Takeaways from Sabres GM Kevyn Adams after the NHL trade deadline

Kevyn Adams explored the various avenues that teams venture down ahead of the NHL trade deadline - utilizing the Sabres' cap space to broker a deal, trading expiring contracts for future assets, even adding players who fit the mold of what is being built in Buffalo.
Ultimately, he prioritized keeping his young core in a position to compete over their final 19 games of this season.
"At the end of the day for me it was always about what was best for this group moving forward," Adams said. "What was the best thing for the development of this group? And really wanted to be mindful of putting these players in a position to keep getting better."

The Sabres acquired a sixth-round pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for defenseman Robert Hagg on Sunday. They did not make any trades Monday before the 3 p.m. deadline, opting instead to preserve a roster that has won four of its last five games.
It is a reward for a team that embraced the pressure of playing a pair of games in the NHL spotlight, winning at home over Vegas and former captain Jack Eichel and then beating rival Toronto in the Heritage Classic. It responded to a lopsided loss in Edmonton with consecutive road wins in Calgary and Vancouver.
The Sabres' young talent has continued to shine within that stretch. Dylan Cozens elevated his physicality. Peyton Krebs and Tage Thompson delivered timely goals. Rasmus Dahlin continued to cement himself as an All-Star caliber defenseman.
That success has come thanks in part to the support of their veteran cast. Adams listed Craig Anderson, Vinnie Hinostroza, and Mark Pysyk - all of whom are on expiring contracts and thus would be considered trade candidates - as players who are both stabilizing presences on the ice and impactful personalities off of it.
"I just really believe these next 19 games for our group are so important," he said. "It's important that we continue to push ourselves, continue to hold each other accountable, continue to grow, and I felt that the position that we've put ourselves in with the group we have will allow us to keep doing that."
Here are more takeaways from the trade deadline.

Hayden enters COVID-19 protocol

Adams confirmed forward John Hayden did not travel with the team from Vancouver and has been placed into COVID-19 protocol. He is asymptomatic.

Anderson stays put

Adams made it a point to consider Anderson's wishes leading up to the deadline, a sign of respect for a player who on Sunday moved into 37th place on the NHL's all-time wins list and who has made a significant impact as a leader in the Sabres' dressing room.
The GM called Anderson to continue their dialogue early Monday morning, shortly after the team had landed from its red-eye flight from Vancouver.
"I wanted to make sure this organization does the right things in a first-class way and does the right things for the people that have done so much for us," Adams said.
Adams said Anderson was open to moving if the right situation presented itself but was happy in Buffalo.
"He also said, 'I love it here and this has been an amazing organization to be a part of,' and wanted to be here, which was a big deal to me,'" Adams said.
Adams said he also had dialogue with defenseman Colin Miller, whose contract is up after this season. Miller had surgery to repair an upper-body injury in January and returned for just two games before the deadline.
"Colin and I have a really good relationship," Adams said. "He's a great pro. He's a great person. I've been honest with him back and forth through this process. Certainly was, for his sake, if there was an opportunity to do something, I would've."

Trio assigned to Rochester

The Sabres assigned Krebs to the Rochester Americans along with defensemen Mattias Samuelsson and Casey Fitzgerald, a paper transaction that will allow the three players to participate in an AHL playoff run should the Amerks qualify.
All three players will be immediately recalled to Buffalo.
"I just think that it would be great if Rochester was able to be in a playoff spot, have those guys available with the other young players that we're pretty excited about down there," Adams said. And in our best-case scenario, maybe they could go on a run and do it together."

Adams announced that Fitzgerald has been medically cleared to return after missing the last four games with an upper-body injury.