[News] Sabres fire GM Jason Botterill. Kevyn Adams named GM

[sureLoss]

Buffalo Sabres
@BuffaloSabres
We have relieved Jason Botterill of his duties as General Manager.

Senior Vice President of Business Administration Kevyn Adams has been named General Manager.

[Cheese]

Well well.. Wonder what caused the uprising?

[keenan87]

Last chance to make Eichel happy..

[sureLoss]

exactly 3 weeks after owner Kim Pegula told the media that Botterill would be back next season

Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Sabres owners Kim and Terry Pegula cite "philosophical differences regarding how best to put ourselves in a position to compete for a Stanley Cup" as the reason for firing GM Jason Botterill.

[Vinny01]

Conroy went deep on their interview process last time. I wonder if he gets consideration?

[Toonage]

^^ Its always the kiss of death. Bergevin, you're next!

[Erick Estrada]

I suppose not overly surprising seeing that the team never took a step forward and the coach hires haven't moved the needle. There's talent on that roster but the incoming GM will have to likely make a move to shake things up as the mix just isn't right.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Conroy went deep on their interview process last time. I wonder if he gets consideration?

they already named a GM. There is no interim tag in the release.

[Vinny01]

After getting fleeced on the O’Rielly deal there is likely no trust from ownership to have him make their next blockbuster be that moving Eichel (doubt it) or spending big to get assets to help Eichel

[Erick Estrada]

So is this Adams more of a yes man for the owner? I get the feeling the owner wanted big roster moves and Botterill wanted to play the long game.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

It's interesting that just three weeks ago they said that he was coming back next season. I wonder what changed?

[transplant99]

He was the new boy wonder for a while.

Obviously result related and hard to argue with that reasoning.

However, GM's generally need more than 3 seasons to remake a team to their vision and give it time to stew before figuring out if the recipe is right or not.

Continuity is imperative to success for clubs that have been lingering near the bottom for extended periods of time.

Now for them it will be rinse and repeat....yet again. Tough for the fans of that club to keep faith.

[Poe969]

I'm guessing Botterill wanted to shop Eichel and the Pegs didn't want to OR...maybe he wanted to keep them and they want to move him.

I still think the Flames need to take advantage of this and either go hard after Eichel or dangle Johnny, Monahan or anyone else for an over payment.

[kyuss275]

Anybody know anything about the new gm?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Anybody know anything about the new gm?

was named senor vice president of business administration for the Sabres in Sept 2019.

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabr...on/c-309397640

it looks like he was managing the arena complex for the Pegulas before moving into that position

Adams originally joined the Sabres organization in 2009 as player development coach and served as assistant coach during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. He joined the management team of LECOM Harborcenter in October 2013 as vice president and director of the Academy of Hockey and was elevated to general manager of the complex in January. Prior to his career with the Sabres and LECOM Harborcenter, Adams spent 11 seasons playing in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Anybody know anything about the new gm?

I remember him with the Canes in their SC run.

typical 4th line grinder/energy guy,

[getbak]

Looks like he has no previous hockey ops front office experience. Some time as an agent after he retired and a couple of seasons as an assistant coach with the Sabres.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by getbak

Looks like he has no previous hockey ops front office experience. Some time as an agent after he retired and a couple of seasons as an assistant coach with the Sabres.

Not optimal IMO but that doesn't necessarily mean he will not pan out as I'm sure there's some ops people in the building that will resume their positions.

[Roof-Daddy]

Seems like ages ago the Sabres were a well run team under Darcy Regier with a limited budget. They built through the draft and were competitive. Sabres fans were so excited when Pegula bought the team and they started spending big money but boy has it been a disaster.

Free Eichel now!
Free Eichel now!
Free Eichel now!

(As long as its to the Flames)

[Monahammer]

Y'know, there are some curiosities about this change...
I think it must be a disagreement about what to do with the best player on the roster. No other event has really surfaced hard in the last three weeks to drive them apart so dramatically. The O'reilly trade wasn't great but I don't think that was the death knell.

What really strikes me is that they handed the keys to someone internal (they trust), someone with very little GM experience but agent/player experience, and someone without a big name behind them or a reputation to uphold.

IMO Eichel is going to get traded.