What will be the Sabres approach at the trade deadline?

[Sidc3000]

1 hour ago, SabreFinn said:

It was a joke, I think a retool is needed. But making the right trades are difficult, unfortunately that is a position they have put themselves into. And trade deadline is usually not right time to do that for a team in Sabres position. Unless they want draftpicks in return. It sounds like they want hockeytrades though.

True. No doubt the off season is the time to work trades. We’ll see what happens in the summer

[HumanSlinky39]

5 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Players burnt out from losing - means more want out. 

Sabres overly cautious - means FO has no answers. 
 

They went all in on KA's approach of loading up on "skill" regardless of how it fit into the roster as a whole. They were emboldened by encouraging early returns when the team played really well over the last couple of months of the 2022/23 season. What they failed to identify is that that was likely an aberration based on teams not knowing how to handle the Sabres offense first (only?) attack. The league caught on and the Sabres growth has plateaued at best and regressed badly in many cases. Glaring deficiencies are obvious to anyone with 2 firing neurons in their brain and it's pretty evident there is/was no Plan B.

If they're afraid to make roster alterations because other guys they've traded have gone on to have great success, God help us. They want to make "hockey trades"? Okay, they're gonna have to go find partners with assets that don't have NTC/NMCs. Then they have a short window to win to keep those guys from wanting out.

In short, it's a big ***** sandwich and we're all gonna have to take a bite. 

Edited March 3 by HumanSlinky39

[GASabresIUFAN]

As I am watching the Sabres attempt to comeback against the Habs without Mule and Joki in the lineup, I think the deadline strategy is becoming a little clearer.

The Strategy

1) Move players management does want back or who don’t want to return -  Joki, Mule, and possibly Zucker and Greenway fit the bill.  I think Adams will take futures for these guys.  

2) The big trade - Guys like Cozens, Quinn, JJP, Tuch, Byram and Power have appeared in the rumor mill.  I don’t see any of them being moved unless it’s in a “hockey” trade.  Adams is going to want an NHL player or two under contract or control for any of the players mentioned.  All these guys are under contract and control so there is no urgency to move any of them.  If Adams doesn’t like any of the offers he can always wait until the summer when hockey trades maybe easier to make.

If Mule isn't traded he’ll be bought out this summer.  I’m currently no longer expecting a big trade and think only 2 of the 1st group will be traded as Adams might be willing to keep Greenway and or Zucker to see if he can get them signed.

Edited March 4 by GASabresIUFAN

[GASabresIUFAN]

I’m going to amend my earlier post and say you can still do a series of trades that result in a roster upgrade, but it takes a creative GM.

For example:  Adams could trade Cozens to team A for picks and prospects and then turn around and trade those assets for a top 4 RHD from Team B.  To do this effectively Adams would have to have both deals committed too before pulling the trigger.  

Edited March 4 by GASabresIUFAN

[Mr Peabody]

Nice interview with Tage.  Usually not much said in these; refreshing change. 

[Forecheck]

Sabres approach…stand around and watch. 
 

Oh I’m sure Adams will make 1-2 meaningless trades from the 3rd or 4th lines. He will do NOTHING to drastically improve this team. And for those say well just wait for the off season, yeah we’ve heard and hoped for that before as well. He sits on his hands come summertime as well. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

New plan

TP fires Adams and makes Karmanos interim GM.

Karmanos trades the UFAs for a couple of 2nd rd picks and other junk.

Terry then does an "overhaul" in the offseason hires Cammi Granato as GM with Ruff kicked upstairs as team President.  Terry requires Cammi to keep Felton and Karmanos as her deputies.  

Adams remains with the team as Terry's personal valet.  

 

 

Edited March 5 by GASabresIUFAN

[HumanSlinky39]

What they should do...

[Carmel Corn]

16 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

New plan

TP fires Adams and makes Karmanos interim GM.

Karmanos trades the UFAs for a couple of 2nd rd picks and other junk.

Terry then does an "overhaul" in the offseason hires Cammi Granato as GM with Ruff kicked upstairs as team President.  Terry requires Cammi to keep Felton and Karmanos as her deputies.  

Adams remains with the team as Terry's personal valet.  

 

 

Sorry, but I don't want to see another Granato in this organization.  You also forgot to include Seth Appert being named head coach (it's inevitable)

[GASabresIUFAN]

8 minutes ago, Carmel Corn said:

Sorry, but I don't want to see another Granato in this organization.  You also forgot to include Seth Appert being named head coach (it's inevitable)

My bad. Sorry! 

[Flashsabre]

Over/Under on Adams uttering “trades are hard” Friday night after dealing Joker for a conditional 7th just before the deadline?

[SABRES 0311]

GMKA:

[Flashsabre]

Paul Hamilton  reporting that Kevin Adams is traveling with the team to Florida, this will be the first time in 5 years he has decided to do this at the deadline.

OMG if the palm trees won’t come to Buffalo Kevyn is going to the Palm Trees!!! True Leadership😁

[mjd1001]

40 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Paul Hamilton  reporting that Kevin Adams is traveling with the team to Florida, this will be the first time in 5 years he has decided to do this at the deadline.

OMG if the palm trees won’t come to Buffalo Kevyn is going to the Palm Trees!!! True Leadership😁

Adams:  We had a trade worked out with another team, but I wasn't in the office. Another GM tried to call me to complete a trade but I was: 1.) getting my rental car -or- 2.) in that window during takoeff or landing where I couldn't use my phone -or- 3.) checking into my hotel room and I didn't want to see rude to the hotel employee and answer my phone in front of them.

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, Flashsabre said:

Paul Hamilton  reporting that Kevin Adams is traveling with the team to Florida, this will be the first time in 5 years he has decided to do this at the deadline.

OMG if the palm trees won’t come to Buffalo Kevyn is going to the Palm Trees!!! True Leadership😁

Cool. Who does he do-right by this season by giving them to Florida? Tuch to replace LTIR Tkachuk?  (More likely Zucker)

"He's done so much for our franchise and we want him to be happy. That means a lot to players around the league. They appreciate that and will sign here."

[Nitro60]

Sabres will do nothing at the deadline.  I expect the overhaul to occur during the summer.

[Doohicksie]

1 hour ago, Nitro60 said:

Sabres will do nothing at the deadline.  I expect the overhaul to occur during the summer under the new GM.

fify 😉 

[JP51]

On 2/5/2025 at 3:01 PM, inkman said:

Casey isn’t a part of the solution. They need more engaged, intense players. I know Zucker has rubbed some the wrong way with the Tage hit but Jason is more of what we need than what we don’t need.  We need more professional men on the team as opposed to the kiddie lineup we keep icing year after year. 

This... ^^^^   

1 hour ago, Nitro60 said:

Sabres will do nothing at the deadline.  I expect the overhaul to occur during the summer.

One can only hope there is a new GM... and a POHO ... because I think there is an equal chance that Terry finds Russ Brandon and makes him the GM... 

[kas23]

I would not move any players right now. However, I would fire Adams and Lindy right now. Make Karmanos the interim GM and Appert the interim HC. There’s no reason to sit on our hands. The final hire of the new GM (which may be Karmanos) should be completed by the end of the season and he should assess our pending FAs and hire a new coach. Appert should fired at this time. 

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

My problem with Adams is he doesn't have the Sabres pedigree that is a Sabres general manager. Being of an age going back to Punch, our GM's were bold. They made moves. Adams is soooó gun shy. Hell, even though Murray flamed out, he tried. That is sad thing about Adams. He forgets to take the balls off the mantle, because he got comfortable.  That is an indictment.

[inkman]

4 minutes ago, kas23 said:

I would not move any players right now. However, I would fire Adams and Lindy right now. Make Karmanos the interim GM and Appert the interim HC. There’s no reason to sit on our hands. The final hire of the new GM (which may be Karmanos) should be completed by the end of the season and he should assess our pending FAs and hire a new coach. Appert should fired at this time. 

Not really invested in what they do with Adams.  I’m still not convinced he’s going anywhere.  Firing Lindy now or even after the season would be doing him pretty dirty.  I mean he probably deserves it but you have to maintain face as an org.  Maybe move him into a different role but straight up canning him is a terrible looks.  

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

Continuing on my riff... If Adams blames outside things as to why players won't come here, why is he a GM? I don't know, maybe because he can't sell which is a GM is paid to do. Sorry Kevin boyo. but maybe spending time in the summers at Chautauqua Lake instead of fixing your mess is a look in the mirror thing.

[mjd1001]

16 minutes ago, inkman said:

Not really invested in what they do with Adams.  I’m still not convinced he’s going anywhere.  Firing Lindy now or even after the season would be doing him pretty dirty.  I mean he probably deserves it but you have to maintain face as an org.  Maybe move him into a different role but straight up canning him is a terrible looks.  

Is Lindy a bad coach now? Maybe. Is he a good coach now? Maybe.  The players and the way this roster is put together is the issue to me.

[Carmel Corn]

2 hours ago, Nitro60 said:

Sabres will do nothing at the deadline.  I expect the overhaul to occur during the summer.

 

59 minutes ago, Doohicksie said:

fify 😉 

Maybe trade Joki is all that will happen Friday.  As far as an “overhaul”, I am less optimistic of that happening until 2026.  The ownership and management is that bad that they can’t objectively see how awful they are.

21 minutes ago, inkman said:

Not really invested in what they do with Adams.  I’m still not convinced he’s going anywhere.  Firing Lindy now or even after the season would be doing him pretty dirty.  I mean he probably deserves it but you have to maintain face as an org.  Maybe move him into a different role but straight up canning him is a terrible looks.  

He may get another job in the team administration……paving the way for Head Coach Seth Appert

[Carmel Corn]

30 minutes ago, kas23 said:

I would not move any players right now. However, I would fire Adams and Lindy right now. Make Karmanos the interim GM and Appert the interim HC. There’s no reason to sit on our hands. The final hire of the new GM (which may be Karmanos) should be completed by the end of the season and he should assess our pending FAs and hire a new coach. Appert should fired at this time. 

So you want to let our pending UFA’s walk away for nothing in return???