Buffalo Sabres & NHL 2020-2021

[BillsFan4]

 

[JohnC]

10 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

Laaksonen is 20 yrs old and is at least two to three years away for vying for a NHL roster spot if his development trajectory remains on course. He represents the typical time frame for a prospect. In comparison Dahlin was a contributing player in the NHL when he was 18 yrs old. That goes to show how much of a prodigy Dahlin was as a prospect. Entering his third year with more physical development/maturity he should be ready to be an elite player not only on his team but also in the league. 

 

You don't have to know much about hockey to recognize when watching the games that Dahlin and Jack both stand out and are above the rest of the players on the ice. It will be a dam shame if the GM doesn't aggressively act this offseason to rebalance and upgrade the roster. If he doesn't do it entering the next season I will be pushing K-9 aside in the first row of the mob calling for the GM's scalp. The future is now. No more excuses. 

[BillsFan4]

https://wyrk.com/breaking-buffalo-sabres-fire-gm-jason-botterill/

 

Jason Botterill fired.

 

I hope they keep Krueger though, especially after how much Eichel raved about him. I don’t know how happy Eichel would be if Krueger is canned too.

 

 

Not interim? Actual GM? What in the ****!!

What experience does Kevyn Adams have?? Running the harborcenter?

 

JFC.

[JohnC]

4 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

https://wyrk.com/breaking-buffalo-sabres-fire-gm-jason-botterill/

 

Jason Botterill fired.

 

I hope they keep Krueger though, especially after how much Eichel raved about him. I don’t know how happy Eichel would be if Krueger is canned too.

 

 

Not interim? Actual GM? What in the ****!!

What experience does Kevyn Adams have?? Running the harborcenter?

 

JFC.

I suspect the philosophical disagreements within the organization that had much to do with the firing of the GM related to the conflicting philosophies between the coach and departed GM. It's telling that there were statements that Krueger and Adams have a good relationship. I'm confident that Krueger is going to be the coach next year.

 

The bigger issue hanging over this franchise isn't whether Botterill remained or not. The issue that will more profoundly affect the franchise is whether this organization can make some smart deals this offseason that will enhance the roster. My suspicion is that the owners didn't believe that Botts was bold enough to pull it off. 

[BillsFan4]

http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/jr-sabres-growing-under-kevyn-adams-watch-at-harborcenter/

 

Article on Kevyn Adams from 2018.

[Jauronimo]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I suspect the philosophical disagreements within the organization that had much to do with the firing of the GM related to the conflicting philosophies between the coach and departed GM. It's telling that there were statements that Krueger and Adams have a good relationship. I'm confident that Krueger is going to be the coach next year.

 

The bigger issue hanging over this franchise isn't whether Botterill remained or not. The issue that will more profoundly affect the franchise is whether this organization can make some smart deals this offseason that will enhance the roster. My suspicion is that the owners didn't believe that Botts was bold enough to pull it off. 

I am confident that Krueger has more power than Adams.

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I am confident that Krueger has more power than Adams.

I can't say that Krueger will have more power than Adams but I'm comfortable in saying that Krueger will have more influence in personnel decisions with Adams than with Botts. 

[GG]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

I can't say that Krueger will have more power than Adams but I'm comfortable in saying that Krueger will have more influence in personnel decisions with Adams than with Botts. 

 

In a rare moment regarding Sabres, we are in agreement.  My belief is that Ralph will be more active in personnel decisions.

[ALF]

I like Krueger a lot but would ask him why did he take Skinner off the Eichel line where he was awesome.

[shrader]

2 minutes ago, ALF said:

I like Krueger a lot but would ask him why did he take Skinner off the Eichel line where he was awesome.

 

Amen to that.  This is the biggest red flag I have with Krueger.  I don't blame him for trying, but once it failed, he should have adjusted.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, GG said:

 

In a rare moment regarding Sabres, we are in agreement.  My belief is that Ralph will be more active in personnel decisions.

I'm not sure what is going on within the organization. Why not that long ago did Kim Pegula state that Botts would be back next year? Then he ends up being fired after there was an organizational review. Why not do the review and then make a decision on the GM's status. What changed? My guess is that the Pegulas felt that they weren't being consulted enough by Botts in comparison to Adams who more openly communicated with them.  And another conjecture/guess of mine is that Botts who is more of a cautious and incremental type of guy didn't offer a bold enough plan to upgrade the roster to satisfy the owners. 

 

 

 

 

[BillsFan4]

 

I really don’t know what to think. I truly don’t get the Chris Taylor firing. I guess we have to wait and see who they replace all these people with (assuming they do. Some of Pegulas comments made me think we might be going back to more video scouting again).

 

I have to say, I haven’t felt this low on the Sabres future in quite some time. I’m trying not to overreact until we see how they fill these positions, but I’d be lying if I said I felt hopeful right now.

Edited June 16, 2020 by BillsFan4

[May Day 10]

8 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I'm not sure what is going on within the organization. Why not that long ago did Kim Pegula state that Botts would be back next year? Then he ends up being fired after there was an organizational review. Why not do the review and then make a decision on the GM's status. What changed? My guess is that the Pegulas felt that they weren't being consulted enough by Botts in comparison to Adams who more openly communicated with them.  And another conjecture/guess of mine is that Botts who is more of a cautious and incremental type of guy didn't offer a bold enough plan to upgrade the roster to satisfy the owners. 

 

 

 

 

 

Because the pegulas dont know what the hell they are doing and may possibly be in some hot water financially.

 

My guess is they wanted botterill to fire all these people and he wouldnt.

[JohnC]

Just now, May Day 10 said:

 

Because the pegulas dont know what the hell they are doing and may possibly be in some hot water financially.

 

My guess is they wanted botterill to fire all these people and he wouldnt.

I think you are on to something that makes this blowup action understandable. My suspicions are that a strategy of austerity in the face of the downward spiraling business climate was not something that Botterill was willing to go along with. It won't take long before the real story comes out. I find the jettisoning of the Rochester staff and the cuts in the scouting department very troubling. 

9 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

I really don’t know what to think. I truly don’t get the Chris Taylor firing. I guess we have to wait and see who they replace all these people with (assuming they do. Some of Pegulas comments made me think we might be going back to more video scouting again).

This is called austerity. It is not a recipe for success as it is a strategy for $$$$ survival. 

[Dr. Who]

7 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I think you are on to something that makes this blowup action understandable. My suspicions are that a strategy of austerity in the face of the downward spiraling business climate was not something that Botterill was willing to go along with. It won't take long before the real story comes out. I find the jettisoning of the Rochester staff and the cuts in the scouting department very troubling. 

This is called austerity. It is not a recipe for success as it is a strategy for $$$$ survival. 

Sigh. Sabres = depressing.

[GG]

9 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I'm not sure what is going on within the organization. Why not that long ago did Kim Pegula state that Botts would be back next year? Then he ends up being fired after there was an organizational review. Why not do the review and then make a decision on the GM's status. What changed? My guess is that the Pegulas felt that they weren't being consulted enough by Botts in comparison to Adams who more openly communicated with them.  And another conjecture/guess of mine is that Botts who is more of a cautious and incremental type of guy didn't offer a bold enough plan to upgrade the roster to satisfy the owners. 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, the optics are far worse than that, especially with the gutting of the Amerks.   You don't give the vote of confidence by saying that there are many good things behind the scenes that the public may not be aware of, and then you fire the guy a week later.  It's doubly awful to get rid of your entire minor league staff, when you've spent a year telling everyone how for the first time in eons, the minor league was in full step with the major league.

 

Who knows, maybe the Pilut defection was the final determination that Botts was clueless in roster management.

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

Sigh. Sabres = depressing.

We'll get a better sense of what's really happening very soon. Whenever there is a lot of firings there will be a lot of leaks so we will get a more accurate picture of what actually is happening. My worry is that finances are a big factor in this major reshuffling. What I'll be watching to see if there are deals made to upgrade the roster. That will be most telling. 

[Beast]

4 hours ago, JohnC said:

I suspect the philosophical disagreements within the organization that had much to do with the firing of the GM related to the conflicting philosophies between the coach and departed GM. It's telling that there were statements that Krueger and Adams have a good relationship. I'm confident that Krueger is going to be the coach next year.

 

The bigger issue hanging over this franchise isn't whether Botterill remained or not. The issue that will more profoundly affect the franchise is whether this organization can make some smart deals this offseason that will enhance the roster. My suspicion is that the owners didn't believe that Botts was bold enough to pull it off. 

 

I suspect the disagreement Botterill had with the Pegula's about massive cuts had everything to do with it.

 

The Sabres are on thin ice.

Edited June 16, 2020 by Beast

[BillsFan4]

 

 

Looks like it could get even uglier...

 

 

 

Edited June 16, 2020 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

https://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-sabres-decide-to-start-over-once-again-1.1486570

 

Quote

What changed over the last three weeks?

According to sources, the Pegulas held a series of meetings with Botterill over the ensuing weeks with a focus on restructuring the Sabres’ hockey operations department.

There were “philosophical differences” in that restructuring process. Sources said the Pegulas sought to shrink the staff, including cuts in scouting and management departments, in order to re-envision how it operated. Botterill was opposed to those changes, potentially viewing it as an unwelcome cost-cutting procedure.

"We're going to get leaner," Terry Pegula said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. Pegula also declined to commit to hiring assistant GMs for Adams.

"When we were in detailed discussions with Jason and how we felt we needed to move forward effectively, efficiently and economically running this franchise, we felt there were too many differences in opinion," Pegula said.

Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the Sabres’ parent company, has pulled the purse strings in recent months. The Sabres’ management team, including Botterill, were forced to take temporary salary reductions – even though the non-playoff bound Sabres had just six home dates remaining at KeyBank Center. The Sabres also laid off 21 employees and furloughed 104 more in April, and have since fired additional staffers.

 

Yikes. 

[Dr. Who]

18 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

https://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-sabres-decide-to-start-over-once-again-1.1486570

 

 

Yikes. 

To infinity. I'm pulling the covers over my head on this one. I don't see how it ends well.

[Lurker]

On 6/11/2020 at 12:32 PM, K-9 said:

I think Krueger is an architect, Botts is more of a general contractor. 

 

I would put it more in Krueger's own terms.  Ralph's more of a conductor, chosing muscians who can give him the sound he's looking for, then driving them to give their best possible performance.   

 

Botts, OTOH, is more like a drummer for Spinal Tap...

 

 

Edited June 17, 2020 by Lurker

[JohnC]

28 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

https://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-sabres-decide-to-start-over-once-again-1.1486570

 

 

Yikes. 

After reading this link taken from NHL.com it is clear that this GM removal revolved around Botts not going along with a drastic reduction in the payroll for the hockey operation. The Sabres have been hemorrhaging money and the financial prospects look bleak for the next season because there is a good chance that there will be a limitation of fans at the games. 

 

The gas and oil business, the hospitality and the hockey business are all losing a dramatic amount of money. And each of these business sectors are going to take at least another year or two before they can stabilize. From a business standpoint the retrenchment makes sense. Right now the goal is survival. From a hockey standpoint this movement toward austerity is discouraging. 

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/jason-botterill-fired-as-buffalo-gm-replaced-by-kevyn-adams/c-317180770

[BillsFan4]

From Tim graham in April: 

 

https://theathletic.com/1758235/2020/04/20/as-pegulas-face-business-challenges-employees-describe-a-toxic-culture-at-pse/  (Athletic subscription required)

 

Quote

Spirits within PSE’s other properties were depressed before that. The Buffalo Sabres have been among the NHL’s worst clubs for nearly a decade, missing the playoffs nine straight seasons (presuming the 2019-20 regular season standings hold true) while employing six head coaches in that time. A source with knowledge of the numbers said the Sabres have been losing between $40 million and $60 million the past few seasons.

 

Wow, if true. 

[BillsFan4]

New GM Kevyn Adams on the instigators:

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-17-sabres-general-manager-kevyn-adams-0

 

Haven't listened yet but hopefully we will get a better idea of his vision/plans, etc.

 

edit - he was on Howard & Jeremy too:

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-17-sabres-general-manager-kevyn-adams

 

 

edit again- listening to the 1st link. It’s good to hear Adams saying that some of these firings were hockey related (like Chris Taylor for ex.). He also said that Ralph Krueger will have a big hand in the hiring process of his replacement and that he wants the 2 programs to be better connected. Krueger has a lot of connections in the coaching world and is very well respected. I’m anxious to see who they find to fill the role.

 

Sounds like Krueger will be relied on a lot for hockey related decisions. I guess we will see if that’s good or bad. One thing I do know - Krueger will have a clear vision on how he wants to assemble a roster. He’s done it many times while running the Swiss National team and had success in many tournaments. Obviously not the same thing as a full NHL season though. 

 

Id normally be more worried about a coach having more control over his roster, and I am nervous about it if that’s what happens. But it does make me feel better that Krueger isn’t your typical head coach (in more ways than one...). He even has experience as a team president, where he couldn’t just think about the short term. Same with the Swiss team, where he built it back from the ground up.

 

(trying to be more positive today)

 

 

edit #3) 8 minutes into the Howard & Jeremy interview. Adams mentions that he’s a big believer in analytics. I’m sure some her will be happy to hear that (assuming he actually follows through on it). 

Edited June 17, 2020 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

https://podcast.sportsnet.ca/31-thoughts/buffaloed/

 

This is Elliott friedman’s New podcast. It’s on the Sabres. Good listen.

Edited June 17, 2020 by BillsFan4

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

16 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

https://www.tsn.ca/buffalo-sabres-decide-to-start-over-once-again-1.1486570

A couple of observations after reading the linked article:

1.)  Why the tendency for today's writers to include olfactory skills at achieving success?  'Sniffing the playoffs' is getting awfully shopworn.

2.)  Is Berglund the Sabres' Vontae Davis?

[BillsFan4]

 

Senior writer for NHL.com

[BillsFan4]

 

 

 

From the 31 thoughts podcast linked a few posts above.

 

Edited June 17, 2020 by BillsFan4

[plenzmd1]

18 hours ago, JohnC said:

From a hockey standpoint this movement toward austerity is discouraging. 

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/jason-botterill-fired-as-buffalo-gm-replaced-by-kevyn-adams/c-317180770

Not discouraging to me at all. I have been in business long enough to know that throwing money at a problem is most always the answer. They have been doing the for 9 years with sub-optimal( dismal) results. They were “ persistent” , now it is the time to not be “

insane”

do not keep doing the same things and expect different results. Maybe leaner means better and more decisive? 

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

Not discouraging to me at all. I have been in business long enough to know that throwing money at a problem is most always the answer. They have been doing the for 9 years with sub-optimal( dismal) results. They were “ persistent” , now it is the time to not be “

insane”

do not keep doing the same things and expect different results. Maybe leaner means better and more decisive? 

The reason why Botterill got fired was not primarily for hockey reasons. Apparently, he was not supportive of the approach to dramatically slim down the staff. So he was jettisoned. The owners then went ahead with their austerity program and installed their in-house GM. 

 

When all is said and done the most substantive/meaningful issue here is not the thinning and hallowing out of the organization. What matters are the personnel decisions that will be made this offseason to rebalance and upgrade the roster. Whether you have a thick or thin organization or a horizontal or vertical organizational chart the most important issue comes down to the hockey decisions you make. That's what I'm waiting to see. 

 

 

[BillsFan4]

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

A few members of TBD used to stake out FlightAware, to see where the Pegula jet was off to scout or sign players.  Now we won't know if the Pegula Stearman is going scouting, or taking a crop dusting gig.  ?

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

The person in the organization whose influence has increased is Krueger. Without a doubt the organization has to a degree been hollowed out. What's telling is not the coaching dismissals that happened in Rochester but the firings in the scouting department. When all is said and done owners can dramatically redesign the organization/companies they own. That's their prerogative. The argument shouldn't be framed as what is the best way to run an organization. The argument should be framed how do we get a franchise that has for years been flailing and alter its meandering course? 

 

If a stripped down organization is more nimble than a more staffed and bureaucratic organization then that is a good thing. When all is said and done what matters is the results. If the tandem of Krueger and Adams can make enough smart deals that will upgrade and better balance this roster then how this organization is structured becomes less of an issue.  I'm less interested in how the flow chart is designed than I am interested in the roster decisions that are made in this critical extended offseason. 

[4merper4mer]

4 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

Senior writer for NHL.com

Whoa.  Somebody's not a fan of Greeley.

[JohnC]

8 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

https://podcast.sportsnet.ca/31-thoughts/buffaloed/

 

This is Elliott friedman’s New podcast. It’s on the Sabres. Good listen.

I'm not sure that they added much to what was going on with Buffalo. They are surmising just like we in this forum are surmising. However, this was enjoyable hockey talk to listen to. Both of the participants in the podcast are honest enough to acknowledge that they don't know what the changes will result in. In that sense they are just like us.  

[JohnC]

Mike Kelly from the NHL Network was on WGR's Schopp and the Bulldog show talking about the Sabres. This a 23 minute link with some good hockey talk. The most interesting segment was on the discussion about Risto and his trade value. The view of Kelly seems to be that it isn't as great as many people believe it to be. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/6-17-mike-kelly-the-point-hockey

[Dr. Who]

3 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Mike Kelly from the NHL Network was on WGR's Schopp and the Bulldog show talking about the Sabres. This a 23 minute link with some good hockey talk. The most interesting segment was on the discussion about Risto and his trade value. The view of Kelly seems to be that it isn't as great as many people believe it to be. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/6-17-mike-kelly-the-point-hockey

Don't think RaKru wants to trade him in any event.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Dr. Who said:

Don't think RaKru wants to trade him in any event.

Ralph clearly values Risto and his rugged play. However, if the Sabres are able to get a second line forward who can put the puck in the net I believe a deal will be done. This roster needs to be better balanced, and the Jack  line needs support. This team needs outside additions for immediate help. In order to get an asset you have to give up an asset. 

Edited June 18, 2020 by JohnC

[Dr. Who]

35 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Ralph clearly values Risto and his rugged play. However, if the Sabres are able to get a second line forward who can put the puck in the net I believe a deal will be done. This roster needs to be better balanced, and the Jack  line needs support. This team needs outside additions for immediate help. In order to get an asset you have to give up an asset. 

I agree, but for a soft team, I'd hate to lose some of the little grit we have. Wonder how Montour compares to Risto in terms of trade value league wide. Folks on another board are keen to trade Samson. I think that would be a mistake. We need to add to the top six, not subtract.