Official Jason Karmanos Hired as Sabres Associate GM

[LGR4GM]

They should bring in Mike Gillis but I doubt he wants to be some type of assistant. 

[Flashsabre]

Why is Gillis such a sexy name for people? Guy hasn’t been in the league since 2014 and didn’t have tons of success when he was in it.  Anyone can throw out words like Analytics but words don’t mean much, look at Ralph.

[Trettioåtta]

If the rumours are all true, Rutherfords primary benefit to the Sabres would be as a big enough name to only agree to join if the Pegulas keep their hands out. Once he has achieved the space needed, he should put his feet up and relax - simply be on hand to bounce ideas about etc

[Hoss]

  On 4/2/2021 at 11:26 PM, Trettioåtta said:

If the rumours are all true, Rutherfords primary benefit to the Sabres would be as a big enough name to only agree to join if the Pegulas keep their hands out. Once he has achieved the space needed, he should put his feet up and relax - simply be on hand to bounce ideas about etc

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I think that’d sort of be the idea in an advisory role but I’d also like him to give Adams some direction. He’s had success in two very different situations.

[Kruppstahl]

  On 4/2/2021 at 11:26 PM, Trettioåtta said:

If the rumours are all true, Rutherfords primary benefit to the Sabres would be as a big enough name to only agree to join if the Pegulas keep their hands out. Once he has achieved the space needed, he should put his feet up and relax - simply be on hand to bounce ideas about etc

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Is a 72 year old Rutherford minus Pegula better than no Rutherford but with Pegula?

Maybe, perhaps probably, but we can do so much better.

 

[klos1963]

  On 4/3/2021 at 5:29 PM, Kruppstahl said:

Is a 72 year old Rutherford minus Pegula better than no Rutherford but with Pegula?

Maybe, perhaps probably, but we can do so much better.

 

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How many 'better' people want to come for Buffalo. If they're that good, they might wait for a different opportunity.  League perception might be you get 2 years and then you're gone.

[Curt]

  On 4/3/2021 at 5:29 PM, Kruppstahl said:

Is a 72 year old Rutherford minus Pegula better than no Rutherford but with Pegula?

Maybe, perhaps probably, but we can do so much better.

 

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The answer to your difficult to understand question is definitely yes.

Are you seriously wondering who the Sabres are better off having involved in hockey decisions, Terry Pegula or Jim Rutherford?

I get people questioning a few of Rutherford’s moves, but this is getting silly.

Edited April 3, 2021 by Curt

[French Collection]

I am no Rutherford fan but the guy has won 3 of the last 15 Cups with two different organizations.

I think he has a better hockey mind than all of the combined  Pegulas.

[Pimlach]

I was talking to some folks connected to past Sabres.  The feelings towards Adams are not very positive.  While Adams is thought to be a bright and likable guy, his bowing to Pegula’s cost cutting has caused him to lose much credibility.  Many of the hockey front office and scouts that were let go are still on contract, therefore important positions unfilled, yet people getting paid anyway.  The fact the Adams could not steer Pegula into smarter decisions regarding the layoffs, as well as more clarity on how unqualified Ralph was as a HC, has cost Adams credibility.  
 

There are several that feel Pegula is setting the team up for sale.   The massive cutting of operating costs will hopefully attract a buyer.  

Edited April 3, 2021 by Pimlach

[WildCard]

  On 4/3/2021 at 10:13 PM, Pimlach said:

I was talking to some folks connected to past Sabres.  The feelings towards Adams are not very positive.  While Adams is thought to be a bright and likable guy, his bowing to Pegula’s cost cutting has caused him to lose much credibility.  Many of the hockey front office and scouts that were let go are still on contract, therefore important positions unfilled, yet people getting paid anyway.  The fact the Adams could not steer Pegula into smarter decisions regarding the layoffs, as well as more clarity on how unqualified Ralph was as a HC, has cost Adams credibility.  
 

There are several that feel Pegula is setting the team up for sale.   The massive cutting of operating costs will hopefully attract a buyer.  

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Could you imagine that? That would have to be the most embarrassing ownership performance (outside if scandal or brief stints) in sports history. 

[Curt]

  On 4/3/2021 at 10:13 PM, Pimlach said:

I was talking to some folks connected to past Sabres.  The feelings towards Adams are not very positive.  While Adams is thought to be a bright and likable guy, his bowing to Pegula’s cost cutting has caused him to lose much credibility.  Many of the hockey front office and scouts that were let go are still on contract, therefore important positions unfilled, yet people getting paid anyway.  The fact the Adams could not steer Pegula into smarter decisions regarding the layoffs, as well as more clarity on how unqualified Ralph was as a HC, has cost Adams credibility.  
 

There are several that feel Pegula is setting the team for sale.   The massive cutting of operating costs will hopefully attract a buyer.  

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Can anyone give an explanation for the bolded?  Assuming this is true, why would they fire people who will need to be paid anyway if the object of the firings was to cut expenses?

Also, it should come as no surprise that a guy who was the public face of a mass firing did not gain any popularity from the exercise.

Edited April 3, 2021 by Curt

[SDS]

  On 4/3/2021 at 10:13 PM, Pimlach said:

I was talking to some folks connected to past Sabres.  The feelings towards Adams are not very positive.  While Adams is thought to be a bright and likable guy, his bowing to Pegula’s cost cutting has caused him to lose much credibility.  Many of the hockey front office and scouts that were let go are still on contract, therefore important positions unfilled, yet people getting paid anyway.  The fact the Adams could not steer Pegula into smarter decisions regarding the layoffs, as well as more clarity on how unqualified Ralph was as a HC, has cost Adams credibility.  
 

There are several that feel Pegula is setting the team up for sale.   The massive cutting of operating costs will hopefully attract a buyer.  

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This does not pass the smell test.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Any news yet?  Probably waiting until after the deadline.  Why get Kevyn some help at one of the most critical times of the year?

[Doohicksie]

  On 4/6/2021 at 12:29 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Any news yet?  Probably waiting until after the deadline.  Why get Kevyn some help at one of the most critical times of the year?

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I know.  They should have help here now.

Maybe he's not hiring any AGM but he's interviewing people for the spot, "If you got this job, name two trades you would propose."  😛

[Curt]

  On 4/6/2021 at 12:34 PM, Doohickie said:

I know.  They should have help here now.

Maybe he's not hiring any AGM but he's interviewing people for the spot, "If you got this job, name two trades you would propose."  😛

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Applicant: “Answers.....”

Kevy: (Scribbling furiously) “Sorry, could you repeat that last part.....actually, here, can you just write it down for me?” (Hands over pen and pad)

[Torpedo Forecheck]

 

[dudacek]

I would hope that this week, of all weeks, Kevyn is not focused on interviewing and negotiating for new front office staff.

[Radar]

  On 4/6/2021 at 12:29 PM, GASabresIUFAN said:

Any news yet?  Probably waiting until after the deadline.  Why get Kevyn some help at one of the most critical times of the year?

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Something makes me think if this rumored hire was true it would have happened. Usually once a legit source reports something it goes down pretty quickly. Not going on two weeks later. Not saying it won't happen but at this point I'd be surprised. As far as the coaching position I see that happening post season.

 

[LabattBlue]

  On 4/6/2021 at 4:26 PM, Radar said:

Something makes me think if this rumored hire was true it would have happened. Usually once a legit source reports something it goes down pretty quickly. Not going on two weeks later. Not saying it won't happen but at this point I'd be surprised. As far as the coaching position I see that happening post season.

 

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...and if it doesn’t happen at all, the first thing that comes to mind...what happened?

[dudacek]

  On 4/6/2021 at 4:26 PM, Radar said:

Something makes me think if this rumored hire was true it would have happened. Usually once a legit source reports something it goes down pretty quickly. Not going on two weeks later. Not saying it won't happen but at this point I'd be surprised.

 

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A lot of good observations here.

On the other hand, Chad did make it clear that these were ongoing discussions and that there was a desire to make multiple hires and announce them en masse.

What I've been watching with interest is the lack of any talk from the big boys like Friedman and Lebrun on this front. They chase smoke, and if one would think they would have chased Chad's report.

They seem tight with Rutherford and I wonder if they've been asked to sit on this for now in exchange for futures.

 

[nucci]

  On 4/2/2021 at 11:26 PM, Trettioåtta said:

If the rumours are all true, Rutherfords primary benefit to the Sabres would be as a big enough name to only agree to join if the Pegulas keep their hands out. Once he has achieved the space needed, he should put his feet up and relax - simply be on hand to bounce ideas about etc

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seems like a waste of money

[Kruppstahl]

  On 4/6/2021 at 4:26 PM, Radar said:

Something makes me think if this rumored hire was true it would have happened. Usually once a legit source reports something it goes down pretty quickly. Not going on two weeks later. Not saying it won't happen but at this point I'd be surprised. As far as the coaching position I see that happening post season.

 

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I don't consider Chad D. a legit source, even though a lot of Sabres fans seem to follow this guy for whatever reason.  He has gotten a few things right in the past, but he gets a lot of things wrong too.

Having said that, other *real* NHL sources have mentioned the name Karmanos in passing, but I often wonder if they say these things just because they hear them as well and want to sound informed.

I'm pretty sure Elliotte Friedman mentions Karmanos on one of his visits with The Instigators for example, but kind of in passing, like "he's hearing it might be him" etc.

I agree that if this report came from a solid source with a real leak, they probably would have hired the guy by now, right? 

I mean, get him in there and let him start helping with the GM search and a million other things that are going to need to be address this year.  Don't forget the expansion draft, to name 1!

 

[LGR4GM]

  On 4/6/2021 at 8:10 PM, Kruppstahl said:

I mean, get him in there and let him start helping with the GM search and a million other things that are going to need to be address this year.  Don't forget the expansion draft, to name 1!

 

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What gm search?

[dudacek]

We've seen a few references on here to Rutherford still being under contract.

Can any business lawyers explain how that works? Is it likely he had a clause in his contract that allowed him to quit but restrains him from taking work elsewhere?

[thewookie1]

  On 4/8/2021 at 2:15 PM, dudacek said:

We've seen a few references on here to Rutherford still being under contract.

Can any business lawyers explain how that works? Is it likely he had a clause in his contract that allowed him to quit but restrains him from taking work elsewhere?

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Perhaps it has to do with him resigning versus being fired?