Friedman believes changes are coming to Sabres Front Office; UPL Available?

[Scottysabres]

9 hours ago, Brawndo said:

 

Friedman does wonder if Adams will get a change in his job title 

Parking attendant at harbor center?

[Brawndo]

5 hours ago, Pimlach said:

yes, close enough.   

But - Forton (reminds me of Fortran)  was just promoted to AGM, so beware.  

They have three right now Karmanos, Forton and  Mark Jakubowski with Karmanos being the only Associate GM.

Ventura has come up as a candidate for Asst GM positions over the past few years, they would be wise to promote him 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, inkman said:

This doesn’t sound like the Matrix I remember 

You have been immersed in a smoke environment for too long. It affects the memory. I’m old an grouchy. I don’t do Matrix movies. They are too other worldly and multi-dimensional for my simpleton brain to comprehend. However, @Thorney is the man in the know in that particular atmosphere. 🙂

[Thorny]

20 minutes ago, JohnC said:

You have been immersed in a smoke environment for too long. It affects the memory. I’m old an grouchy. I don’t do Matrix movies. They are too other worldly and multi-dimensional for my simpleton brain to comprehend. However, @Thorney is the man in the know in that particular atmosphere. 🙂

Other worldly sure but I’m much more extra terrestrial than multi dimensional. Less neo more 

[7+6=13]

6 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:

Then I don’t want him. 

I can't blame you.  He's obviously going to be targeted, so we likely didn't have a chance anyway.

[Mango]

On 4/19/2025 at 1:29 PM, Carmel Corn said:

Some points are valid and I agree, but what the overarching intent of my post is that nothing changes as long as Pegula and Adams are still in charge.  The fish stinks at the head and I don’t see Karmanos or any other GM (even from the outside) having the autonomy to operate independently.  A new GM (Karmanos, etc.) is still nothing but a figure head having a GM title, but no real position power to make sweeping changes.

This.

You have to remove Adams, Appert, and Forton. Then any other US Dev Team hires. 

There is no way this franchise turns the corner with Adams/Forton still in the building and having Terry's ear.

Adams still can't seem. To help himself. At every turn he keeps mentioning that this is a playoff roster. It's not he failed. GTFO out of my city 

[Mango]

On 4/19/2025 at 4:26 PM, Mr. Allen said:

Oh sorry.  lol.  Supposed to say,

 Let’s bring Pecca on board!  

In this version of the simulation in which we are forced to exist this isn't a bad idea.

Other fans get to talk about "the best option". But as Sabres fans under Pegula we have to cross our fingers for "the best decision Terry Pegula will actually make".

Ruff to advisor/POHO, Karmanos to GM, and Peca to HC is a decision Terry would make and it could make us better.

[Pimlach]

11 hours ago, Mango said:

In this version of the simulation in which we are forced to exist this isn't a bad idea.

Other fans get to talk about "the best option". But as Sabres fans under Pegula we have to cross our fingers for "the best decision Terry Pegula will actually make".

Ruff to advisor/POHO, Karmanos to GM, and Peca to HC is a decision Terry would make and it could make us better.

This could be going the way of McD. 

Lindy is HC and advisor to TP.  Peca could be an assistant coach under Lindy. It’s a good hire.    Lindy gets his last year behind the bench then moves to an exec slot in the FO  

Lindy could phone a  friend for the GM role.  Or Karmanos, who must move to Buffalo to be an on-site GM.  .  

Adams can be in charge of seat and cup holder repair in the 300 level.  

[That Aud Smell]

 

It's a funny bit of business for Friedman to trade in: I had a couple people ask me whether the Sabres might reach out to Lamoriello.

It's not even a rumour, really. Just some of Friedman's "people" asking him if he thinks it's possible.

[Taro T]

24 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

 

It's a funny bit of business for Friedman to trade in: I had a couple people ask me whether the Sabres might reach out to Lamoriello.

It's not even a rumour, really. Just some of Friedman's "people" asking him if he thinks it's possible.

Kind of like teaching.  You have to work hard to get established, but once you get tenure you CAN skate on by.  Not saying that all or even more than a very small handful of them do it; but we've all had a teacher (or know of one) that was in that floating/skating until hitting retirement phase.  Friedman seems to be fast approaching that point if he hasn't already done so.

 

*

[MISabresFan]

On 4/19/2025 at 9:35 AM, bob_sauve28 said:

Oh goodie! A new title! Executive in charge of Executing Hockey Operations

 

New office, too? This sounds stupid, shifting deck chairs and all 

 

What is going to happen with the goaltending is a very serious question though. Teams are actually interested in UPL? I have my doubts but with the goaltending situations around the league being what they are, who knows? 

Levi and Reimer for next year? 

Building culture, keep all personnel for the last 5 years that developed a losing record.  

[Flashsabre]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

 

It's a funny bit of business for Friedman to trade in: I had a couple people ask me whether the Sabres might reach out to Lamoriello.

It's not even a rumour, really. Just some of Friedman's "people" asking him if he thinks it's possible.

As a senior advisor him or Holland would be great. Lou as GM. No he is 82 years old.

It would require Pegula finally swallowing his pride and having him have a knowledgeable hockey man telling him what’s happening.

[Mango]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

This could be going the way of McD. 

Lindy is HC and advisor to TP.  Peca could be an assistant coach under Lindy. It’s a good hire.    Lindy gets his last year behind the bench then moves to an exec slot in the FO  

Lindy could phone a  friend for the GM role.  Or Karmanos, who must move to Buffalo to be an on-site GM.  .  

Adams can be in charge of seat and cup holder repair in the 300 level.  

This has been my hope-ish. In that I think it's the only possible positive decision Terry is making.

Interesting that it was reported that Lindy was able to get into Terry's ear more as the season went on. I don't think for one second that Adam trades Cozens with Appert or Donnie as HC. Just the other day he keeps saying this is a playoff roster on paper.

I've been pounding the table that McBeane works both because they're above average at their jobs. But also because of their prior working relationship. Terry Pegulas stupid flat management style would screw up aHC/GM combo of Ozzie Newsome and Kyle Shannahan by putting them against each other. 

[WhenWillItEnd66]

Lou is pretty hard nosed. I do not see him wanting to be a GM. POHO maybe.... lay his plan so others can fulfill. He is up there in age though. Does he have enough left to fix this nightmare?? 

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

 

It's a funny bit of business for Friedman to trade in: I had a couple people ask me whether the Sabres might reach out to Lamoriello.

It's not even a rumour, really. Just some of Friedman's "people" asking him if he thinks it's possible.

Pass.

[HumanSlinky39]

2 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

 

It's a funny bit of business for Friedman to trade in: I had a couple people ask me whether the Sabres might reach out to Lamoriello.

It's not even a rumour, really. Just some of Friedman's "people" asking him if he thinks it's possible.

He's going to be 83 right after the season starts and what did he do on Long Island that would make anybody want him? I would hope if we are GM shopping we could do better. But maybe not.

[Thorny]

 

[thewookie1]

39 minutes ago, Thorny said:

 

 

I'd rather keep Adams than hire that dinosaur.

Lou's teams are boring to watch and root for

The players have to obey archaic facial hair policies

Lou wants a heavily vet squad, we have the youngest team in the NHL meaning he'd likely trade much of our young talent for grinders and overpaid bot 6 players in their 30's.

Contract Details aren't handed out willingly

 

I respect what he's done but he probably my least favorite GM ever.

[Mustache of God]

17 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

 

I'd rather keep Adams than hire that dinosaur.

Lou's teams are boring to watch and root for

The players have to obey archaic facial hair policies

Lou wants a heavily vet squad, we have the youngest team in the NHL meaning he'd likely trade much of our young talent for grinders and overpaid bot 6 players in their 30's.

Contract Details aren't handed out willingly

 

I respect what he's done but he probably my least favorite GM ever.

All I want in a GM hire is a GM that has experience as a GM and not the oldest dinosaur out there. Somewhere in the middle of that would be nice.

I can't imagine being 80 years old and wanting to continue to work, that guy must really hate spending time with his family.

 

Edited 16 hours ago by Mustache of God

[That Aud Smell]

1 hour ago, Thorny said:

 

That take is sorta gross. (Is it yours?)

[Thorny]

3 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

That take is sorta gross. (Is it yours?)

Why is it gross lol 

Yes it’s mine 

[shrader]

They need someone new, but Lou is not the guy.  At this point, the ceiling with his team building style is hoping to sneak into the wild card.  Of course we'd kill for that right now, but you can't hire for that ceiling.

[Thorny]

10 minutes ago, shrader said:

They need someone new, but Lou is not the guy.  At this point, the ceiling with his team building style is hoping to sneak into the wild card.  Of course we'd kill for that right now, but you can't hire for that ceiling.

Closer to a floor, than ceiling, even in recent years. Compared to Adams it’s a laugher 

Edited 15 hours ago by Thorny

[PerreaultForever]

The idea of bringing in Lou as a senior advisor appeals to me in the same way Dudley did years ago but I think he's a little too old at this point. I do however firmly think we need someone in that role. Someone with a lot of experience. Someone who will sit in the room and say "hell no that's stupid" . A dissenting voice (or three). I think this Sabres group lives in a fantasy bubble of their own creating and they need dissenting voices and more arguments in the room instead of yes men. 

The problem is Terry doesn't believe in that role existing because he sees himself as the de facto director of hockey operations (or whatever you want to title it) and the GM just says yes to him out of fear or subservience or whatever. Unless he steps back and lets someone else have that role we are in trouble. 

Maybe latter part of the year as he experienced the failure Ruff started to speak up more and be more dissenting and maybe Terry respects his views but it's still a disconnect. 

If I was the owner?

1. Fires Adams and all the assistant coaches.

2. Elevate Ruff to Senior advisor/director of hockey operations.

3. Allow Ruff to choose the GM from the existing assistants but he will ultimately answer to Ruff.

4. Hire a coach like Pandolfo or Carle. new but also tested. Allow Ruff to have a say and choose the assistants (Peca, McKee, Ott maybe idk, his choices)

5. Spend to the cap adding D, more D, goaltending and toughness. 

6. Sit back and enjoy the winning. 

 

[Flashsabre]

Ken Holland wants to work again.

Him or Lou as President brings instant credibility around the league.

Promoting the incompetent guy that ran the rink at Harbour Centre after 5 years failing as GM does not.