The time to do all this was a few weeks ago. They're content sitting on their asses, and theyll justify it when the goaltending craps the bed and they go 0-4 to the deadline.

Still time to prove that fear wrong

Nah they dont have it in them. Dangerous combo of passive GM and cheap owner. Im just praying everyone takes a big enough jump next year that they can squeak in. Thats about their ceiling until changes are made up top.

I agree that Adams is a bit timid but I hope he proves not to be a coward

In Friedmans 32 thoughts, he mentions how the decision to carry 3 goalies came down to Adams being swayed by vets. This guy isn't here to build a winner, he's just there to keep everyone happy and be the punching bag while ownership competes with Arizona to see who can ice a better floor team.

Hawks probably accept

How is he not here to build a winner? He has hit on draft picks, not overspent in free agency, has signed their best players to long-term, team friendly deals, and they have are by no means out of the playoff chase. They have committed to over $100 million in deals in the last year on extensions. Why would you spend money just to spend money?

Just because they haven't done a deal doesn't mean they won't. At the beginning of this season nearly everyone said they were a year away. I don't get the constant negativity when the team is finally on the upswing and they have a loaded farm team.

A) They are absolutely out of the playoff chase, don't kid yourself.

B) There's no denying their drafting kicks ass now, but thats not KA. Thats the analytics group they brought in.

C) They have to spend to the floor, so they're going to make team friendly re signings and drafting a priority, because thats the cheapest way to build a competitive team. They'll flirt with 8-10th place for a few years before fans catch on. And then he can just fire KA and bring in a new guy to do more of the same.

A) I'm not kidding myself because we have all seen that they can rip off a handful of wins in a row, and they have 1-5 games in hand against all of the teams in front of them. Plus, if they make a trade that could amplify how many points they are able to earn throughout the remainder of the season.

B) That is part of being a good GM though. He has surrounded himself with a good staff that knows what they are doing and is more of a facilitator and communicator and I am fine with that. He may not be the best at scouting or evaluating but he has certainly brought in good hires and listened to them, and even made guys want to be here.

C) It may be the cheapest option but drafting and keeping your own rather than blowing a lot of money on free agents is a smart way to build as well. I don't see how they will middle around in 8th-10th for several years when the team and players have taken big steps every year. I just don't think that because they haven't made a big move or because they can't seem to play well at home/big games means they are completely cooked for this years and years to come. If anything they need help in goal, and we all know they won't make a big move there because they won't block Levi. That may be the biggest shortcoming, IMO.

A) The Sabres have a dreadful record against playoff teams and have a string of games against playoff teams coming. Additionally, one of the toughest schedules remaining in the league. They're not going to make a move because they've already exceeded expectations, and thats enough for them.

B) I don't disagree with this, pure facts

C) Im not suggesting they ville leino their way through the build, not remotely. Im suggesting theyve become obsessed with vibes and keeping everyone happy rather than building a winner. They don't want to make the tough decisions on guys like mittelstadt. They don't want to rock the boat with their goaltending carousel. They don't want to take action and be proactive. The team will eventually plateau. Certain guys will hit their peak (may already have) and like in many cases around the league, some may take a dip in on ice impact or production.

The fact that they don't play well in big games is exactly a reason to think they are cooked. They are facing competitive teams down the stretch, and when you're in a playoff race, these are all big games.

They're totally content not rocking the boat. No big moves, no blocked paths, nothing that stands out. Go along get along.

@Stadel
@Lenny54

Kevyn Adams has a nice smile!
The return on the trades and the quality of free agent signings jumped off the chart when Jason Karmanos was hired as "Associate" Manager.
Jeramiah Crowe now sits at the draft table.
Venture is the lead analytics guy.
If you want to say Adams may be an idiot but hired smart people, sure I can agree.
When he was on his own think how bad it was:
Ullmark walked for a mere $5,000,000 contract.
McCabe who many think could return a first was allowed to walk for only $4,000,000
Signing Hall to $8,000,000.
Buffalo only got a second for Hall and a third for Montour, sign them or get more for them but do not give them away.
Eakin was signed while letting Larsson who wanted to play here was allowed to walk.
Trading Johanson for washed up Eric Staal.
The league GM's knew Kevyn was over his head and took advantage of him.

Look at the improvement after Karmanos joined the team:
Who would have thought Ristolainen would give us a first much less a second as well.
Reinhart gave us brick wall Levi.
Eichel returned Tuch and some other stuff.

Hard for me to believe Adams would hire an Associate GM, or was he told, Kevyn this is your partner, listen to him well.
I guess you figured out, I am not a fan of Mr. Smiles.