Chad DeDominicis Talks Sabres Desperate For A Splash

On this episode of Talking Buffalo, Patrick Moran is joined by Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo to discuss the start of what's absolutely going to be a critical offseason for the Buffalo Sabres and in particular, general manager Kevyn Adams.
As you're listening or watching this the official start of NHL free agency will be underway. Meanwhile the NHL Draft has come and gone and the Sabres, to the chagrin of many of their fans didn't do much over the weekend---highlighted by trading down from the 11th pick three spots and acquiring an extra second-rounder, a pick they parlayed into someone very likely to be a fourth line forward.
Chad has plenty of thoughts on how the opening weekend of player movement and the draft played out, including Buffalo moving down three spots from 11 and in the process costing themselves an opportunity to select one of two highly touted defensemen both on the board for the Sabres original pick, Sam Dickinson and Zeve Buium, a player Minnesota moved up to get at pick No. 12. Did Adams drop the ball by prematurely moving back? The extra pick led Adams to trading with Washington and acquiring pending restricted free agent Brent Malenstyn, a physical player who is excellent in some areas of the game but isn't going to offer a lot offensively (just six goals in his first full NHL campaign last season).
Of course, Buffalo did make a pick at No. 14 and Chad shares his thoughts on Konsta Helenius.
At least through this point the Sabres biggest move was making the buyout of Jeff Skinner official. The Sabres now save $7.5 million in cap space for this season but will be paying Skinner for the next six years instead of three. Chad has plenty to say about Skinner, his legacy in Buffalo and if he agrees with the organizational decision.
They also discuss some of the names Buffalo should be targeting as free agency kicks in addition to the possibility of a trade(s) coming down the pipe as well as Adams very likely having his job on the line based by how this summer and upcoming season goes plus That and plenty more with Chad, who you can follow on Twitter @CMDeDominicis and be sure to check out Expected Buffalo.
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[@Optimization_Coach]

Face the facts folks ... It's not fun to hear, but it very well known that many many players just do not want to come to Buffalo. That's leaves one to overypay and develop from within...

[@talkingbuffalo]

You're not lying.

[@jamesmiller6217]

Correct. Well put.

[@TmanTyler619]

Or at least till me make a good playoff run and the fans come out then it’ll be like going to Minnesota IMO. Maybe even better than that

[@jjmadoublen7375]

And this is all on Adams and Pegula

[@andrewzy]

​@@jjmadoublen7375 Not all on Adams but Def Pegula the most. He signed off On GMTM GMJB and all the Coaches

[@pistolpete7422]

First time listener, this was a quality discussion. Hard to find objective hockey coverage in general, let alone for the Sabres. I think the biggest takeaway for fans is that the roster isn’t complete until the trade deadline. Sure you need +90% of players set for opening night, but even after FA opens the team isn’t final. Plenty of time to move prospects and get quality roster players in August.

[@talkingbuffalo]

Appreciate you listening and thank you for the take.

[@philipgibson9091]

I think Adams was "damned if he does damned if he dont" as far as trading. Not many trading at all. You need a partner. I heard some that said we overpaid on the trade. That was the price!! Adams cant win! He could bring a top 6 player in and they'd yell he got fleeced. Alot of Sabres fans suck.

[@user-gg1gb8pr9djrkscbsnotabot]

Oh yeah it’s totally the Sabres FANS that suck, the ones who still show up after well over a decade of pure misery…

[@jamesmiller6217]

True! We’ve been begging for a gritty, hitting, big defensive forward who can kill penalties and give up draft picks and prospects to do it. Now that we get 1, Adams gets criticized for giving up a 2nd rounder to get it done.

[@bjarczyk]

It’s true Philip. I hate to say it but a lot of our fans don’t see the bigger picture and have become whiney crybabies. And I love all my fellow Sabres fans.

[@aaronvogt335]

Pretty sure this entire organization has created a dumpster fire and no one wants to come to Buffalo. Every single free agent that's avail this year that could help out has already been signed and there is no way Stamkos is going to Buffalo. They made their bed with horrible coaching since Ruff left and now they have to sleep in it.

[@JoshDragRace0688]

6:15 55 bucks to walk into the door though is funny seeing how you'd be lucky to get a seat in the nosebleeds for that price nowadays in the Sabres Arena...

[@user-gg1gb8pr9djrkscbsnotabot]

Yeahhhh that’s not sustainable. Sounds like Sabres to Houston soon

[@talkingbuffalo]

That's a lot to walk in a door for an event that costs more money for literally anything else other than people watching.

[@brianjones7660]

@@user-gg1gb8pr9djrkscbsnotabot Hamilton. No conference changes needed, S. ONT gets a team w/o TOR getting stepped on, Pegs gets $$ to pay off the Bills stadium and we let the KeyBank get torn down.....winwinwin.....🙂

[@andrewzy]

Nope no Tyler Toffoli -SJ. Stephenson-Sea Maybe With the Caps Cap problem Dylan Strome might be a guy to Inquire about. only 5 mill and i believe doesnt have a NTC

[@andrewzy]

If they Decide to Keep Krebs thru the summer its his to lose. Sam Lafferty won over 50% of his faceoffs and is a decent 2 way player. Greenway and Krebs are the 2 trade players this summer along with Prospects and Picks.

[@dennishaley2821]

I'm sick and tired and I'll have nothing to do with "arm chair GMs" if all you critics are so good apply for a job on national sports networks!!

[@dirtbagliberalsnake5729]

I dont think a splash is happening haha

[@talkingbuffalo]

I think you are correct :)

[@jjmadoublen7375]

Adams blew it and should be fired

[@wesleyrempel1438]

GMKA should be fired yesterday