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Sabres GM vows to fix team: Struggles are 'unacceptable'

Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / Getty

The Buffalo Sabres are in the midst of yet another disappointing season, and general manager Kevyn Adams expressed his frustration with the team's lack of progress.

"I'm angry. I would hope all of you are," Adams said, according to Buffalo News Sport's Mike Harrington. "I would hope all our fans are because that means you care. ... I've been empowered by Terry and Kim Pegula to fix this and that's what I'm going to do."

The Sabres made a number of big moves during the offseason, including the additions of top free agent Taylor Hall and depth piece Eric Staal. Many expected those acquisitions to finally push Buffalo to contender status, but the team once again finds itself near the bottom of the standings.

With a 6-12-3 record, the Sabres rank third-last in the league in points percentage and goals per game (2.19). Head coach Ralph Krueger is in his second year at the helm, and Adams didn't dismiss the notion that his job may be in jeopardy.

"Everything is being evaluated. (Krueger) understands the situation we're in is unacceptable," Adams said when asked why a coaching change hasn't been made yet, according to Harrington. "The players do. Everybody does. It's just flat-out not good enough."

The general manager is reportedly aggressively trying to make a trade to improve his club. Franchise center Jack Eichel has expressed his displeasure with the club's performance in the past, but Adams said he hasn't requested a trade, according to Harrington.

The team's top players have struggled to produce so far in 2021. Eichel and Hall have just two goals apiece, and Jeff Skinner has collected just one assist while also being a healthy scratch for several games.

Buffalo hasn't reached the postseason since 2011.

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