'My other concern for the Sabres is simply one of time. Assuming the draft takes place in late October or early November, they’re looking at about five months to put a new crew together – including a new director of amateur scouting.' … [Read more...] about How will the Buffalo Sabres rebuild their scouting department?
Archives for June 2020
Leon Draisaitl Vs Jack Eichel: Who would you rather have?
'No more waffling. I choose Draisaitl. He’s a better faceoff man to get the puck. There is less chance he’ll make a sloppy play to lose the puck. His ability to score in tight is a bit better.' … [Read more...] about Leon Draisaitl Vs Jack Eichel: Who would you rather have?
Jack Eichel is the lone top-10 scorer to miss the playoffs
'The Boston College-product became exactly what the team, media, and fans embracing the tank thought he would be as a star forward. Each year, Eichel has improved in virtually every area, while it feels like the team has regressed since his first season.' … [Read more...] about Jack Eichel is the lone top-10 scorer to miss the playoffs
Sabres' shakeup means Ralph Krueger is moving up in power structure
'New General Manager Kevyn Adams fostered a relationship with Krueger much of the season while in his business role, drawing on Krueger's days as a team president in the English Premier League. And Adams apparently had a huge grip on Krueger's ears during that Western road trip in late February and early March. The events of the last few days show that what was discussed in … [Read more...] about Sabres’ shakeup means Ralph Krueger is moving up in power structure
Before firings, Sabres had extended contracts for assistant GMs during season
'Multiple sources confirmed to The News on Thursday that Botterill had verbal agreements in place to extend the contracts of Rochester coach Chris Taylor and player development coach Krys Barch. However, neither deal was completed before Botterill's firing, and Taylor and Barch were also let go. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the agreements.' … [Read more...] about Before firings, Sabres had extended contracts for assistant GMs during season
Pegulas are in the crosshairs as the league reacts to Sabres' firings
'But deeper inside the NHL, at the GM and on-ice level, the Pegulas have been openly laughed at. And the laughter has never been louder.' … [Read more...] about Pegulas are in the crosshairs as the league reacts to Sabres’ firings
Sabres fans cut to the quick by ownership
'What we don’t know about Adams is whether he truly can assess NHL talent. That’s the key to the job. Everything else is second to knowing who can play the game. If that sounds simplistic, it is, and simply too many GMs and scouting staffs get it wrong over and over and over again.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fans cut to the quick by ownership
Kim Pegula explains why she stands for anthem but supports those who kneel
'"Personally, I'm not going to kneel," Pegula said. "But we've been listening. We've been learning to love other people and understand experiences and what they have gone through, what they've experienced, and what maybe the anthem or the flag means to them, it's truly different than what I went through.' … [Read more...] about Kim Pegula explains why she stands for anthem but supports those who kneel
Adversity in Pegulaville leads to changes
'Disagreements over cost-cutting reportedly led to Botterill’s firing. When the Pegulas told Botterill that the hockey operations department would need to become “leaner,” the GM resisted. “We felt like we weren’t being heard,” Terry Pegula told reporters this week.' … [Read more...] about Adversity in Pegulaville leads to changes
Sullivan: Pegulas' Sabres moves raise more questions than answers
'For all I know, Adams could be the next Harry Sinden, Ken Holland or Steve Yzerman. He has done some good things in his nine years in the organization. But a team in utter disarray should have done a search and at least identified rising NHL personnel people — Chris Drury, anyone? — who might have wanted the job.' … [Read more...] about Sullivan: Pegulas’ Sabres moves raise more questions than answers
Fiddler's Facts: Buffalo Sabres clean house with huge shake-up
'I wonder why they fired Sexton, who is still under contract for two more years. Something happened to sour the Pegula family on the youthful Sabres, but what?' … [Read more...] about Fiddler’s Facts: Buffalo Sabres clean house with huge shake-up
Who's left? Meet the 15 who survived Sabres' purge
'His two departments, hockey operations and player development, now consist of 15 employees. Here is some background on the employees who remain...'. … [Read more...] about Who’s left? Meet the 15 who survived Sabres’ purge
Dismantling the Buffalo Sabres
'The three pillars of that foundation, three years later? "Effective, efficient and economic," Pegula said this week. "In today's sports world, with all the existing technology, we can move forward much leaner and much more efficient. We're gonna get leaner. It's just the way the world's heading." From the soaring language of "structure and character" to ... something one of … [Read more...] about Dismantling the Buffalo Sabres
What comes next for Buffalo Sabres after major course change?
'Any time a person is installed in a role beyond their experience, their best chance to succeed comes when they’re surrounded by good, experienced people. People to lean on. Kevyn Adams seems to be left mostly flapping in the wind here, devoid of any transition team. I can’t imagine sitting in that office today, closing the door, and being like, “OK! First order of business: … [Read more...] about What comes next for Buffalo Sabres after major course change?
Sabres let go of 22 hockey department staff members
'According to the staff directory page at the Sabres' website, only four amateur scouts and two pro scouts remain on staff at this time...'. … [Read more...] about Sabres let go of 22 hockey department staff members