When Kevyn Adams was let go by the Buffalo Sabres during last season, you knew that he was going to end up with another organization at some point. Little did anyone know that he would end up with the Boston Bruins as a senior advisor to general manager Don Sweeney.
That move was made in late June, but was not officially announced until July. When it was announced, some people started putting things together in terms of the moves made in late June and July. What were those moves?
First, right before the 2026 NHL Entry Draft was about to begin in late June, the Bruins traded their first-round draft pick and another future pick to the Utah Mammoth for right-winger JJ Peterka. The Mammoth moved Peterka after just one season in Utah, after he was acquired from the Sabres and Adams last summer.
Second, out of nowhere, the Black and Gold signed defenseman and former Boston blueliner Connor Clifton for a second stint. That was a two-year deal that surprised some, as it was yet another addition on the back end for a Boston team that is overwhelmed with defensemen going into 2026-27.
Michael Augello of The Hockey News started putting two and two together and dropped an interesting quote about all the former Sabres not residing in Boston.
Sabres writer drops interesting quote on former Sabres landing in Boston
For those keeping score at home, as currently constructed, the Bruins have former Sabres Casey Mittlestadt, Nikita Zadorov, Peterka, and Clifton on their roster with Adams in the front office.
"Now, you know, you look at the I'm sure there's a, there's some influence that Kevin Adams has already had in Boston because they immediately, after hiring him, traded for JJ Peterka'' Augello said. "So it's like, it's the Buffalo Sabres' retirement home. Casey Mittlestadt, Nikita Zadorov, Peterka, Connor Clifton. It's like every ex-Sabre is gonna end up in Boston.''
Well, maybe not every Sabre, but it is hard to ignore the theme that has formed lately. Now, Zadorov just finished his second season in Boston after signing as a free agent in the summer of 2024. Mittlestadt was acquired at the trade deadline in 2025 from the Colorado Avalanche as part of the return for Charlie Coyle.
As for Peterka and Clifton, those moves were made after Adams joined the Bruins. Is it a coincidence? Maybe, maybe not, but referring to the Bruins as a Sabres retirement home is certainly a take. We are a month away from training camp beginning at Warrior Ice Arena, and there could still be some moves made by Sweeney, and would it be surprising if Mittlestadt comes up in trade conversations again? If that does happen, then that'll be one less former Sabre in their retirement home in Boston.
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