Ruff and Adams end-of-season press conference: Saturday, April 19, 4:30pm

[GASabresIUFAN]

 

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-locker-cleanout-press-conferences-top-quotes-kevyn-adams-lindy-ruff

It's interesting reading some of these comments in print.  

1)  On Norris - Adams knew he was injured, but "we did this for long-term reasons."  I take that to mean Adams believes Norris is part of his core going forward.  

2) On Byram - "Bo had an excellent season." "I think he had a nice season." "He's a good player."  So which is it Kev? By the way he isn't a good player.  He is a talented offensive D who was terrible when not paired with Dahlin.  The most telling remark  "Lets bring in a really, really  good hockey player and see how it shakes out."  I translate that mean a highly talented player that Sabres management had no idea what to do with.

3) On Kulich - "tremendous rookie season." "he's definitely a center."  "He's very sound defensively"  Is there any question that he's one of our top 3 centers next season?  

4) On UPL - "I believe in UPL." (Ruff)  " I have a huge amount of faith in UPL"   This despite lousy stats in all his pro seasons except one.  The best news from the comments on UPL was the acknowledgement by both Ruff and Adams about how poor the defense is.  From Ruff - Until I get the team to clean up some of the poor puck play, it's going to be hard on any goalie."  From Adams - We need to play better in front of him."

Does this mean that might actually work hard this offseason to actually fix the defense or is it more talk and hope that the young players miraculously improve defensively?

5) On JBD - "JBD is pretty simple with the puck and makes good decisions."  Thinks he is a good pair for Power. 

6) On Power - Adams admits he's failed to support him properly.  " I haven't been able to get that right person (to play with Power)."  Seems to completely ignore Power's lack of physical play, poor puck decisions, poor positioning and general regression as a player. 

https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/after-struggling-and-getting-scratched-sabres-mattias-samuelsson-thrived-late/

7) Adams on Samuelsson - Strong play in the final weeks (when paired with Dahlin).  Wants him to "attack the offseason and be ready on Day One next year."  Does this mean Adams has no plans to buy him out or trade him this offseason?

Has anyone seen the comments on other players?

 

[Archie Lee]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Isn’t that a better track record than an organization that hasn’t seen the playoffs in 14 years run by a former player who had no coaching or management experience before being tapped to run that hapless organization?

Actually, no.  Hiring Ruff to be POHO is precisely the sort of thing a hapless organization that hasn’t seen the playoffs in 14 years and thought it would be a good idea to have Adams as the GM, would do. 

[DarthEbriate]

57 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

 

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-locker-cleanout-press-conferences-top-quotes-kevyn-adams-lindy-ruff

It's interesting reading some of these comments in print.  

3) On Kulich - "tremendous rookie season." "he's definitely a center."  "He's very sound defensively"  Is there any question that he's one of our top 3 centers next season?  

5) On JBD - "JBD is pretty simple with the puck and makes good decisions."  Thinks he is a good pair for Power. 

7) Adams on Samuelsson - Strong play in the final weeks (when paired with Dahlin).  Wants him to "attack the offseason and be ready on Day One next year."  Does this mean Adams has no plans to buy him out or trade him this offseason?

If Adams and Ruff are still the braintrust in 5 months...   

Yes, Kulich is centering a top 6 line with McLeod as 3C to either be a) the defensively responsible one for JJP/Quinn, or b) to for a defensive matchups line with a combo of Greenway/Zucker/Benson.

Power-JBD is pairing two and you hope hope hopehopehope that JBD becomes Hronek. Thus far I've not seen that. I've seen a mild upgrade from Joker and a better shot blocker, but for the folks clamoring for hits, JBD throws fewer hits per 60 than Joker did. He's still not the guy.

Samuelsson is Adams' guy. That contract is going to work out, by golly. Eventually that A is going to look just right on the sweater.

[GASabresIUFAN]

2 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

Samuelsson is Adams' guy. That contract is going to work out, by golly. Eventually that A is going to look just right on the sweater.

LOL, he needs to be bought out.

[Stoner]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

And he's got the old man smell and droopy lid. Amirite?

[Doohickie]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

7) Adams on Samuelsson - Strong play in the final weeks (when paired with Dahlin).  Wants him to "attack the offseason and be ready on Day One next year."  Does this mean Adams has no plans to buy him out or trade him this offseason?

Muel's problem isn't how much we pay him.  It's his ability to stay healthy.  I hate that he's spent so much time in IR, but when he's healthy he's fine.

[LGR4GM]

24 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

Muel's problem isn't how much we pay him.  It's his ability to stay healthy.  I hate that he's spent so much time in IR, but when he's healthy he's fine.

Not away from Dahlin. Samuelsson is mediocre and overpaid.

[Flashsabre]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I don’t want Ruff leading hockey ops myself but if I had to choose between Adams and Ruff at this point I’d go Ruff. We’ve seen what Adams has done and if Terry isn’t going to be bothered bringing in a qualified person for the role I would rank Ruff over Adams. But I don’t think either is a good choice.👍

[Flashsabre]

If I was Adams though I would go into my meeting with Terry and say: “I listened to everything you said and did everything you wanted done.”  Could Terry can him at that point?😝

[Drag0nDan]

3 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

If I was Adams though I would go into my meeting with Terry and say: “I listened to everything you said and did everything you wanted done.”  Could Terry can him at that point?😝

I mean... yes?  He's the scapegoat for the mistakes TP made as an owner.

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

 

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-locker-cleanout-press-conferences-top-quotes-kevyn-adams-lindy-ruff

It's interesting reading some of these comments in print.  

1)  On Norris - Adams knew he was injured, but "we did this for long-term reasons."  I take that to mean Adams believes Norris is part of his core going forward.  

2) On Byram - "Bo had an excellent season." "I think he had a nice season." "He's a good player."  So which is it Kev? By the way he isn't a good player.  He is a talented offensive D who was terrible when not paired with Dahlin.  The most telling remark  "Lets bring in a really, really  good hockey player and see how it shakes out."  I translate that mean a highly talented player that Sabres management had no idea what to do with.

3) On Kulich - "tremendous rookie season." "he's definitely a center."  "He's very sound defensively"  Is there any question that he's one of our top 3 centers next season?  

4) On UPL - "I believe in UPL." (Ruff)  " I have a huge amount of faith in UPL"   This despite lousy stats in all his pro seasons except one.  The best news from the comments on UPL was the acknowledgement by both Ruff and Adams about how poor the defense is.  From Ruff - Until I get the team to clean up some of the poor puck play, it's going to be hard on any goalie."  From Adams - We need to play better in front of him."

Does this mean that might actually work hard this offseason to actually fix the defense or is it more talk and hope that the young players miraculously improve defensively?

5) On JBD - "JBD is pretty simple with the puck and makes good decisions."  Thinks he is a good pair for Power. 

6) On Power - Adams admits he's failed to support him properly.  " I haven't been able to get that right person (to play with Power)."  Seems to completely ignore Power's lack of physical play, poor puck decisions, poor positioning and general regression as a player. 

https://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/after-struggling-and-getting-scratched-sabres-mattias-samuelsson-thrived-late/

7) Adams on Samuelsson - Strong play in the final weeks (when paired with Dahlin).  Wants him to "attack the offseason and be ready on Day One next year."  Does this mean Adams has no plans to buy him out or trade him this offseason?

Has anyone seen the comments on other players?

 

You gave a number of well thought out responses. Just responding to a couple of them. A priority has to be to find a suitable partner for Power. As you well know, I’m a staunch believer in the talents of Power, much more than you do. This has to be one of his off-season priorities.

With respect to Samuelson, he did play well when paired with Dahlin. And it was evident that he didn’t diminish Dahlin’s play in any fashion. So I disagree with you that his contract should be bought. This bumbling franchise needs to add talent, not subtract talent already in hand. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

42 minutes ago, JohnC said:

You gave a number of well thought out responses. Just responding to a couple of them. A priority has to be to find a suitable partner for Power. As you well know, I’m a staunch believer in the talents of Power, much more than you do. This has to be one of his off-season priorities.

With respect to Samuelson, he did play well when paired with Dahlin. And it was evident that he didn’t diminish Dahlin’s play in any fashion. So I disagree with you that his contract should be bought. This bumbling franchise needs to add talent, not subtract talent already in hand. 

So you want to keep an overpaid oft injured player because he played 20 decent games with best player, the same best player who makes everyone he plays with look good?  or.... you could buyout/trade the overpaid oft injured player and open a roster spot for an actual good player who will improve the worst defense in the NHL.  

Edited 10 hours ago by GASabresIUFAN

[JohnC]

9 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

So you want to keep an overpaid oft injured player because he played 20 decent games with best player, the same best player who makes everyone he plays with look good?  or.... you could buyout/trade the overpaid oft injured player and open a roster spot for an actual good player who will improve the worst defense in the NHL.  

To be succinct, yes to what I said and emphatic no to your position on Samuelsson. He stabilized his game playing on the first pair. So what is your complaint? As a first pairing player his contract is not outside the boundaries in that role.

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

To be succinct, yes to what I said and emphatic no to your position on Samuelsson. He stabilized his game playing on the first pair. So what is your complaint? As a first pairing player his contract is not outside the boundaries in that role.

 

That's an illusion John, he is not a top pair D.  Dahlin makes him appear to be a better player than he is.  At some point we need to stop wasting Dahlin and get him a legit partner so that Dahlin can be free instead of having to carry his partner all the time. 

The truth remains that only Dahlin (and maybe JBD in a depth role) should be brought back on defense next season.  Obviously that's not realistic, but Samuelsson, Clifton, Bryson and either Power or Byram need to go. 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

That's an illusion John, he is not a top pair D.  Dahlin makes him appear to be a better player than he is.  At some point we need to stop wasting Dahlin and get him a legit partner so that Dahlin can be free instead of having to carry his partner all the time. 

The truth remains that only Dahlin (and maybe JBD in a depth role) should be brought back on defense next season.  Obviously that's not realistic, but Samuelsson, Clifton, Bryson and either Power or Byram need to go. 

I say this with no animosity or rancor but you are being unrealistic. There is a saying: Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.

Dahlin has been playing at a premier level regardless who he is paired with. Samuelsson has stabilized his game and in no way has negatively impaired Dahlin’s game. So what is your problem with the pairing that has worked well? I suggest you channel your stirred up energy on finding a suitable partner for Power.

[Archie Lee]

11 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I say this with no animosity or rancor but you are being unrealistic. There is a saying: Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.

Dahlin has been playing at a premier level regardless who he is paired with. Samuelsson has stabilized his game and in no way has negatively impaired Dahlin’s game. So what is your problem with the pairing that has worked well? I suggest you channel your stirred up energy on finding a suitable partner for Power.

I agree in this sense: if everyone plays well with Dahlin and less so without him, then why not just pick Dahlin's partner once an for all and at least let that guy grow into the role of the 1st pairing partner of a Norris-trophy-level d-man.  Then decide who you are keeping amongst the other d-men and go out and get the best partners you can for them.  Why diminish everyone's value by showing the world they are only good with Dahlin?

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

I agree in this sense: if everyone plays well with Dahlin and less so without him, then why not just pick Dahlin's partner once an for all and at least let that guy grow into the role of the 1st pairing partner of a Norris-trophy-level d-man.  Then decide who you are keeping amongst the other d-men and go out and get the best partners you can for them.  Why diminish everyone's value by showing the world they are only good with Dahlin?

As I stated with Atlanta George, I believe the priority should be finding  a suitable partner for Power in order to put him in a better situation to succeed. Ideally, it would be a more rugged and defensively oriented partner to better complement the young player’s game.

I also have a higher opinion of Samuelsson’s game of late. I thought he finished the season playing solidly. I just think there are other more important issues to address this off-season.

[GASabresIUFAN]

27 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I say this with no animosity or rancor but you are being unrealistic. There is a saying: Don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.

Dahlin has been playing at a premier level regardless who he is paired with. Samuelsson has stabilized his game and in no way has negatively impaired Dahlin’s game. So what is your problem with the pairing that has worked well? I suggest you channel your stirred up energy on finding a suitable partner for Power.

 

12 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

I agree in this sense: if everyone plays well with Dahlin and less so without him, then why not just pick Dahlin's partner once an for all and at least let that guy grow into the role of the 1st pairing partner of a Norris-trophy-level d-man.  Then decide who you are keeping amongst the other d-men and go out and get the best partners you can for them.  Why diminish everyone's value by showing the world they are only good with Dahlin?

But you are diminishing Dahlin in the process.  How good could he be without having to carry his D partner every game? it's like putting a 300lbs jockey on Secretariat.  Sure Secretariat will still run pretty fast, but he isn't winning the Derby with the 300lbs jockey.  Dahlin with a good partner would be the best defenseman in the NHL.  With the crap he has to play with, he is barely in the Norris conversation.  

[Pimlach]

6 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I think it's pretty damning that Pegula can't be bothered to deal with his hockey team because of the NFL draft. Really shows his priorities. 

Terry wants to be in the room where it happens. 

 

 

[dudacek]

14 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

 

But you are diminishing Dahlin in the process.  How good could he be without having to carry his D partner every game? it's like putting a 300lbs jockey on Secretariat.  Sure Secretariat will still run pretty fast, but he isn't winning the Derby with the 300lbs jockey.  Dahlin with a good partner would be the best defenseman in the NHL.  With the crap he has to play with, he is barely in the Norris conversation.  

Meh. Diminishing returns.

Dahlin is elite with whoever he plays with.

He’s a top 5 defenceman with a $4M partner. He and Byram were among the most successful #1 defence pairings in the league.

How much better does it make the Sabres if he gets an $8M partner?

It’s Power and the 2nd pairing that needs the partner upgrade.

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Meh. Diminishing returns.

Dahlin is elite with whoever he plays with.

He’s a top 5 defenceman with a $4M partner. He and Byram were among the most successful #1 defence pairings in the league.

How much better does it make the Sabres if he gets an $8M partner?

It’s Power and the 2nd pairing that needs the partner upgrade.

Yep.  IF they bring in a TRUE #2 D-man, the team is likely better off using him the way Anaheim used Pronger and Niedermayer than by pairing them together.

And, it seemed that concept was something Ruff was trying to mimic after the deadline - having his 3 best D-men each playing with one of the bottom 3 guys.  (Not going to debate whether Byram should be considered one of the top 3 via analytics; the Sabres considered him their 2nd best D-man.)

The thinking heading into the season was through most of the game Dahlin would be paired with Samuelsson and then end the game with Power as the D-bench shortened at the end of close games.  But with Dahlin not being 100% at the beginning, it didn't work.  (It didn't come close to working.)

When Samuelsson was paired with Dahlin at the end of the year, it worked much better.  They seem to believe it was due to Samuelsson improving over the season; personally give at least as much of the credit for that improvement to Dahlin being at/near 100%.

[DarthEbriate]

2 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Meh. Diminishing returns.

Dahlin is elite with whoever he plays with.

He’s a top 5 defenceman with a $4M partner. He and Byram were among the most successful #1 defence pairings in the league.

How much better does it make the Sabres if he gets an $8M partner?

It’s Power and the 2nd pairing that needs the partner upgrade.

Regardless of partner, Dahlin is only getting leaguewide recognition and becoming a Norris finalist if they make the playoffs. Until then, he's a great player on a garbage team. The garbagiest of garbage teams. 

For ROI, getting Power a legitimate partner is the way to go, particularly since the plan is skate him 22 minutes/night. And the partner needs to be able to kill penalties that you don't want Dahlin/Power doing as their primary special team role. Kill two mynocks with one Force-thrown stone.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

 

But you are diminishing Dahlin in the process.  How good could he be without having to carry his D partner every game? it's like putting a 300lbs jockey on Secretariat.  Sure Secretariat will still run pretty fast, but he isn't winning the Derby with the 300lbs jockey.  Dahlin with a good partner would be the best defenseman in the NHL.  With the crap he has to play with, he is barely in the Norris conversation.  

Dahlin is going to be the dominant partner with whomever he is paired with. He’s not in the Norris conversation because he plays on an irrelevant and inconsequential team. Everyone in the hockey business recognizes how good he is. However, he is not going to get the official recognition because he plays on a Pegula owned team.

[GASabresIUFAN]

So Van has Quinn Hughes and acquires Hronek to partner with him to insure a dynamic pair.  Colorado acquires Devon Toews to partner with Makar to have a dynamic pair.  We on the other hand saddle Dahlin with Byram, Samuelsson, Power and other defensively challenged players and people here are ok with not giving Dahlin the right partner to maximize his potential.  It would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.  

Dahlin and Power need legit partners next season!  Power needs a mentor and a smart partner who can help him play 2 way hockey (Orlov?).  Dahlin needs good skating defensively sound partner who can free him up to dominate offensively.  

[Thorner]

8 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I think it's pretty damning that Pegula can't be bothered to deal with his hockey team because of the NFL draft. Really shows his priorities. 

Absentee