It’s no secret that the Buffalo Sabres are in one of the worst positions in the NHL. They have a 14-year playoff drought, likely heading to 15. The beleaguered fan base has been crying out for a solution, but none seems forthcoming.
Well, a massive shakeup could be looming, but not where most fans expect it. Ongoing chatter has suggested the long-rumored Sabres shakeup could come on the ice. The organization could move a goalie or deal impending UFA Alex Tuch.
No, the shakeup could be coming in the front office. Sources have told The Athletic that the club is currently mulling over dismissing GM Kevyn Adams. Such a move would certainly constitute a shakeup.
The December 12 story in The Athletic reported how the Sabres have had internal discussions about a change in leadership. However, the club has officially declined to comment on the matter, The Athletic confirmed.
Moreover, The Athletic reportedly reached out to the Sabres GM via text message, but he did not answer.
Amid that situation, it seems that the club could be mulling over a move at this critical juncture. After a seeming rebound, the Sabres have sunk back down into last place in the Atlantic Division. They have a 13-14-4 record entering Saturday night’s action. The Sabres will face the Seattle Kraken before heading back home.
As a result, news of a front-office move could come as soon as this weekend. With the aftermath of the Quinn Hughes trade, a move in the Sabres’ front office could add even more fuel to an exciting weekend of NHL news.
Sabres Already Have Replacement for Adams Waiting in the Wings
The Sabres made a mildly surprising move this past offseason by bringing in former NHL executive Jarmo Kekalainen. Kekalaining, a long-tenure exec, last served as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The club let Kekalainen go in favor of hiring Don Waddell.
When news of Kekalainen’s hiring as an advisor hit in Buffalo, the talk shifted towards this precise situation. It seemed as though it would only be a matter of time before Kekalainen took over as the Sabres’ GM.
It seems that time could be now. The team is in a desperate situation, and changes are necessary. Letting Adams go could be the beginning of said moves.
Adams Has Been Unable to Orchestrate Turnaround in Buffalo
The Sabres’ ownership group raised some eyebrows back in 2020 when it hired Adamas as GM. Adams did not have any meaningful experience in a hockey-based front-office role. However, his relationship with owner Terry Pegula paved the way for Adams to take over.
However, the lack of results could force the team’s hand. Adams has been unable to orchestrate a turnaround ushered in by a decade-long rebuild. The club has landed several key pieces via the draft. But it has been botched trades, such as the JJ Peterka offseason debacle, that have left Adams and the Sabres’ organization with a black eye.
It remains unclear if a front-office change will lead to yet another rebuild or if a retool on the fly will be forthcoming. The Sabres will likely look to take advantage of the resurging animal spirits in the NHL trade market to potentially nab useful pieces for this season and beyond.
Sabres Shakeup Looming, But Not Where Fans Expect it: Rumor