Buffalo Sabres’ Reluctance to Fire GM Kevyn Adams Won’t End Their Playoff Drought
Despite mounting frustration in Buffalo, owner Terry Pegula and the front office appear reluctant to replace GM Kevyn Adams — but prolonging the status quo is unlikely to cure what ails the Sabres.
1. A historic drought with no end in sight
- Buffalo just missed the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season – the longest postseason absence in NHL history.
- Under Adams’ watch, the Sabres slid from a near-miss in 2022–23 to bottom-half finishes each of the past two seasons.
2. Adams stands firm — but results speak louder
- After a brutal 0–10–3 skid last fall, Adams was defiant: “I believe in these guys… I will not change”.
- Following the latest failed season, a contrite Adams admitted, “It’s not good enough… I believe we should be a playoff team right now and we failed.” Yet he faces no immediate threat to his job.
3. Name consultants, but no true power shift
- Buffalo recently hired veteran Eric Staal as a special assistant, and has sought senior advisors (like Ken Holland and Lou Lamoriello) to “mentor” Adams.
- But with Adams still making final decisions, it appears to be a superficial gesture rather than restructuring at the top — and both Holland and Lamoriello reportedly declined unless given full control.
4. Internal skepticism is growing
- Observers argue Adams has had ample time — five seasons — but his record sits at 164‑182‑38 and no playoff success.
- The Hockey Writers bluntly wrote: “At this point, they reflect organizational mismanagement. Unless changes are made at the top, the slide will continue.”
Meanwhile, fans on forums like r/Sabres share similar doubt:
“They just won’t acknowledge that they failed miserably…so the playoffs won’t happen for about 10 years.”
5. Why change at GM is overdue — and what’s at stake
- GM transitions are delicate but often necessary: fresh eyes can reshape scouting, cap structure, trade logic, and culture.
- Even with Lindy Ruff back behind the bench, plus core building blocks like Rasmus Dahlin and Tage Thompson, leadership uncertainty undermines momentum.
- By deferring a real decision, Buffalo risks another offseason of inertia — and fans are growing weary of “consultant excuses” masking a failed rebuild.
Buffalo’s continued playoff absence isn’t due to a lack of talent — it’s tied to leadership that’s outlasted its welcome. As long as Kevyn Adams retains power without accountability, creative advisory hires won’t reverse the Sabres’ fortunes. Their next step must be substantive: either a GM overhaul or demonstrable proof that this front office can deliver real progress.
