The news that Buffalo Sabres Jiri Kulich is sidelined indefinitely with a blood clot isn’t just concerning for the player’s health—it’s a gut punch to the organization’s depth and a massive headache for GM Kevyn Adams. The immediate question on every fan’s mind is: what now?
As an analyst I can tell you the timing couldn’t be worse. We’re in that tricky part of the season where the Eastern Conference is a chaotic logjam. Nobody is waving the white flag; nobody is a “seller” yet. Every GM is holding their cards, waiting to see if they’re contenders or pretenders. For Adams, this means picking up the phone to find a “Closed for Business” sign on most doors.
The hard truth is that making a meaningful trade right now is nearly impossible. Teams that might have a useful forward to spare are likely competitors, and they aren’t about to do the Sabres any favors. This is where a GM’s patience and creativity are truly tested.
What Are Adams’ Real Options?
Let’s be realistic: a blockbuster trade is not walking through that door. As Sabres insider Matthew Fairburn points out, a big shake-up is highly unlikely. The salary cap is one barrier, but the bigger issue is inventory. Any veteran forward with value is either on a contending team or locked down with a no-trade clause (NTC), giving them full control over their destination. Players won’t be keen to waive their NTCs for a lateral move this early in the season.
So, while Adams should (and will) be working the phones, he’s likely looking at two less-than-ideal scenarios. First, he waits. He waits for the market to open up, for injuries to pile up on other rosters, and for GMs to get desperate. The risk? By the time that happens in a few weeks, the Sabres could be too far behind in the standings for it to matter.
The Internal “Fix”
The second, more immediate option is the one fans dread but must accept: looking internally and scouring the waiver wire. This is the “next man up” philosophy. It’s not sexy, and it doesn’t sell tickets, but it’s pragmatic. The Buffalo Sabres will have to rely on their Rochester Americans call-ups to plug the hole and pray for a spark. It puts immense pressure on the current, already-banged-up NHL roster to overperform. Adams’ hands are tied by the market, and while doing something feels necessary, the wrong move (a costly overpayment for a depth piece) could hurt the team more than standing pat.
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The post Sabres Staring Down a Roster Crisis: Analyzing Kevyn Adams’ Next Move After Kulich Injury appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
