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And now we witness the compounding errors of years of futility (and not making an effort to win) cause the new core to begin to collapse in on itself. The players with team control are the ones who have to exercise their "don't want to be here" message to salvage their careers and sanity. Ownership set the stage for it, embraced it, and now feeds it in a sublime cycle.

Complaining about the lack of change off the ice has masked what I see as a real willful blindness around here to a number of things on the actual roster: The level of frustration showed by Tage at his year-ender The trade deadline whispers of high-level Dahlin meetings The number of winning hard minutes Byram played and the hole trading him is going to create, along with his switch in agents The whispers of Peterka being less than happy with the city prior to the deadline, and the reputation of his agent The struggles of multiple prize core young pieces at the same time: Luukkonen, Quinn, Cozens, Samuelsson and Power The body language of Josh Norris after being traded to Buffalo, coupled with the risk of his contract The panicked overpay they gave Jason Zucker for a likely 33 points and 63 games next year The panicked overpay they gave Jordan Greenway for for a likely 18 points and 58 games next year The determined attempts of Alex Tuch to avoid addressing questions about his future in Buffalo. There are consequences to sticking with a failed coaching and management staff. Status quo isn't going to provide stability, it's going to turn these cracks into holes. We're looking at 20/21 all over again.

That pesky little thing called the CBA prevents that.

i'll assume this is substantially true. and man does it suck. (also: who's the prematurely grey slightly porky guy? frank? i recognize him. but i have no idea who he is.)

Under Shanahan, the Leafs made the playoffs the last 9 years. They have averaged 105 points per season in that time. Over the past 3 seasons, only 5 teams have won more playoff games (the 4 still playing, and Vegas). Shanahan was fired because the expectations in Toronto are now for a Stanley Cup Victory. There are Sabre fans who don't like the idea of Shanahan having a role with the Sabres?

I forget the game, but near the end there was a report that Dahlin was screaming at JJ after a low effort led to an empty net goal. That was when I realized JJ wants out, and now.

From what little info I bothered to pay attention to, it seems that Sha-na-na was willing and able to diagnose shortcomings with the Leafs and work to address them. I am thinking specifically of going out and getting a coach and a few players that seemed to address past failings. Did it work? I think an argument can be made either way. But he DID recognize and attack the issues. He brought in a coach that was going to address their weaknesses. Domi and Tanev were brought in. Those are substantial changes to address needs. Does anyone see KA doing that? I think Shanananananahan would bring instant credibility to the organization.

Sadly and interestingly, it does feel like things are actually probably worse than we make it seem on this website. We forget that even us negative ones are wildly biased

Because they aren’t trying to win

Frank says things with JJ and Buffalo have gone sideways and he doesn't expect the Sabres be able to repair them. The says teams expressed significant interest in Peterka at the deadline and the Sabres didn't bite then, but they may not have a choice now. Calls Peterka the biggest piece on the market right now and, next to Marner, the most valuable piece out there. Trade talk starts close to the 18-minute mark.

As it turns out, and without doing any deep analysis, that draft class sucked for most teams.

The fact Marner and wife just had their first child could be a big factor. Don't underestimate the desire to have family close by to help mom, especially when dad has to focus on hockey. That said, it's still a long shot. But here's an idea. What if Adams offered Marner a big 8 year contract BUT with an option for Marner to walk away after two years? That way if Buffalo isn't any better, he can re-enter free agency.

He was on an expiring contract. They needed to look at him to determine if it was worth another contract. It just so happens he made that decision for them.

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-top-80-steven-ellis-misa-hagens-schaefer-martone-desnoyers

I do because I think Shanahan is good. He built a strong organization in Toronto. The players just never pushed through but they were always set up to win. Shanahan would be a giant signal from Terry that he is ready to get serious. For Shanahan to agree to come it would mean the hierarchy would be changing in Buffalo. It would bring credibility to the franchise.

I don’t think there are any experienced “senior advisors” who would tolerate the current FO hierarchy.

This plus cost. I saw a report that showed his resigning in Toronto was $5m/year. What does Kev make in the 716? Maybe $1.1- 1.4m? Definitely at the low end.

Amerks had a good year. I know thats not what people want to hear because they have their issues with the Sabres. But that was a successful season I do have one thing to say regarding the playoffs though. The Noah Östlund disappearing act in the playoffs hurt them bad. After that first stretch where he was figuring out the north American game, he was roughly a point per game player. They needed this guy to show up and he didn't. I know he had less opportunities bc of kulich, but you have to do more than 2 assists in 8ish games

Dallas is not in line for Marner. In fact they are just about the only team that desperately needs to shed cap dollars. But I get your point about the “tax states” getting big signings lately. Serious question. What was the last big name UFA that was “over paid” (let’s use $13.5M for Marner) that paid dividends to that team? Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim was key to their D and helped win a cup. Panarin has been solid to above average for the term of his UFA deal. But no cup. How many other signings have been abject failures? Is the Tavares signing in Toronto a failure? Still playing at a high level but didn’t his AAV affect what they could do with their RFAs? Not a fan of the risk/reward element around that type of commitment.

Absolutely 100%.... but I also like the idea of being able to dunk a basketball... which I am pretty sure will happen well before Shanahan comes to work under Kevyn Adams...

..if it means KA has a reduced role, then yes, bring him onboard. I don't see this happening tho, a guy like Shanahan won't fit under Terry's thumb.

The Concept of Shanahan?

Coming to the Sabres front office? I never really liked the guy. He was a good hockey player but I don’t think that automatically makes you a good front office man. Also in my typical “the world has it out for Buffalo” attitude I think he rooked us a few times when he was with the league office.

Imo, Benson’s edge work borders on elite. And that skill helps make him the pest that he is on the ice. When he gets his man strength, watch out.