'"There's a lot of things to unpack. I just think that the more I look at it, the more I think that ever since Kevyn Adams was brought in, the Pegulas know him, they trust him. If you look back at Tim Graham's article from The Athletic in April, someone sent me a quote from there and it's one where [Kim Pegula] basically says that they trusted some people and it didn't work out … [Read more...] about Friedman: ‘The days were numbered for Jason Botterill’
Archives for June 2020
The more things change...
'In the nine years of the Pegula ownership, the Sabres have the lowest points percentage of any team in the NHL. The nine-year playoff drought is the longest in the league. The next longest active drought is just four years for the Detroit Red Wings. If the Sabres miss out on the playoffs again next season, they will equal the NHL record for the longest postseason drought in … [Read more...] about The more things change…
The five most memorable moments of the Sabres drought
'It is sad the top moment in nine years was Buffalo clinching last place in the 2014-2015 NHL standings but it is. April 10th, 2015 is probably the most excited the fanbase has been since the Sabres made back to back conference finals from 2005 to 2007.' … [Read more...] about The five most memorable moments of the Sabres drought
Friday's Rochester Coverage
Fired Amerks coach Taylor had verbal agreement to stay with Sabres (Buffalo News) Sabres fired Amerks coach Chris Taylor with no explanation (Olean Times Herald) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Rochester Coverage
You won’t see the Pegulas criticized here
'Yet I know full well, in buying the Bills and Sabres, the teams of which he was a lifelong fan, he felt he was doing absolutely the right thing for Western New York.' … [Read more...] about You won’t see the Pegulas criticized here
Sabres GM Kevyn Adams 'part of the process' before Jason Botterill's firing
'On the first official day of what he calls his "dream job," new Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams was tasked with firing more than 20 people over the phone in an unprecedented bloodletting of a hockey operations department that was overhauled only three years earlier.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM Kevyn Adams ‘part of the process’ before Jason Botterill’s firing
Job one for Kevyn Adams: Establish his credibility as an NHL GM
'"I believe you have to earn respect. You earn everything in life," Adams said during a conference call with The Buffalo News on Wednesday, a day after his stunning appointment to replace Jason Botterill. "For me, starting with the players and the coaching staff and the hockey operations and business staff, it's about doing things consistently the right way day after day after … [Read more...] about Job one for Kevyn Adams: Establish his credibility as an NHL GM
West Ellicott Man Forges Relationship With Adams
'“Kevyn’s always been underestimated, and now he’s holding the Stanley Cup,” Weaver said. “He’s a world champion and a top player in the NHL right now, and he’s a better person than a player.”' … [Read more...] about West Ellicott Man Forges Relationship With Adams
Gordo on the NHL: O'Reilly trade helped doom Botterill in Buffalo
'While the Blues got the future Conn Smythe Award winner on their Stanley Cup team, the Sabres got little from Berglund, Sobotka and Thompson during the past two seasons.' … [Read more...] about Gordo on the NHL: O’Reilly trade helped doom Botterill in Buffalo
The Edmonton Oilers jealous of the Buffalo Sabres rebuild? That is one comment that didn't age too well
'Now the Sabres have done what the Oilers did last year: axe the GM.' … [Read more...] about The Edmonton Oilers jealous of the Buffalo Sabres rebuild? That is one comment that didn’t age too well
Adams looking forward to the challenge ahead of him as general manager in Buffalo
'"Many of you know that I grew up in Western New York. I wore No. 11 when I started playing hockey because of watching Gilbert Perreault. This is a very special day for me and my family," Adams said Tuesday afternoon during his introductory Zoom conference call along with the Pegulas and Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger. "I am so excited to start this job, learn from Ralph … [Read more...] about Adams looking forward to the challenge ahead of him as general manager in Buffalo
An all-time bad day
'Ownership has been streamlining the operation for more than a year now. The way they handled their game night part-time employees, as well as people who worked full-time in the organization for 20 or 30 years, in the face of a global pandemic the likes of which we’ve never experienced, was an embarrassment.' … [Read more...] about An all-time bad day
With the Sabres, things can always get worse
'Among the Pegulas’ many flaws as owners is their boundless capacity for insulting their own fans. They once announced they were raising ticket prices on Fan Appreciation Night, then sent the team president out to pick up a fight with reporters at the press conference.' … [Read more...] about With the Sabres, things can always get worse
Thursday's Rochester Coverage
A day later, former Amerks coach Chris Taylor on his firing: 'I'm still shocked' (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) Sabres’ decision to fire Amerks coach Chris Taylor looks foolish (Olean Times Herald) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage
Jason Botterill fired by Sabres after receiving directive to cut spending
'Botterill was told his hockey operations department would need to become “leaner,” Sabres owner Terry Pegula said during a Zoom conference call Tuesday. A disconnect emerged through what Pegula called “detailed” conversations and ownership quickly decided to fire its third general manager since it purchased the team in February 2011.' … [Read more...] about Jason Botterill fired by Sabres after receiving directive to cut spending