It is really hard to tell…
No doubt we are all disappointed regarding the level of play and the likely eventual outcome of the Sabres season – yet another year of missed playoffs. Some blame players, some coaching, some the GM, and the owner certainly has not escaped fan wrath and even disgust.
The plan for this rebuild seemed solid – build from within with multiple years of high draft picks, and choosing guys who want to be in Buffalo. That mostly leaves out signings of big names for splashy contracts, which I am okay with. We do have high taxes, and no palm trees, things that might be work against some of those big names wanting to be here. Also, from a fan perspective, I kind of recall big name and saviors not working out well here in free agency (cue Ville Leino and Taylor Hall videos). Now those might not have been really big names, but also did not make us winners.
So Kevyn Adams had some work to do in the off season:
1.) Get a hard working, hard nose coach to develop players and hold them accountable. I think Lindy Ruff was an excellent choice. You may disagree, but at least he was not a bad or wrong choice.
2.) Keep developing those pIayers -One issue became the regression at a key time (I refer to both the nightmare losing streak before Christmas, as well as the first 1/3 of the season) when everyone we needed to improve got worse. They didn’t even maintain, they got worse. Cozens, Peterka, Quinn, Samuelsson, Power. Name most players, they are on this list. I will say Benson, Kulich, healthy Dahlin, Kozak, Byrum, Greenway, and several other returners or guys in development have looked great.
3.) Sign some free agents – Some guys with experience, grit, winning backgrounds – McCloud, Malenstyn, Lafferty, Gilbert have not disappointed and maybe have exceeded expectations. Jason Zucker I thought was a silly overpay for an older guy, but we were going to be desperate for offense, and he is providing that and more, a very good signing indeed!
4.) Sign a right shot 2nd pairing (or higher) defenseman – failure. I do think our defense is good enough make the playoffs as it is, but this still is a need. The return of Sammy has been impressive as I thought he looked clueless, lost, and slow in the start of the season. Still a bit slow I think, but now engaged and seems to be in the right places.
5.) Sign or trade for a top 6 winger – failure. We need more scoring from different lines, which was sorely lacking during the slump/ crash. I do not blame this on Kevyn totally. I think they had cap space set aside. Still do. I think dumping Skinner made us better (Edmonton will follow suit I bet) and gave us $ long term. But players would not sign. Necas would have been a huge add, but apparently he said he would not sign. Add his numbers to one of our lines and we would be so much better. I think most players still will not sign here as free agents, so the only way to add will be through trades.
Our trade options are limited by both the large number of no movement clauses in the league in scorers, and NHL GM’s are trading nothing to Buffalo without getting quality back. We have quality, on good contracts. We have prospects who are in the AHL playing well. We have picks. But what are you willing to give to get, before the trade deadline or over the summer?
In the end, I think Kevyn is safe for this year (sorry to disappoint those with your torch forks already lit). Terry P flying in to a meeting says that to me. He is supporting his guy. Kevyn did what I think he had control over, but it was not enough.
He must do more to make us better. It might have to wait until the off season, where he can pursue signing guys (still going to have those same issues) or trades – but I think he stays at least through this season and part of next if there is not improvement. So his seat is lukewarm at best, in my opinion.