BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabres responded to one of the most dispiriting defeats in team history with a more competitive effort Thursday night. But they could not stop their slide back in the postseason chase, losing 3-2 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets to drop to 12th place in the Eastern Conference with an 11-2-3 record.
General manager Kevyn Adams responded to fan discontent Friday, speaking to reporters for the first time since training camp. After rising into playoff position with a three-game win streak on the road, Buffalo has gone 0-3-2, with four of those losses on home ice.
Here are some takeaways from Adams' address.
"We talk a lot about accountability in this organization, and it starts with me," Adams said in his opening remarks. "You guys asked me to be here and answer questions, so that's what I'll do.
"If you're looking for me to be panicking or overreacting because of the last few games, that's not my style."
Adams acknowledged that surrendering a 4-0 lead in Tuesday night's loss against the Colorado Avalanche was difficult to watch. Yet the GM has still found reasons to be hopeful in Buffalo's performance over the first 26 games under returning coach Lindy Ruff.
"There's some things that I look at when you try to step back and zoom out and take some emotion out that are positive signs," Adams said.
Adams won a Stanley Cup playing for the Carolina Hurricanes, and he believes the Sabres are assembling a core group of players that can rise to that standard in time.
"I’m going to go to war with these guys, and I will not change, I will not back down from that. I believe in the people in our room, and I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t know the opportunity we have," he said.
"I know what it takes to win a Stanley Cup in this league," Adams continued. "It’s not easy, and you have to be really diligent with the decisions you make. And you put your team in the best position, which we’re going to continue to talk about and debate. And you’re going to work at things, and certain things unfortunately don’t end up working out. Then other opportunities and doors do, so we’ll stay on top of that. But do I believe in this team and do I believe we’re going to be a team that takes a step here."
Adams addressed an obstacle he's faced in attempts to augment the roster — many of the NHL's best players have overlooked the Sabres in free agency, or have utilized no-movement clauses preventing trades to Buffalo.
"We’re not a destination city right now where you’re going to be able to go out and get UFAs that are the key guys," he said. "And I just don’t think that’s the way to build a sustainable winner."
Adams noted that the Sabres have added to their core group with trades acquiring forwards Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, Jordan Greenway and Peyton Krebs, along with defenseman Bowen Byram.
The Sabres "worked really hard at" making a significant trade this past offseason, Adams said. — believed to be Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas, who currently leads the NHL with 40 points, but reportedly was unwilling to sign a contract extension with the Sabres.
"So it’s not from lack of want," Adams said. "But we’re not going to go and just make a trade so you guys can say we’ve spent to the cap, if we don’t think it makes sense for now and into the future. You just can’t operate like that."
Buffalo's payroll is about $5 million below the NHL salary cap, according to Spotrac. That cap space could still be used to facilitate a trade. Absent another acquisition, observes have questioned the team's desire to invest the necessary resources toward ending the longest playoff absence in NHL history.
"You have to look at past this year when you’re putting your roster together," Adams said. "We’re trying to build our roster out that we’re able year after year to compete. And if you go add an $8 million player that’s got five years left on his contract, what does that do for the next round of guys? My job is, to make sure we’re positioning ourselves not only today, but in the future. So if there’s players out there that we think will help us today that also keeping the long-term view in mind, we’ll act on it."
Adams reiterated that owner Terry Pegula is willing to spend what it takes to have a playoff-caliber club.
"I understand why I get asked this every press conference. Terry has done everything he can to provide us every possible resource to win hockey games, and that's all I can ask for in my position," Adams said. "Terry's all in. I talk to him every day. He wants this as bad as any of us, trust me. And he wants to be part of the solution with me to talk about where do we need to find success or what do we need to do to help this team."
How can Adams, a Clarence native, make Buffalo a destination city for elite NHL players again?
"You have to earn it," he said. "You become a perennial playoff team, you make playoffs, you have a chance to win the Stanley Cup year after year. You are on less teams’ no-trade list."
"We don't have palm trees," Adams continued. "We have taxes in New York. Those are real, and those are things you deal with."
Winning alleviates those concerns, Adams said, pointing to another Buffalo franchise as an example.
"Look at the Bills," he said. "That would be a perfect example. I would assume that this wasn't a destination or a place that a lot of people were signing up to when they were in a 17-year playoff drought, and they've done a phenomenal job over there. You get Josh Allen, and people are lining up because they have a chance to win the Super Bowl every year. And I think that's what we're working to building."
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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.
