The Buffalo Sabres announced the hiring of former Sabre Eric Staal as a special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams on Wednesday, but this may be the first of many moves within the organization before the start of training camp in September to bolster both the management staff around Adams and possible changes in head coach Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported on Wednesday that the Sabres have held exploratory conversations with experienced NHL executives in an effort to beef up their front office around Adams, who is expected to retain his position as general manager with one more year left on his contract.
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The report says that Sabres owner Terry Pegula is exploring a variety of options, including the hiring of a VP of Hockey Operations or Team President that would serve in a position above Adams, possibly a senior advisor to assist the GM in making decisions, or possibly moving Adams up and hiring a new GM.
Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News reported on Wednesday that one possible change may be the exit of Sabres Assistant GM Jason Karmanos. Karmanos, who served from 1999 to 2013 as VP of Hockey Operations and Assistant GM in Carolina, and in similar roles with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2014 to 2020, has been with Buffalo since 2021, but according to Lysowski, he did not participate in the club’s exit interviews last month.
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