Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula handed the team's front office over to Kevyn Adams, who'd never previously held an NHL decision-making role, in June 2020. Six seasons later, the organization has made zero progress toward a return to respectability.
On Thursday, Sean McIndoe of The Athletic ranked the worst general managers in league history to hold their job for at least five years. Adams was rated at No. 3 on the list, ahead of only the Vancouver Canucks' Jim Benning (2014-21) and New York Islanders' Mike Milbury (1995-2006).
"It's always dangerous to put somebody on a list like this when they're still building out their body of work," McIndoe wrote. "Maybe this looks bad in a year or two. Let's just say that right now, I'm not getting that vibe."
The Sabres currently own last place in the Eastern Conference and would need a minor miracle to bring a long-awaited end to their 14-year absence from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Speculation beginning to swirl the Buffalo Sabres may finally move on from general manager Kevyn Adams
The rumor mill is beginning to spin when it comes to Adams' future.
WGR 550 radio host Jeremy White made a cryptic Twitter/X post Thursday morning featuring Vecna's grandfather clock from the show Stranger Things, which typically means the end is near, and Chad DeDominicis of Expected Buffalo also heard rumblings about a regime change potentially on the horizon.
"I'm not reporting anything here. There's a lot of smoke," DeDominicis wrote. "I feel more confident than not a change could be coming but truly that's it from me until I legit have something I feel comfortable with."
The timing remains uncertain, however, as the Sabres wrap up a six-game road trip with matchups against the Canucks (Thursday) and Seattle Kraken (Sunday).
Adams has failed in his time as general manager, plain and simple. He's failed to bring game-changing players to Buffalo on a consistent basis while having no trouble trading them away in the form of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart and JJ Peterka, among others.
Perhaps his lack of success shouldn't came as a surprise since he was unqualified for the job when Pegula elevated him to the role without conducting a full search for Jason Botterill's replacement.
If the Sabres do decide to bring a merciful end to his tenure — Adams' incredibly strong relationship with Pegula means he'd likely be transferred to a different role rather than directly fired — it would at least give the fanbase hope of a new direction.
Buffalo would probably turn to Jarmo Kekalainen, a former Columbus Blue Jackets GM who was hired over the summer in an advisory capacity, to lead the front office on an interim basis.
Barring an incredible shift in performance during the remainder of the 2025-26 season, the Sabres should then conduct a wide-ranging search for a new President of Hockey Operations in the offseason. They were previously linked to former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan.
Whether it's Shanahan or another veteran NHL executive, the Blue and Gold would benefit from somebody with ample experience rebuilding organizations. That person could then decide whether to hire their own general manager or operate independently.
In addition, the Sabres' new leader should begin anew with the coaching staff as franchise legend Lindy Ruff hasn't showcased the ability to bring improved results during his second stint behind the bench.
It's time for a complete overhaul to the franchise. A new front office, a coaching staff with some fresh ideas and moving on from players who don't fit the team's new vision.
The status quo isn't anywhere close to good enough, and it sounds like Pegula may finally be coming to that realization. It's better late than never.