Welcome to the Royal Report! This page will be bringing you Buffalo Sabres coverage, whether that being news, analysis, or just our general overall opinions. Our first article will be an overview of the months that have occurred since the conclusion of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With the recent start date of January 13th set for the next season, it makes sense to look at the moves that Kevyn Adams has made to prepare his team for the upcoming season. He certainly has been busy, and whether his moves seem favorable or questionable to the Sabres, there will certainly be a change next year on the ice.
The Eric Staal Trade
Kevyn Adams’ first move was certainly an interesting and unexpected one as he acquired 2006 Stanley Cup Champion and former Sabre Killer, Eric Staal. This was definitely an eyebrow raiser, as Sabres fans had been accustomed to the one or two move offseasons of Jason Botterill, Kevyn Adams was wheeling and dealing during the playoffs, and prior to the draft. Before I even get to Staal himself, I want to talk quickly about the piece that went the other way, Marcus Johannson.
Marcus Johannson always seemed like a weird fit here in Buffalo. Traditionally being a 2nd/3rd line winger for the Capitals, Devils, and especially the finals run with Boston, he came here expected to be a second line center which he just wasn’t. While he and Skinner showed some awesome chemistry to start the season, an injury to Johannson seemed to linger the rest of the season after he returned, not only hurting his production, but Skinner’s as well. I wish Johannson all the best in Minnesota, but from the looks of things he will be put as a center once again which I feel is not what best suits him.
Now for Staal. While Johannson may be 5 years younger than Staal, Staal’s production, analytics, and presence just outweighs what Johannson brought to the table. I thought that this was a great move to start off the offseason and tenure for Kevyn Adams. Suddenly, only after one move the Sabres’ top-6 was looking somewhat complete, and in only a couple of months, Kevyn Adams (possibly) did what the Sabres never could after trading O’Reilly; getting a second line center.
The 2020 NHL Draft
Well, it was certainly an interesting two days. With the Sabres selecting 8th overall, there were many names that fans were getting excited about, but one stood out among the rest, Marco Rossi. The Sabres Twitter darling was the consensus pick in the unlikely scenario that he would fall to 8th. As the picks went along, Rossi was continuing to be passed over until the Sabres were on the clock. Fans held their breath as Kevyn Adams spoke, “From the Ottawa 67’s, the Buffalo Sabres are pleased to select… Jack Quinn.”
What?
What would’ve been a slam-dunk pick for Adams, he went off the board and went after the other big star on the 67’s. Now this is in no way a bad pick for the Sabres, it’s just a really questionable one. If Rossi had been taken before 8th overall, Sabres fans probably would’ve warmed up to this pick pretty quickly, however, that was not the case and the Sabres might’ve reached just a tad.
With that being said, Jack Quinn should absolutely still be a player that fans should be excited about. While his rookie numbers were pretty subpar, he exploded in his sophomore year for 52 goals in 62 games. He is the first pure goal scoring prospect that the Sabres have had in awhile. What should really be eye-popping for Sabres fans is that Quinn was not a regular on Rossi’s line, which means his production was really not inflated. Not to mention 32 of those goals were at even strength (5 were on the PK). Despite what may have been available, I still think Quinn will be a great player for the Sabres.
The other notable pick for the Sabres was their selection at 34th overall, JJ Peterka. This was, in my opinion, a great pick by Adams. Peterka walked into the draft being the consensus 2nd best German-born player, only behind Stützle, and he backed that up. While his point totals in the DEL may not be attractive (7 goals and 4 assists), his showing at the WJC, was very impressive where in 10 games he had 10 points. His path will be very interesting to follow.
Free Agency
To call the first couple days of free agency a rollercoaster of emotions, would an understatement to say the least. Prior to the actual start of Free Agency, the Sabres offered qualifying offers to Reinhart, Olofsson, Ullmark, Mittelstadt, Montour, and Pilut. The first four were no surprise, with Montour being a bit of a shock since it was rumored he would enter free agency, but what fans were very pleased with, was that the Sabres at least intend on keeping Pilut’s rights, whether he comes back after the conclusion of his contract or they trade him.
However, there was one notable name missing from this list… Dominik Kahun. While his time here was very brief, Sabres fans quickly became attached. 4 points in 6 games, was very encouraging, as he seemed like a perfect middle-6 forward that the team desperately needed. It seems like Kahun was requesting $2.5 million and the Sabres wanted to keep it under $2 million. Unfortunately for the Sabres, Kahun decided to take his talents to Edmonton. A 1 year, 975K deal is all that it took for Kahun to want to play with former teammate Leon Draisaitl. On the surface this looks bad for the Sabres, but there’s a couple of things to note. Had the Sabres qualified Kahun and gone to arbitration, his reward would have been about $2 million, or possibly higher depending on how high he asked for. Once the Sabres rejected qualifying Kahun, he was never going to re-sign, but not because the Sabres weren’t interested, but because his value and the term he could ask for dropped dramatically. Kahun was not going to re-sign for $1.5 million less than his original ask here, it was just never going to happen. What it also comes down to is that Tage Thompson is likely going to fill the place that Kahun would’ve filled this year. What the Sabres see is a younger and cheaper player with a higher ceiling in Thompson, and are willing to bet on his development over Kahun. It is sad to see him go, but depending on a couple of factors, Adams might’ve made the right decision. Key word is might’ve.
What we also found out prior to Free Agency was that the team was going to re-sign Zemgus Girgensons. To me this was a surprise as I figured that he would be on his way out after all his years in Buffalo. Kevyn Adams had other plans as he signed the Latvian Locomotive to a 3 year deal worth $2.2 million. While I do think that Zemgus is a good player that serves his role really well, $2.2 million is an interesting price when most players like him were signing in the $1 million range.
This signing also basically all but confirmed that Johan Larsson would be gone in free agency, to the dismay of many fans.
The reason why he left is still kind of up in the air. Chad DeDominicis had implied prior to free agency that the team wanted him back, but he wanted to go somewhere else. However, Larsson’s brother Emrik then came out on Twitter and said that Larsson loved Buffalo but the team told him they were moving on.
Either way it is sad to see a player that had suffered through all of the tanking and rebuilding seasons get nothing in return and leave.
Now for the actual first day of Free Agency. Kevyn Adams was busy signing 3 players: Tobias Reider, Brandon Davidson, and Matt Irwin. I personally do not see Davidson and Irwin playing for the Sabres this season unless there are injuries, so I would expect for them to report to Rochester. Reider on the other hand, may have a bigger role here due to his penalty kill ability that the Sabres could desperately. However, considering the roster that had existed at the time, this was a pretty disappointing start for the Sabres, and fans were already starting to lose their patience. Day 2 brought upon the re-signing of Brandon Montour at 1 year, $3.85 million, and an actual “impactive” signing of Cody Eakin at two years, $2.25 million.
Eakin has had a pretty solid career as a depth player, even scoring 21 goals two seasons ago with Vegas, but his advanced numbers are a bit worrying in recent years.
With what fans know what Montour brings, and the lackluster analytics of Cody Eakin, Sabres fans were already starting to jump off the Kevyn Adams train. Meanwhile, Kevyn Adams had a surprise up his sleeve that would shake the hockey world.
Taylor Hall
Day 3 of Free Agency was another quiet one to start. Sabres fans were starting to accept that the only major moves Adams was going to make were Eric Staal and Cody Eakin. However, at around 7 p.m., Elliote Friedman sent out a tweet that would change everything.
Taylor Hall to Buffalo?! On a short term deal?! What on Earth is happening?!
A league-changing, franchise-altering move by Kevyn Adams, and he absolutely nailed it. $8 million for 1 year benefits both camps greatly. Had it not been for COVID-19, Taylor Hall probably would’ve had a 7 year deal, with an AAV in at least the $9 million range, but the world had other plans. So at $8 million for 1 year, Hall is betting on himself to have a monster year and hopefully get paid big by either the Sabres or a team in Free Agency next year. And for the Sabres, this prevents them from having to commit long term.
Worst case scenario, if the Sabres are still a bottom 5 team next season by the trade deadline, Taylor Hall can be traded for an asset. And best case scenario, Taylor Hall has a monstrous season with Jack Eichel, the Sabres make the playoffs, and this can be a more long term relationship between the two sides. Whatever ends up happening in the future, let’s just enjoy a former MVP wanting to play here!
While this was a Kevyn Adams slam dunk here, let’s be honest, the credit here should really go to Ralph Krueger. His relationship with Hall was arguably the de facto reason he was interested. His previous good relationship with Hall clearly did wonders on his decision-making process. Whatever the case, the Sabres did a phenomenal job with this one, and just made next season a whole lot more exciting to look forward to.
Housekeeping Items
As of right now it looks like the Sabres are just about done when it comes to major offseason moves. Krueger hinted at the fact that they were still looking at goalie options, but it would not surprise me if they stuck with Hutton to at least start next season. But otherwise, the only moves that were left were the RFA’s that hadn’t been signed.
The first of the bunch was Sam Reinhart. The Sabres were able to lock him up for 1 year, at $5.2 million. Now contrary to when Botterill should’ve tried to sign him to a long-term deal, a short-term deal makes more sense. This is hopefully the year where Reinhart gets to drive his own line, and prove that he is a productive player without Jack Eichel. He hasn’t proven to the Sabres that he’s been able to do that, so this deal is an opportunity to bet on himself, and get paid more next year.
Linus Ullmark is next, with the Sabres signing him to a 1 year deal, worth $2.6 million. Another good deal by Adams in my opinion. With other comparable RFA goalies getting deals close to and over $3 million (Korpisalo at $2.8 million, Jarry at $3.5, and Merzlekins at $4.0), it’s great value to get Ullmark under that.
The most recent signing is Victor Olofsson at 2 years, at $3.05 million. Once again, a really good deal by Kevyn Adams. Unlike Reinhart, Olofsson is probably a player that needs to be glued to Eichel in order to produce well (but that’s not a bad thing). This short term-deal gives Olofsson the ability to rack up points likely next to Hall and Eichel, and earn more in 2 years. Players like Olofsson are usually making at least over $4 million, so great work by Adams to keep him at a reasonably low AAV. To put things in perspective, Olofsson is only earning $800K more than Girgensons and Eakins (you can decide for yourself if that’s a good thing or not).
The only RFA that was left to be signed (other than Pilut who we’ll likely only keep the rights to) is Casey Mittelstadt. With it being so close to the season, it was a little surprising that he had not taken a deal, but it seems he finally decided he was not going to get what he desired, signing a 1-year, $874,125 deal. That may seem like a specific number, but that was the minimum amount for Casey’s qualifying offer. The only thing that was probably holding this up was Tage Thompson’s contract, with Casey most likely wanting something close to $1.4 million, with the Sabres feeling he deserves much less. It is not surprising that Casey was not able to get his way, with the little to no leverage he has over the Sabres. No matter, Casey has to prove next season that he is still a part of the Sabres’ future, and that he can be a valuable player for them. He’ll likely start in Rochester unless he has a great camp, so at the least he needs to be close to a point-per-game player. It will be interesting to see if this extended time off has benefitted Casey.
What is interesting is that most of the contracts given out by the Sabres are 1 or 2 year deals. I think this is intentional by Kevyn Adams. If the doomsday scenario happens where the Sabres are still a bottom feeder and Eichel wants out, there won’t be any contracts that will hurt them (that were signed after Adams was brought in) and they can rebuild/retool without any financial liability. Just something to look out for.
Summary
Although there still a lot of notable Free Agents are still available that I still think the Sabres could sign for given the right price, I would say Kevyn Adams is probably done.
Overall, I would give the Sabres’ offseason a B+. The Taylor Hall deal was obviously a home run, and the re-signings of Reinhart, Olofsson, and Ullmark were all solid. However, the questionable selection of Jack Quinn, losing Larsson and Kahun, and the contracts of Girgensons and Eakin prevent the Sabres from achieving an A grade.
But what’s important is that the Sabres are going to go into next season a better team than they were at the end of last season, and that’s a positive sign.
That didn't age well