On Saturday, November 23rd vibes were high for the Buffalo Sabres organization. The Sabres came off a West Coast sweep and were third in the Atlantic Division. Since then, the organization has not won a game, and are currently amidst a 10-game losing streak.
All eyes are currently on the Sabres fifth-year general manager Kevyn Adams. With the recent struggles is Adams on the hot seat? To answer that, the past, present, and future should be reflected on.
2020-21
Year #1: 15-34-7 (.33 pts %)
Status: Full Scale Rebuild
Grade: 73/100
When Adams was initially hired in the summer of 2020, the team was a mess. Jack Eichel was visibly unhappy with the organization, the team missed the 24-team playoffs, and there were serious questions about the future roster of the Sabres.
In Adams’ first draft, he notably selected Jack Quinn eighth overall, and J.J. Peterka in the second round. In Adams’ first free agency, he made the big splash by signing Taylor Hall to a one year $8 million conract. He also traded for veteran Eric Staal to help bolster the team’s veteran depth.
The moves did not come close to moving the needle for the Sabres as they lost 18 games in a row at one point and dished out much of the core at the deadline for draft picks. Just before the 2021 draft, Adams completed two trades. Adams acquired two first-round picks, Devon Levi, and Robert Hagg cumulatively in exchange for Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen.
2021-22
Year #2: 32-39-11 (.457 pts %)
Status: Rebuild
Grade: 85/100
The 2021 draft saw the Sabres select Owen Power first overall, forward Isak Rosén 14th overall, and notable names later in the draft with defenseman Nikita Novikov in the sixth round and forward Tyson Kozak in the seventh.
After a quiet free agency that saw the Sabres most notably sign Vinnie Hinostroza and Craig Anderson, the expectation for the season was low. Adams made minor trades such as acquiring Will Butcher to reach the cap floor. All eyes, however, were on the inevitable Jack Eichel trade. What quite possibly may have been Adams’ best move so far led to the Sabres acquiring Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, and a first-round pick that turned into Noah Ostlund.
After the Eichel trade on November 4th, a new era of leadership was forming around the core of Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch. The team finished the season 32-39-11 and finished 24th in the league. The team showed potential for things to come after ending the year 15-9-1.
2022-23
Year #3: 42-33-7 (.554 pts %)
Status: Emerging from Rebuild
Grade: 76/100
The summer of 2022 saw the Sabres draft a trio of forwards in the first round ofMatt Savoie, Noah Ostlund, and Jiri Kulich. Adams and company also snagged goaltender Topias Leinonen in the second round, forward Viktor Neuchev in the third round, and defenseman Vsevolod Komarov in the fifth.
Free agency saw Adams sign goalie Eric Comrie and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin. After a slow start to the season, the Sabres were rolling and were in playoff contention at the trade deadline. Adams acquired Jordan Greenway for a second and fourth-round pick. Unfortunately, the moves were not enough, and the Sabres missed the playoffs by one point. Even with missing the postseason, hope was still high and there was much anticipation for the 2023-24 season.
2023-24
Year #4: 39-37-6 (.512 pts %)
Status: Playoff Hopeful
Grade: 71/100
Adams notably drafted winger Zach Benson 13th overall, center Anton Wahlberg 39th overall, and defenseman Maxim Strbak 45th overall.
With high hopes from the fanbase, Adams signed veterans Connor Clifton and Erik Johnson in free agency to help in the back end.
The additions were nowhere near enough to put the Sabres in the playoff picture as the team struggled to find any sort of rhythm the whole season. The deadline saw Adams ship off captain Kyle Okposo to Florida and a Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram trade. At the end of the season, Don Granato was fired by Adams, and Lindy Ruff was hired to coach the team.
2024-25
Year #5: The Present
Status: Playoff Hopeful
After the quarter point in the season where Adams and ownership claimed it was “win now” mode, Adams needs to make a move or get off the pot. He has proven to be a a solid drafter and has been an average trader. Adams has struggled greatly in free agency and has not done close to enough to push this group over the edge. If the struggles continue for the Sabres, it may not be long before Adams is removed from his general manager duties. Whether that is a promotion to president of hockey operations or being relieved of his duties, the seat is beachy hot right now.