As training camp opens for the Buffalo Sabres, the pressure to win games continues to build. General Manager Kevyn Adams is in the final year of his contract. Meanwhile, the focus is on winning games and staying in the postseason race.
The heat is on throughout the organization and especially for Adams. He has stated that he believes in his roster. However, the verdict comes down to on-ice results.
“Words are words,“ Adams conceded. “I can’t stand up here and talk to our fan base and say anything other than I am genuinely excited about this team. But we have to prove it on the ice…We have to win games. We have to get the building to where, when teams come in, it’s a fun atmosphere.The fans are into it, we’re hard to play against. That’s my job and it’s taken time.”
Do Sabres have enough scoring depth to win more games?
With the loss of scoring winger JJ Peterka in the offseason, many observers express concern over the team’s scoring depth heading into the season.
“Scoring is an area that we’ve done a pretty good job in terms of putting the puck in the net. We have players that can score. To me, it’s less about who’s replacing the goals and more about not giving up as many and what are we going to do to be better defensively.?
“How are we going to manage the puck better? How are we going to play a more mature game”?
The question is will a focus on improving team defense and goaltending be enough to gain more victories?
If scoring totals decline, will the emphasis on defense result in the needed step forward?
There’s only one way the Sabres can win over a frustrated and fatigued fan base. They need to compile points in the standings. Meanwhile, Adams is well aware of the challenge ahead as the beginning of the season draws closer.
“We have to earn that trust and respect from our fans by the way we perform on the ice. Anything I say up here, ultimately doesn’t really matter. We have to prove it.”
Follow Dave on X: @DaveNHL
On Facebook at [email protected]
