Ex-Blackhawks players time as NHL general manager comes to an end with firing Monday

The decision came as Buffalo flirts with its 15th straight season without a playoff berth, one of the longest droughts in NHL history.

Adams, who was drafted 25th overall in 1993 and played 540 NHL games, including a stint with the Chicago Blackhawks, returned to hockey in an executive role and climbed the Sabres' front office ladder before being named GM.

His tenure was marked by high draft picks, tough trades, and persistent struggles to build a contender.

Buffalo owner Terry Pegula said the organization simply wasn't where it needed to be, a blunt acknowledgment that the Sabres have never escaped the cellar or consistently pushed for postseason hockey under Adams. Sabres fans, long restless, frequently voiced frustration at the team's performance and direction this season.

After the Sabres' announcement, the locker room and fanbase both braced for change. Adams' legacy is complicated. He showed passion and tenacity as a player and executive yet couldn't translate that into wins or playoff progress. Some supporters admired his loyalty; others felt his decisions failed to add enough scoring depth or a franchise goalie.

Replacing Adams is Jarmo Kekaläinen, the longtime NHL executive Buffalo brought in as a senior advisor this past May. Kekaläinen, the former GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets, takes over with a reputation for savvy trades and draft acumen. The hope is that his experience will help the Sabres finally turn the page on a rebuilding chapter.

Now the focus turns to whether Kekaläinen's leadership can galvanize the roster and re-energize a fan base worn down by years of missed opportunity. For Adams, the chapter closes in Buffalo, but his unique journey from playing in Chicago to NHL executive will be remembered.