Adams looking at options to move up and move back in 2023 NHL Draft
NASHVILLE – In his three years at the helm, Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has been reluctant to move prospects or draft picks, wanting to build up the prospect pool and put the organization on the path for long-term success.
But as the Sabres, who finished one point behind the Florida Panthers for the second wild card from the Eastern Conference, move from a rebuild into playoff contention, he knows tough decisions will have to be made – and he’s willing to do just that.
“I really love to get to know the people in our organization – the players, who they are, what they’re about, what makes them tick,” Adams said at his pre-draft media availability Tuesday. “That helps because you understand the psychology of it, but at the end of the day I always methodically go back to what’s going to help our team get better and what’s going to help us move forward and get us closer to trying to win a Stanley Cup?
“I feel like I’m a nice person but I want to win, and I want to win really bad and I want to win as much as you can possibly want that. So, will I make tough decisions? Of course. That’s what we have to do.”
He’s had numerous conversations with teams ahead of them about moving up as well as with those behind them who are wondering what the Sabres might be willing to do. He said it’s been busy and “there’s a lot going on” among his counterparts.
The Sabres hold eight picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, including two in the second round.
“We’re very serious about looking at options to move up and we’re also looking at options to move back,” he told Sabres Live on Wednesday. “It’s not easy to do just based on where people have their lists. We’re going to really be aggressive if it makes sense for us to do that. We’ll see how it shakes out.”
Ideally, Adams would like to add a top-four defenseman. Whether that acquisition comes by trade or free agency is something the team is balancing. There’s a cost for both avenues, each having its pros and cons. A trade acquisition requires giving up assets, either from the roster or the system, and factoring in the player’s contract and what the future might hold.
Free agency requires potentially giving in on term or money, especially if a player is in demand.
“We’re continuing to look at both and see what makes sense for us to help our team get better,” Adams said. “But like I said last week, we also aren’t going to do something desperation or think that we have to do something. It’s only going to be done if it’s right.”