Kevyn Adams Speaks Injuries, Trades Prior to Game Against Stars

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams joined Brian Duff and Martin Biron on the Sabres Pregame Show on MSG Tuesday. Before the game against the Dallas Stars, Adams discussed player injuries, Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, player call-ups, and the trade deadline.

Samuelsson & Quinn

The injuries to Mattias Samuelsson and Jack Quinn without a doubt have come at an odd time. When asked about replacing them in the lineup, Adams alluded to the opportunity Zach Benson is receiving on the Sabres’ second line with JJ Peterka and Dylan Cozens tonight.

“Guys have to do more,” Adams stated, also mentioning Erik Johnson getting healthy as someone ready to fill a vacant role.

When expanding on the state of Quinn’s injury, Adams clarified that it had nothing to do with his achilles, which he was able to work his way back from earlier this season. It also was not a knee ligament injury, rather, solely pertaining to the bone.

That is good news for his recovery, although Quinn will still miss another 5-7 weeks after last week’s surgery.

Must Read: Sabres Options to Replace Jack Quinn After Injury

Thompson & Cozens

Adams was also asked about the performances of centers Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens this season.

“Those two put a lot of pressure on themselves,” Adams said, “Tage has battled through injuries…Dylan, he was a little out of his identity”.

He went on to add that the hope is that Thompson is finally healthy. He wants the team’s leading goal scorer from last season to start shooting more freely instead of trying to pick corners.

With Cozens, Adams said he’s seeing a more “direct and fast” game from the young center. He also noted his last 10-15 games have been much better.

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Rosen & Kulich

Another avenue for replacing injured players is through the pipeline. When asked about promoting prospects like Isak Rosen, Adams was clear that if a player deserves to be in Buffalo, he’ll be in Buffalo.

“We’ll evaluate,” Adams said. “When a player pushes we’ll find a way to make room for them…there’s no hesitation in promoting.”

He went on to applaud Rosen and Jiri Kulich for their strong seasons, but added that they’re still growing as players.

Trade Deadline

Perhaps the most interesting insight from Kevyn Adams came when asked about the NHL Trade Deadline.

“It starts about six weeks before the deadline,” Adams prefaced. He said the early stage is where “everybody talks to everybody.”

Then, Adams will take his conversations back to the Sabres’ internal group. Now, being about four weeks out, Adams said he’s already on second, third, and fourth conversations with some teams.

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“I go to bed exhausted,” Adams admitted. “I’m not happy…we’ll do everything we can to get better.”

When the roster tinkering will occur, however, isn’t as certain. “A lot of teams are on the fence,” Adams noted. “Some movement may have to wait until the offseason.”