Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams held a rather controversial press conference on Tuesday where he deflected blame for the team’s struggles onto external factors like New York's taxes, Buffalo’s hockey market, and the climate.
The press conference came after the Sabres squandered a four-goal, first-period lead to lose 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche, continuing another season marked by inconsistency.
Adams, speaking to reporters for over 20 minutes, admitted the team is "not a destination city right now." He went further, citing Western New York’s four-season climate and high taxes as challenges to attracting top free agents.
“We don't have palm trees. We have taxes in New York. Those are real, and those are things you deal with," Adams said, per NHL.com. "But--and trust me--there's, I think, conversations every day and there's a lot of players in this league that we’re on their (no-trade) list.
"So we need to earn the respect and it starts with getting over the hump, getting in the playoffs, competing.”
It's fair to say those comments were a little bit far-fetched, considering other teams from the New York State area, such as the Rangers and the Islanders, face similar tax burdens yet manage to sign star players.
Adding to the controversy, Adams compared the Sabres’ situation to the Buffalo Bills, who have flourished under new leadership and star quarterback Josh Allen.
For context, the Bills have made the NFL playoffs five consecutive times and in six of the last seven years. The Sabres last made it to the postseason in 2011.
“Look at the Bills. That would be a perfect example," Adams said. "I'd assume this wasn't a destination or a place a lot of people were signing up to when they were in a 17-year playoff drought.
"They've done a phenomenal job over there. You've got Josh Allen and people are lining up because they have a chance to win the Super Bowl every year. I think that's what we're working to build here."
Adams said he tried to sign top-tier players during last offseason on top of looking for trade partners, but ultimately couldn't accomplish any of that.
“You have to earn it,” Adams said. “I mean, look--this is for me--it's really simple. You become a perennial playoff team, you make the playoffs, you have a chance to win the Stanley Cup year after year.
"You are on less teams’ no-trade list."
The Sabres will need to improve on the ice if they want to get players signed off of it during the summer or in trades, as they are 14th in the Eastern Conference with an 11-13-3 record and 25 points in 27 games.
Entering Monday's slate, Buffalo is four points behind the teams in position to earn the second wild-card berth, coincidentally, both New York teams as the Rangers and the Islanders are tied for it with 29 points each.
