Kevyn Adams has caught a lot of heat from Sabres fans over the last few seasons for not trying to make the team any better, resulting in a longer playoff drought for the Sabres. Adams said he wanted to make the Sabres a contender again, but has yet to do so. Many fans look at the negatives from Adams's time as GM so far, but today we look at some of the positives. Here are the three best trades I believe Adams has made as the Sabres GM.
Casey Mittelstadt for Bowen Byram
This is personally the best trade I think Adams has made yet as GM of the Sabres. At last year’s deadline the Sabres did a one-for-one swap as they traded Casey Mittlestadt for Bowen Byram. At the time, the Sabres needed another defenseman to pair with Rasmus Dahlin, and Byram was the perfect fit. Byram has seven goals, 22 assists, and a plus-minus of nine this year. Byram has been one of the best defensemen on the team, and the Sabres will look to sign him to a contract extension before the end of the year. On the other hand, Mittelstadt hasn’t been the best for the Avalanche. In his 75 games with the Avs, Mittelstadt has just over 40 points and a plus-minus of -15. Mittelstadt has been linked in multiple trade rumors at the deadline, and it seems like the Sabres traded him at the right time. The Sabres got a future franchise defenseman out of this deal and the Avs got a one-year rental for their playoff push.
Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio for Matt Savoie
This trade has gone under the radar but was made this offseason as the Sabres acquired Ryan McLeod, and Tyler Tullio from Edmonton for Matt Savoie. Ryan McLeod brought the experience from Edmonton as he had just played in the Stanley Cup last season. McLeod has been great for the Sabres this season, as he has posted 12 goals, 16 assists, and a plus-minus of +10. As they go to the offseason, McLeod will be a must in the re-sign department as a restricted free agent. Tullio has been a decent prospect for the Sabres, after coming off some good seasons with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL, Tullio was sent to Rochester where he has battled injuries this season in just 26 games. Edmonton in return got Matt Savoie, a former top prospect and top-10 pick for the Sabres. Savoie has yet to play for the Oilers, but is having a great season in Bakersfield with 36 points in 44 games. It may be a few years till Savoie makes an impact, but this is a short-term win for the Sabres in this trade.
Jack Eichel for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, 1st Round Pick (Noah Ostlund), and a 2nd round pick
When this trade was made, Sabres fans were upset that the team traded away a franchise player in Jack Eichel. Revisiting this trade almost four years later, this has looked like a win-win for both sides. Eichel had issues in Buffalo towards the end of his time there and was injured. He was asked to be traded and found himself in Vegas helping the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Seeing Eichel lift that trophy was tough for Sabres fans, but the return they got for Eichel has paid off so far. Alex Tuch has been a top-six forward with 220 points in his three-plus years with the Sabres, Peyton Krebs has averaged 20 points a season, they got a top prospect in Noah Ostlund, and a second-round pick used in the Jordan Greenway deal. I still see this deal as a win-win for both sides. The Golden Knights got the best player in the deal and a franchise center, while the Sabres got rid of an injured player who wanted out. The Sabres got a top-six forward with Tuch, a promising prospect in Krebs, and a top prospect in Ostlund. If they trade Jordan Greenway at the deadline, that return will only get bigger.