So, I have a theory here, and I have zero inside info.
I think the pandemic and the last season was probably the last straw for the Pegulas and the Sabres.
They have owned the Sabres for a decade and have one playoff appearance to show for it. The Bills get all the attention and praise, the Sabres take up a similar time commitment and just probably piss off the Pegula's, mostly.
They also bleed money while the Bills print money. And the Sabres are due a new arena soon-ish. Not as soon as the Bills, but it's on the horizon.
So, let's review what you do when you are trying to sell a business:
1. You are reducing your fixed costs as much as the business can bear. An example would be a company might cut some of their "cost centers", such as IT, R+D, anything that isn't showing immediate dividends and won't immediately lead to new sales, gone or reduced to minimal levels
2. Likely a management change. Someone who is on at least on board with the culling that will take place and will be rewarded for it.
So, what have the Sabres done? Well, they've cut cost.
Most notably, in the support staff areas, with scouting being the biggest red flag. In early June 2020, the Sabres employed 21 people as scouts/director(s) of scouting. They now employ 9 in the same roles.
And again, not to beat a dead horse here, but Adams was not qualified by any objective measure to be a NHL GM, yet here he is, dismantling the team. His lone qualification(s) seem to be willing to fire people and loyalty to the Pegulas.
Now, we look to this year, and what is happening? Other than Skinner and Okposo, who are nigh unmovable, every high dollar contract is out the door. It's on thing to run a budget team, but this appears to be a cap floor team. Sure, this is being done under the guise of "players who want to be here", but in reality, it's "Players who want to get paid here" is what they are trying to get rid of.
I have to think the endgame here is the Pegula's selling the team. Not sure to whom