'"Knowing next season wasn’t going to start on time, and that even the draft, usually held in June, was now going to be delayed, we decided to take this as an opportunity to change course," Pegula wrote. "A change in the GM position is never easy; continuity is often an advantage, particularly during these tumultuous times. But when the hockey gods give you the rare gift of … [Read more...] about Kim Pegula: Time off for Sabres allowed them ‘an opportunity to change course’
WGR
Sabres promote Crowe, Nightingale in scouting department
'Nightingale has served as the team's Director of Analytics for the past two seasons, and has been with the organization for the past seven seasons working in the analytics department.' … [Read more...] about Sabres promote Crowe, Nightingale in scouting department
Kevyn Adams has a low bar to clear for drafting
'It really starts in 2012. Darcy Regier, who was already on thin ice, took a chance on a polarizing Russian center named Mikhail Grigorenko. Big stats in juniors and filthy hands made fans excited, thinking they had gotten the steal of the draft. Then he showed up and everyone realized he couldn't skate. The Sabres selected a center that never had any business being selected … [Read more...] about Kevyn Adams has a low bar to clear for drafting
A lack of panic
'The next time this team hits the ice, if they’re rolling along with terrible special teams again, the wins aren’t coming, and the head coach is talking about how much everyone is getting along, who steps in to say “this isn’t working”?' … [Read more...] about A lack of panic
Shannon: Wouldn't surprise me if Krueger is named President
'"It would not surprise me within 24 months that Ralph Krueger is the President of Hockey Operations. It would not. He has a strong suit in that management. I also think, he has the ability to maybe solve a bit of those morale issues that the organization has right now. I do think there's a bigger role for Krueger than just being the head coach."' … [Read more...] about Shannon: Wouldn’t surprise me if Krueger is named President
Linus Ullmark showcases new pads with Sabres' change to royal blue
'The Sabres entered the National Hockey League in the 1970-71 season with the royal blue and gold colors as part of their logo and jerseys. After the team made the switch to black, red and silver from 1996-2006, the Sabres returned to wearing blue and gold on the ice, but it was a navy blue color instead of the lighter royal blue color.' … [Read more...] about Linus Ullmark showcases new pads with Sabres’ change to royal blue
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 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
Friedman: 'The days were numbered for Jason Botterill'
'"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’
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
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
Sabres fire general manager Jason Botterill
'Adams becomes the ninth general manager in franchise history, and the fourth general manager of the Sabres since the Pegulas bought the franchise back in 2011. The Clarence, New York native has been part of the Sabres organization since 2011 as a development coach after retiring from the NHL in 2009 after a 13-year career in professional hockey. The 45-year-old has also spent … [Read more...] about Sabres fire general manager Jason Botterill
Pegulas: Familiarity was a big factor in the hiring of Adams as general manager
'"We certainly had this conversation three weeks ago... certainly that was our intent that Jason was going to continue [as the general manager>," Kim said on Tuesday in a Zoom conference call with the Buffalo media. "If you recall at that time, we had just found out that the regular season had ended. And then in the next three weeks, especially with the announcement of the … [Read more...] about Pegulas: Familiarity was a big factor in the hiring of Adams as general manager