Insider: Kevyn Adams Was ‘Major Dark Cloud Hanging Over’ Sabres Franchise

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Former Buffalo Sabres enforcer and now podcaster Andrew Peters has revealed a slew of inside information on what led to the dismissal of general manager Kevyn Adams. The GM's firing was the turning point for the Sabres to go from worst to first and finally end their 14-year playoff drought. 

Speaking on The Fan 590's Kyper & Bourne Show, Peters says Adams was "a major dark cloud" hanging over the Buffalo franchise.

“It was my understanding that [Kevyn Adams] was a major dark cloud over this franchise. A major dark cloud. It even goes back to last year." 

He then related the story of when owner Terry Pegula flew out to Montreal to meet with the Sabres players in December of 2024 during another crisis period for the team. 

"Apparently, and this is from a very reliable source, the players thought they were meeting and going to the rink to find out that Kevyn Adams was being relieved of his duties, and they were very excited about that."

Sabres players 'just had enough of being a joke'

"Then, when they found out that he was not, they went out that night and got smoked (by the Canadiens) and I think they just had enough of being a joke and they just couldn't recover from it."

Peters went on to explain that many of the players didn't like the way Adams was handed the GM's job five years earlier without having "paid his dues" or "having the credibility" for the job. Adams served in the Business Operations side of the franchise as Senior Vice President of Business Administration, before being named GM in 2019. He was in tight with owners Terry and Kim Pegula. 

Peters also pointed specifically to the infamous "No palm trees" press conference by Adams, which, said Peters, "made the franchise look like a joke. And I think the players felt that."

Overall, he attributes it to there simply not being enough moral or pride in the team under Adams' stewardship. "When you're excited to go play, you might play a little differently."

The Sabres were tied for last place in the Eastern Conference on Dec. 15th when they fired Adams, but went on a 36-9-5 tear after his departure, the ultimate worst-to-first story, finishing atop the Atlantic Division. 

They're currently tied 1-1 in their first-round playoff series with the Boston Bruins, in their first postseason appearance since 2011. 

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