Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – The NHL offseason is officially underway after the Colorado Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup on Sunday, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in a six-game series. The title is Colorado's third in franchise history, and also ends a remarkable run by the Lightning, who were in play to win their third-straight Stanley Cup championship.
Now with the offseason in full swing, the Buffalo Sabres and general manager Kevyn Adams are getting ready to make some moves to try and improve the roster from where it was to end the 2021-22 regular season.
During an appearance on the “Howard and Jeremy Show” on Tuesday, Adams discussed what he saw from some the Avalanche that he'd like to see with his team in Buffalo going forward.
"I think the first thing that jumps out - it's truly, what I believe, you need to do - is you need to draft well, you need to develop your players, and you need to retain your core of people to build and move forward with," said Adams with Howard Simon and Jeremy White. "Both those organizations are certainly shining examples of that. They've obviously made some really critical trades just to add key pieces at the right times. But you can tell they built a culture of players that just care about each other and want to be great and push each other.
"It's what we're trying to do here. We're trying to build this the right way with the right people, and you have to make tough decisions at times, but you also have to be disciplined and patience, and let your players grow."
When looking ahead to his roster for the 2022-23 season, one of the biggest question marks Adams and the Sabres face will be the goaltending situation. How will they handle the situation in net, and who will get the season-opening start?
One option Adams is considering, at least, for next season is the return of veteran netminder Craig Anderson, who will be 41-years-old to start the 2022-23 campaign.
“Craig gave us a chance to win when he was in net. He gave our team confidence,” Adams said.
Adams reiterated that the team is in on every trade conversation so far this offseason, and the Sabres believe in a plan they have internally when it comes to goalie. Especially when it comes to the long-term outlook for young prospects like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Erik Portillo and Devon Levi.
One of the other big stories for the Sabres this offseason will be the future of restricted free agent Victor Olofsson. The 26-year-old is coming off a nice rebound year in Buffalo with 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points in 72 games played.
“We’ve had really good conversations with Victor,” Adams said when asked about Olofsson’s contractual situation this offseason. “He clearly knows how we feel about him.”
The next big date for Sabres fans to pay attention to is the 2022 NHL Draft, with the first round starting Thursday, July 7 in Montreal. The Sabres hold three picks in the first round of this year's draft: ninth, 16th and 28th overall. Over the course of the 2022 draft, the Sabres are slated to select 11 times.
More of our conversations with Adams during the “Howard and Jeremy Show” is available in the player below:
