Kevyn Adams

The Instigator Podcast 12.44 – Sabres Stick to Fringes with Early Moves

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Kevyn Adams got things rolling at the draft, making his first acquisition of the offseason, trading for Beck Malenstyn from the Washington Capitals. He added more depth to the roster in free agency though Buffalo’s moves have been focused on the bottom six thus far. With a fanbase that’s desperate for a move, Adams’ inaction on the trade front has been a source of frustration. We talk through the work Adams has done thus far and dig in on the approach he’ll need to take if he hopes to check a big acquisition off his to-do list. 

You can find The Instigator Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts:

iTunes
Spotify
Stitcher
iHeartRadio
TuneIn
Google Play

Sabres Trade Tiers – Pre-Draft Edition

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

The Buffalo Sabres are open for business. 

Kevyn Adams hasn’t been shy expressing his desire to inject talent into Buffalo’s roster and in addition to the 11th overall pick, it appears that he is prepared to include either players or prospects into an offer that brings back significant talent. Last fall, there was some expectation that Adams would take a stab at a significant trade, and in anticipation of that, we put together this list of trade tiers for Buffalo’s players and prospects. With it seeming nearly inevitable that Adams will pull the trigger on a deal in the next week, it was high time to revisit those trade tiers.

This list will differ a bit from the version in the fall as the Sabres still have several unsigned restricted and unrestricted free agents. Most of the team’s UFAs are of little consequence in trade discussions, so they wouldn’t have made this list anyway. But the RFAs remained, with some exceptions, as they still have value in a trade. I have also left draft picks off this list since, theoretically, they’re all readily available to be dealt at any moment. So this list will focus solely on Buffalo’s prospects and roster players. 

Continue reading →

Weighing the Pros and Cons of a Jeff Skinner Buyout

Chris Ostrander2 Comments

Debate over using a buyout on Jeff Skinner has simmered for a few months. Skinner’s usage declined as the season wrapped up as did his production. As a result, some consideration over parting ways has been a topic of conversation going back to early spring.

Things changed on Tuesday, June 18 when a clip of Elliotte Friedman on The Jeff Marek Show was shared online in which Friedman reported that a buyout is a possibility. 

Friedman’s report will significantly increase the heat around Skinner’s situation. It’s no secret the Sabres are desperate to break their playoff drought. Kevyn Adams has hung a for sale sign on the 11th overall pick and there is an expectation that he will be aggressive this summer. Skinner is a complicating factor to any attempts to make significant changes to the Buffalo lineup. Not only does his $9 million cap hit account for over 10% of Buffalo’s cap, but his decline in production came, in part, with his move down the lineup this past spring. It’s a very difficult proposition to manage a $9 million cap hit if the player is only going to be effective in a top six role. 

Continue reading →

Pinpointing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s Contract

Chris Ostrander1 Comment

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen needs a new contract this offseason and after an impressive campaign in which he solidified himself as Buffalo’s starting goaltender, he’s on track to receive a healthy raise and more term than the two-year deal he just completed. 

Luukkonen and Jeremy Swayman will be the two most notable RFA goaltenders to track this offseason. Swayman will be coming off a one-year, $3.475 million deal and will be in line for a substantial raise as he too has taken over the starting duties. Swayman could garner a contract north of $6 million a year, especially after his playoff heroics. Luukkonen doesn’t have the same track record as Swayman and won’t be flirting with the upper echelon of goaltender salaries. But he is still set to see a substantial pay increase. 

Continue reading →

The Instigator Podcast 12.38 – Seth Appert Promoted and Listener Questions

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Seth Appert was named to Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff this week, rounding out who will join Ruff behind the bench this year. We talk about Appert’s promotion and what it means for the team as a whole and Appert himself. We also touch on Matt Ellis’ move upstairs and the debate that has stirred throughout the fanbase. 

The second half of the show focuses on a few listener questions, where we hit on Kyle Okposo’s comments to the media about this season’s struggles, our belief on what sort of roster turnover there will be and what would qualify as a true shake up when it comes to offseason moves for the Sabres. 

The Instigator Podcast 12.35 – Lindy Ruff Returns as Sabres Coach

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Kevyn Adams landed on his head coaching hire and it’s a familiar face. Lindy Ruff will be back behind the Buffalo Sabres bench for the 2024-25 season and we dig into the decision to bring Ruff into the fold after moving on from Don Granato. We touch on his tenure in Dallas and New Jersey and attempt to translate which traits and aspects of those seasons may serve the Sabres in trying to snap their playoff drought. 

The Instigator Podcast 12.34 – Don Granato Out as Sabres Head Coach

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Don Granato was relieved of his duties by the Buffalo Sabres. We break down the firing and begin to discuss who might come in to replace him as Buffalo’s bench boss. We spend some time on the likes of Lindy Ruff, David Carle, Bruce Boudreau and many others. 

Two in the Mailbox: Now What?

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Thursday’s action dealt a devastating blow to Buffalo’s late surge for a playoff spot. Between a horrific third period and Detroit’s win over the Islanders, the Sabres likely need to run the table over their final 11 games to even have a shot at breaking their drought. 

That sets us up for another summer of retooling and roster prognostication. That was front and center with the collection of questions for this latest edition of Two in the Mailbox. 

Continue reading →

The Instigator Podcast 12.29 – Breaking Down the Sabres Deadline

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Kevyn Adams made a big splash ahead of the deadline, acquiring Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. We dig into the deal, discussion what Byram can bring to the table for the Sabres and what this means for the next acquisitions Adams needs to make as he tries to shape the Sabres into a playoff roster. 

We also touch on some of the deals from around the NHL, reviewing the work done by Vegas, Winnipeg, Carolina and Colorado at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. 

Unlocking Byram’s Full Potential the Key to Swap with Avs

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Kevyn Adams exhibited quite a bit of patience over the last 24-plus months, making scant few trades since sending Jack Eichel to Vegas in November 2021.

That all changed on Wednesday when he acquired Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Casey Mittelstadt. A hockey trade in the purest sense, Adams made the acquisition that eluded him in the offseason as he bolsters his blueline with another U25 player with team control.

This trade won’t lack criticism. Mittelstadt had found his game over the last two seasons and he’d been one of Buffalo’s most consistent and effective forwards this season. He was delivering on his draft pedigree and provided the Sabres with three reliable centermen on a nightly basis. Mittelstadt’s next contract was going to be a challenge for the Sabres as the potential for the deal to upset their salary structure was a real possibility. Still, his contributions over the last two seasons were terrific. He had evolved into a two-way weapon, adept at winning battles along the wall with the impressive playmaking attributes that made him a high draft pick.

At 25, with team control, Mittelstadt was also a prime trade candidate, especially considering the extensions the Sabres had given to Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens. Extending him wasn’t out of the question, but he offered Adams a trade chip few other GMs had at their disposal.

Continue reading →