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The larger issue, to me, is how complicit is Ruff? At this point I think the answer is: entirely. Either Ruff accepted the take it or leave it offer, or he has the power to make change and for some reason has chosen not to. Either way, Ruff is not the adult in the room who is going to set the organization straight.

I find it bizarre when fans gate keep contract valuation. Dude is going to get paid what he’s worth. I don’t need Skip from Cheektowaga to tell me he doesn’t think Cook is worth more than $10 mill. The market is the market. He’ll get what he’s worth. Hopefully the Bills can afford it but if not 🤷‍♂️.

Following the Oilers' OT win to start the series, one of my group chats was going on and on (and on) about what a freakish alien McDavid is on the ice. Eventually, that led to the chat reflecting on how fans of Buffalo sports have their own alien to support and enjoy. That, in turn, led to some half-baked takes on likening McDavid to Allen on some level. For my part, I think McDavid is a notch above Allen in terms of being superior to his peers and being an historic great in his sport. But there's something to it. Both players just do sh1t on the ice/field that seems impossible. And they're both joys to watch. EDIT: And both players have been bumping up against a ceiling that is short of ultimate glory.

Really good takes/insights here.

I still do not trust what Adams said in the video to be the complete story. Adams "talked" to an NHL Assistant Coach recently, but nothing really happened and no offer was made, so he ended up in Chicago.

I think we all know what is going to happen... Adams will make plays for players that can help the organization, they will not want to come here because this organiation is the worst in professional sports with no relief in sight... Adams will blame palm trees and then use our existing players and prospects and over pay to bring on middling players at best (Malynstien, Laugherty, etc... ) who wont move the needle devoid us of potentially some premium talent (who would have left us anyways) and we will be in an out of last place in the conference again all year. Nothing changes until Pegula sells or drastically changes the organizational structure to include a legitimate person to steer the ship and cede control to that person. Until then we are on the hamster wheel...

No. The roof is fine.

You could try to do a Parise-Suter double deal for the both of them, but I think other teams will be more enticing. 4x$10M for Bennett and 4x$9M for Ekblad -- gives them both a "window" to turn the team into winners and another shot at UFA when they're still in their early 30s and the cap is theoretically even higher. Would need to trade Byram and buyout Muel, and have that pipeline provide at least 2 forwards (Helenius/Wahlberg) and a 3rd pair of Novikov-Strbak by year 2.

Florida has to figure out how to retain Bennett, and it looks the "The Rat" would not mind playing for the Cats.

If there is any validity to this, Adams is ensuring this team is doomed.

I can't fathom this perspective. When I watch these games as a neutral hockey fan, I am simply in awe of how the guy plays the game. And, honestly, I can't understand the perspective even coming from a fan of a team playing against the Oilers.

If the Oilers go on to lose this series I have wonder what they were thinking when they traded McCloud for a prospect. Every other team that is as close as they are to a cup chance trades future assets for players that can play now. The bottom half of the Oilers lineup is killing them. They just can not clear the zone. I know salary cap was a concern with the Evander Kane injury but If they had to move on form McCloud they could have traded for someone who might actually play games for them this year and into the playoffs. Not matching the Broberg offer for a draft pick falls into the same category. They could have traded him for a player but took a draft pick instead. You just can not waste your superstar years for assets that do not help you now.

It says it all. You cannot just tank for draft picks and win. Somewhere along the way you need people that know how to build a team.

The problem is that these appealing players don't have a desire to join a Micky Mouse operation after they have been associated with a championship run organization. When you have resided in the premium suite you are not going to choose to live in the ghetto. The Sabres are to the NHL what the Pirates are to MLB. It's a place not to go to and a place to get out of when there. This is what the Pegula ownership has done to this victimized franchise and fanbase: He degraded it to the point of ridicule. There's a business course taught in schools. It's called: What not to do. It's considered an introductory course.

Bennett is going to get PAID after these playoffs. He’s been incredible.

Panthers in 6

Well butter my butt and call it a biscuit! I thought Adams told Ruff he had to keep them.

We’ll see. If he does garner that amount, I’m sure it won’t be here.

and its raining again

Back on topic It will be interesting to see if the Oilers have a response. They lost puck battles at a Sabres level last night. McDavid looked like the only player skating hard for the visitors.

I thought Dec. 6th was their season ending luncheon.

I always thought that whole run around about "getting to know" and then "feeling comfortable" was Adams being smug ash hole with a punchable face. Getting to know doesn't mean hire and feeling comfortable doesn't mean not fire. To me it's the same tone as "extensive search" and "Terry gives me everything we need".

Rick Dudley, Senior advisor to the GM. Just saying. The only thing that has kept us from being them is Pegula.

Love it and need more of it, McAvory did it to him in the 4 Nations. Keep pounding him and Draisaitl and you will beat Edmonton. Both teams are definitely trying to injure each other, tons of crosschecks and lots of dirty stick work!