn't hired and being paid what he is to stand idly by for his client to remain injured and off-ice for an entire season. All I know is something's gonna happen from Jack's side.

I didn't say another team's free agents.

Destroying a person so publicly will have repercussions for this organization. This isn't as visible now, but I'll remember this day when players choose to hit UFA and/or don't re-sign here. I fail to see how this PR attempt to beat up their now former captain helps them in the long run. Seems like Adams is focused on only this situation with Eichel regardless of the impact it has later. And a GM has to be focused on the big picture, which Adams clearly isn't concerned with.

And the entire NHL world is watching this unfold. Players, agents, other executives. I can't see another top notch player wanting to come/remain here again unless they start winning. And the winning part is far off in the future if ever.

Indeed. Even if he maximizes the talent on that roster, it won't be enough to be better than a bottom quartile NHL franchise. A coach has a limited sphere of influence over an organization. Even the best coaches need more talent and it's a complete unknown how Adams provides that. Otherwise, Granato is set up to fail.

IMO, Adams has been on the clock since the day Krueger was fired. It's his show now. And just because the team isn't yet bad doesn't mean people can't see what a mess it is for at least 2021-22. The forwards especially need serious additions and Adams looked at trading Eichel to form that added talent. Without that, I fail to see where they add those players and become a playoff team. Furtherhmore, I'm not sure the timeline is ever met (2-3 seasons) for them to reach the playoffs if Eichel isn't traded. KA didn't want to relent on the surgery...OK given the risk involved. But if Eichel is as toxic as some are making it, how do you sell at your (Adams') asking price that player to another team?

Why do you assume the Sabres wanted a long term deal? Knowing how this off-season has gone, they're not in big spending mode. I do think it's equally likely that the player and agent are going to use these 3 years to gauge how the team improves. Especially considering his production depends on their forward depth which right now is among the worst in the NHL. My best guess is, 3 years works for the Sabres because they're not trying to spend a lot now as the team continues to lose money. And, for the player/agent to see what changes for the better in those 3 seasons.

Players and their agents expect teams to prove themselves before inking long term deals regardless of money offered. If the Sabres are winning in the playoffs then I can see Dahlin re-signing long term. If not, well, it'll go a way Buffalo fans know all too well.

Disagreement over surgery was reported as a major sticking point between the team and player and I'm confident other teams had concerns as well to trade for him with this injury. Yet now, with Brisson taking Eichel as a client we're moving toward the surgery after all? And, was it not the team doctors opposed to the ADR? I'd love to know why there's a change of direction on this issue. I'm all for Jack getting healthy and on the ice, but why could this not have happened months ago? Was that the Peter's being hard-a**es? Or, is Brisson more persuasive? Seems like the last few months were wasted.

I think much of the instant credibility assigned to Adams is just plain homerism combined with him being a new entity. He's got almost no track record leading an organization aside from being the in-effect #2 while Krueger was HC. Now, if he turned Jack into those 4 assets including top prospects then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt - for a while. At this point, the major moves aside from naming a HC have not been made. It's hard to judge Adams until he re-signs Dahlin and trades Eichel. He's got a lot to prove.

I see it as Jack's tired of the losing and knew a rebuild was ahead. He didn't want to hang around for that and eat up his prime years continuing to lose. But I also think that players know about organizations and saw the Pegula's stewardship as insufficient. Specifically, that it would not anytime soon produce a winner.

You think Adams has all the cards? How do you know the agent is boxed in and has no room to maneuver? Or, that Brisson, who just picked up a big client very unhappy with his team's management, will help said team? You've got to be kidding. This is a negotiation not a party dude. Brisson doesn't care what the return Buffalo receives back. I'm not predicting what this agent will do, only that something will happen where pressure is placed on the organization. Or, they'll come to some agreement that moves them out of the current stalemate.

I wouldn't approach this with a conventional mindset. There are untold variables that can change to drive a new result.

Some items to consider. If this drags into camp, Eichel shows, fails the physical and goes on IR. It'll be a topic of conversation hovering over the organization regardless. That's not what a youthful team that is going to hang out near the bottom of the standings wants as a distraction Or, if he shows, what if he passes the physical and begins playing...does a team losing money and sure to do more of that in 2021-22 want that contract? Pegula has reportedly balked at retaining any of Jack's salary, so I could see that hastening a move if this goes to camp. Brisson can wait out Adams as well. He's the biggest agent in the NHL and I'm pretty sure he can play hardball too.

You are entitled to think what you want, but the change in representation is about getting desired results for the new client. People here are speculating the situation remains status quo and praising the GM for that. I wouldn't be so quick to believe things won't change....whether that benefits the Sabres or not.

I have no doubt that Brisson knows how to make things happen and will generate the necessary leverage in any way possible. Time is not on Adams' side in this.

Brisson doesn't care about the Sabres at all and that's why it's necessary to take the fan hat off analyzing this situation. His only concern is getting his client out of this dumpster fire of a franchise. Brisson will build leverage and Eichel will be moved at some point before the season begins.

Adams can stand firm on his trade demands, but this waiting isn't without cost. Add in that you can bet Eichel hiring new representation will result in a new strategy to build leverage to get him traded. What that leverage is remains to be seen...but it'll be more that what the Peters delivered on behalf of their client.

Easier to trade Duchene when you've got MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Landeskog on the roster. This franchise has no one on par with those caliber forwards, making the looming Eichel trade much more crucial to future (hopefully) success. Lot of people focusing on winning the battle and ignorant of the war going on. KA can remain stoic and patient, but the Sabres have alienated talented players without having anyone to fill their roster slots. There's only a win if they receive back top end prospects who perform well and help carry this team into the playoffs relatively soon. Absent success in the near-term, it may not matter as much. We're going to find out though.

Or, it could go the route of what NFL agent Eugene Parker did to GM Russ Brandon circa early 2009 with Bills All-Pro OT Jason Peters. That was one-sided, although in this case the player is under contract at a high AAV.

I don't see Jack wanting to play for a rebuilding team in the prime of his career for a poorly run organization that is now focused on cutting costs.

Crosby wasn't demanding a trade, but coming off the concussion in 2011-12, he got a big contract from Pittsburgh. So there's that.

They are at a stalemate. We know Jack wants the surgery (apparently) and the Sabres won't permit it. Teams won't offer what Adams wants because they know the returning asset is not 100%. Unless Adams lowers his price and provides some health update to teams, this will carry into the pre-season. Then they'll have him in for a physical, determine he's not fit and put him on IR. Who knows how long, but you can't trade someone in that position. It's whyI don't believe Adams has a Plan B. Then again, neither does Eichel being under contract 5 more seasons.