BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — It's been two months since Kevyn Adams was named General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres and in that time, a lot of eyes have been on him and where this organization is heading.
"I'm not really interested in what's gone on before," Adams said. "What I'm focused on in this job is doing the best I can everyday, surrounding myself with the best people, and being myself."
It hasn't been a pretty decade for the Buffalo Sabres, a team that hasn't made the playoffs since 2011-12, a league record for longest postseason drought. For years, fans have watched a lackluster performance with many calling for some type of change.
"There's urgency. Our fan base wants to see us succeed, so do I and so of all of us," Adams said. "We need to be better. We need to put a better team on the ice and I understand that. That's what we're doing right now. We're working everyday to win those moments that'll hopefully translate across the board to on-ice success."
The Sabres started last season off hot, sitting atop the NHL in late October. They then reverted back to their old ways and had issues capitalizing and getting some scoring help from the secondary (the latter being a big problem in years past).
"Our team has a lot of really good players. What maybe hasn't been right is how they fit together," he said. "I'm working on that, I'm thinking a lot about that, talking to different people, and trying to figure out how to put that together."
While there weren't many bright spots last season, Jack Eichel was a reason to tune in. The captain had 78 points in 68 games that included a career season-high 36 goals. During his introductory ZOOM call back in June, Adams mentioned the importance of having a conversation with the Sabres captain and reiterated his importance to this organization during Tuesday's call.
"I look forward to building that relationship," Adams said. "He's our franchise player, he's our captain, and it's really important that he understands what we're trying to do here."
Adams also announced the hiring of Seth Appert to take over as head coach of the Rochester Americans. He replaces Chris Taylor who was let go earlier this summer.
