Sabres HC Ralph Krueger being ''evaluated'' by GM Kevyn Adams

Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams addressed the media on Friday afternoon to discuss a number of topics, including the status of head coach Ralph Krueger.

When asked about the overall state of the team, Adams said: "Not happy. Unacceptable where we're at right now. Part of my job is to raise the standard, expectations and accountability of this organizations and we're not where we need to be. You're not going to hear excuses."

The team made a big splash in the off-season by signing the highly-coveted free agent forward Taylor Hall to a one-year contract worth $8 million. They also went out and traded Marcus Johansson to Minnesota for Stanley Cup champion, and Olympic gold medalist Eric Staal.

Expectations were quite high going into the 2020-21 season but things went south quickly. Buffalo currently sits in eighth place in the MassMutual East Division with a record of 6-12-3 through 21 games.

The Sabres were hoping Ralph Krueger would lead them to their first playoff appearance since 2011, but fans appear to have turned sour towards the Winnipeg, Manitoba native.

Kevyn Adams was asked why he wouldn't make a coaching change and he responded with this:

"Everything is being evaluated. Ralph and I talk every day, multiple times a day. We're very honest with each other. He understands what's happening is unacceptable, the players do, everyone does...part of the evaluation is to look at everything big picture, small picture and everything in between. I need to do what's best for the team right now and long term. I look at those type of things on a daily basis. What's interesting about this team, and it flat out hasn't been good enough, but the players enjoy playing for ralph and the coaching staff and there's a belief in that locker room that I have to balance, but it hasn't been good enough."

He was then asked if he has the full authority to make a coaching change, or is ownership holding him back.

"Yes. Full authority on hockey decisions as the general manager. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum. I don't go into a room and come out with a decision...I certainly talk to Terry and Kim about everythingpart of my stepping in is to evaluate every single part of the organization. It needs to get better...I'm angry. I hope all our fans are because it means they care. What's going on is unacceptable. Let's just start with, we need to be better. I've been empowered by Terry and Kim Pegula to fix this and that's what we're going to do."

Adams also brought up something that comes as a surprise to many hockey fans, that captain Jack Eichel has not requested a trade from the organization.

"Step one is going to me for getting to know Jack and Jack getting to know me on a personal level and that's happened. He has not asked for a trade, and Jack is someone that I've bounced things off him and he's talked to me and we have an open dialogue."

Buffalo has 35 games remaining, and the team is 12 points out of a playoff spot. The Sabres will need to pull off an incredible run, similar to what the St. Louis Blues did in 2019, just to make the playoffs. They'll take on the New York Islanders in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Source: The Buffalo News

MUST READ

4 hours ago  |  By Tyler Ball Edmonton Oilers Analyst Believes the Team Should Pursue Top-10 NHL Scoring Defenseman

6 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Young Goaltender Max Akerson Tragically Passes Away From Terminal Disease

7 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Patrik Laine Involved in Scary Knee-to-Knee Collision With Teammate During Practice

11 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Columbus Blue Jackets Place Massive 6-Foot-5 Centre on the NHL Waiver Wire

12 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Elliotte Friedman Links Montreal Canadiens Top-Five Pick to a Metro Team in Unexpected Trade Rumour

13 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Chicago Bears Fire Head Coach Matt Eberflus After the Official City Account Demands He Be Replaced

14 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker New York Rangers Reportedly Pursuing Trade for 100-Point Western Conference Forward

15 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Toronto Maple Leafs Run Into Major Obstacle With Mitch Marner Contract Talks

MORE STORIES