Cody Eakin and John Hayden can't stay, regardless of culture

[LGR4GM]

Whether it is at the trade deadline or this offseason, Cody Eakin can no longer be a part of the active roster moving forward. He does literally nothing but faceoffs well and some things he truly does horrendously. What does this chart tell us? His offensive zone metrics are all awful, he doesn't cycle the puck well, pass well, shoot well, maintain possession well, get possession once lost well, he is bad at enterting the zone in control, he can't even recover on dump ins, his controlled exits are terrible. The only thing he is mildly okay at is nothing. And Hayden isn't good either but it is called the Eakin line for a reason. Hayden is just as bad 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

You might want to read the Athletic yesterday if you get it. John Vogl interview discusses Adams trading (or not) players that contribute to the culture.

https://theathletic.com/3187716/2022/03/15/gm-kevyn-adams-qa-on-short-and-long-term-plans-for-the-sabres-and-their-prospects-maintaining-team-culture-and-more/

Edited March 16, 2022 by PromoTheRobot

[LGR4GM]

Culture does matter but if we stand around twiddling our thumbs because one or both of these guys are good locker room guys, we are doing the other 21 players on the roster a disservice. We talk about getting serious and winning and you can't do that if you are finding excuses to keep Eakin and Hayden around, sadly the have either a few days or about a month left of their time in Buffalo. 

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

You might want to read the Athletic yesterday if you get it. John Vogl interview discusses Adams trading (or not) players that contribute to the culture.

https://theathletic.com/3187716/2022/03/15/gm-kevyn-adams-qa-on-short-and-long-term-plans-for-the-sabres-and-their-prospects-maintaining-team-culture-and-more/

Already read it. That is what prompted this thread. Again, keep them until the end of the year if you want to continue to impress the culture on the younger guys but you absolutely must find culture guys that are better at hockey. 

[SwampD]

This is getting old. We know.

And we know.

Dont really care about the rest of this year other than I want to be entertained. But we need good players on the team next year otherwise this is all for naught.

[tom webster]

This debate has been going for years, albeit with different terminology. I remember Chuck Knox bringing in Phil Vilipiano and Isaih Robertson for the same effect. He insisted they were important to the growth of the team but let them go as soon as they weren’t useful. I still consider the Bobby Chandler/Phil V trade one of the worst Bills’ moves ever, but Knox had results to back him up.

If Eakin and Hayden have done their job helping build the “culture,” moving on from them shouldn’t be an issue.

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Culture does matter but if we stand around twiddling our thumbs because one or both of these guys are good locker room guys, we are doing the other 21 players on the roster a disservice. We talk about getting serious and winning and you can't do that if you are finding excuses to keep Eakin and Hayden around, sadly the have either a few days or about a month left of their time in Buffalo. 

Already read it. That is what prompted this thread. Again, keep them until the end of the year if you want to continue to impress the culture on the younger guys but you absolutely must find culture guys that are better at hockey. 

Agree. 
 

We get to see what Adams is really made of in the off season. IMO he must acquire a few players to improve this team and help us compete.  I’m not talking about rookies like Power and Quinn either.  

He has done a nice job instilling a good culture, meaning that now players stick together and play for each other.  That is happening.    Next step is to maintain that good culture and make winning part of it.  

Success next season means compete for playoffs and get the fans back.  

Edited March 16, 2022 by Pimlach

[That Aud Smell]

I have enjoyed hearing national announcers -- from both ESPN and TSN -- refer to John Hayden as "Big John Hayden."

 

But beyond that - he can go, for sure.

[Marvin]

Maybe AHL vets in Rochester.  That's my max.  No time in the NHL unless the disaster list of injuries hits again.  I hope GMKA is on my page.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Neither guy should have ever been signed and neither guy should play again for this team ever.  Eakin isn’t an NHL players any longer and Hayden never was one.

They should be sent packing and they can take Bjork with them.  Butcher, Miller, and Hagg need to follow them out of town.  Like Hayden and Eakin, Butcher should have never been acquired.

[French Collection]

2 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Neither guy should have ever been signed and neither guy should play again for this team ever.  Eakin isn’t an NHL players any longer and Hayden never was one.

They should be sent packing and they can take Bjork with them.  Butcher, Miller, and Hagg need to follow them out of town.  Like Hayden and Eakin, Butcher should have never been acquired.

Miller is a JAG+ player but I don’t want him even though he is a RHD.

[Mustache of God]

There is zero chance Eakin or Hayden will be on the team next season.