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When was the last pre-tank team where there was so little faith in the upper organization? Even after 87-88 Ted Sator, Gerry Meehan survived for awhile as GM. This organization seems way more hopeless than even some of the teams historically bad seasons past. This seems off the charts for Buffalo.

Your description using words such as “rumblings” and “rumors” is a fairer representation than using the stronger word such as “report”. On the other hand, KA has stated/acknowledged on the radio that Buffalo is not an appealing destination for many players because of its perceived reputation. He then stated that the only way to change that perception is to win more.

Appert should've been canned this off-season. That he wasn't and that IF there's a canning of the HC &/or GM too (much more likely to see the former than the latter) we'll see Appert in the "interim" HC role might be one of the few silver linings to come out of this. Him taking over NEXT season screws next season up too; whereas him failing to appreciably improve the team's fortunes getting the job midseason MIGHT actually cause him to get jettisoned too when the season ends. The sliver lining being that since somebody in management or higher up thinks he can do the job, his demonstrating what he can do might actually get them to change directions when this season ends. 100% am hoping the Sabres succeed this year. Not necessarily expecting it and have little to 0 faith in several members of the hockey department. So, IF they can't be good this year and aren't actually moving in the right direction; let it be ugly enough to get things moving in the right direction.

Whatever Putin wants Trump wll try to give it to him. Putin wanted his Sanctions lifted, Trump did it. Putin wanted to paint Zelenskyy as an evil person, Trump did it. Putin didnt want a ceasefire, Trump allowed it.

The rumor was that they reached out to 2 coaches about joining the staff and that an actual offer was made to one that would have replaced Wilford. Both apparently turned the Sabres down. The source of the rumor typically is very credible so personally expect the rumor is fact. No indication of why the coach that was offered Wilford's job turned the Sabres down, nor any indication what role the other coach they'd spoken to would have had. Don't have a link to it.

4 things 4 very good things at that

50/50 shot his latest philanthropic endeavor would be helping to support/expand/improve a children's hospital in a location he has ties to or a Canada goose eradication program. He probably chose wisely. 😉 In all seriousness, it's good that he does have worthy causes that he literally supports very generously. Darn shame that this area's manufacturing base has taken such a hit through the years as we could use many more billionaires like him with ties to the community.

Its the 4th Childrens hospital he donated 50 Mil to. Speaks for itself.

Jobs Taxes paid

I saw/heard rumblings from one or two local sources that the Sabres had talked to at least one person about joining the coaching staff but those discussions fizzled. I wouldn’t call it a “report” and what the persons role was going to be and whether it would involve replacing anyone was unclear. seemed pretty vague at the time and my recollection of it is vague as well. If someone has a link it would be appreciated.

Pet game day thread peeve of mine: The guy who rips the defence man after other team scores on the PP with a “left the guy wide open” Like WTF man, it’s a PK, did you think he was playing man-to-man?

Not all that surprising. Jokiharju was a better PKer by the eye test than he was at 5v5 too. And a lot of why Power and Henri are good at the PK are some of the same reasons that they both stink at 5v5 defensively. When down a man, you have to play to an area and not lock onto an individual attacker. You try to move them to the sides, but if not, you're still trying to take up space keeping the attacker from the puck and using an active stick to take away the passing lanes. They don't change how they play when they're not outmanned. So, when what you ALWAYS do is the right thing to do in a specialized situation, it makes sense that they're actually better than average in the specialized situation. And what that's a dumb way to play in general, it makes sense that they're actually worse than they should be for their skill level.

Not true at all. Florida is very fast but they play a controlled game. They are most definitely NOT a grinding puck possession team. The D is mobile and attacks because the forwards drop. The forwards shoot it in and then accelerate into an aggressive forecheck. They stop the skill offense of the other team before it starts. They are relentless. You look at these skill guys like McJesus and they carry it from their end and you think how fast they are, and they are fast, but Florida turns it off and on at the right moments and plays a structured positional game. Without speed their system fails miserably. Sabres should play that system. They have the size and speed. They need the will and tenacity.

Oddly enough (and probably surprising to some) the most effective PKer of the Sabres regulars last year was Owen Power. He allowed 6.18 PP goals against per 60 Clifton 8.08 Byram 9.68 Samuelsson 11.83 were the other guys with over 100 minutes. Timmins had more then 100 minutes at 6.92 Kesselring didn’t qualify. League median would be about 7.8

So that's two good things golisano has provided the region... Nice charity donations A winning hockey club

There is one single thing I think size/height helps you with....without regard to any other talent or ability: Penalty Killing. In all the years I have watched hockey, the #1 issue when killing penalties for the guys on the ice (not counting goaltending) is when they 'break the box' and start chasing. If you maintain discipline, you are likely to have a very good penalty killing unit.. Being tall with a good reach allows these guys to stand in the same spot and cover a lot of ground...get in the passing lanes with just their reach without having to move too much. A Tall guy with a big-time reach, with just a little bit of basic coaching and discipline, is likely to be a good penalty killer.

Elsewhere, TP announced he will purchase the hospital's beer league team, the C Diffs.

If the question is now whether or not Mittelstadt could help the Sabres when an injury occurs... the answer would be, most likely. However, no one is injured yet. And if you distill it down what is being asked is "Is there a player available in the NHL who could help the Sabres by only giving up a second round or third round pick, in case the Sabres suffer an injury?" I think the answer, at any point in the season would be.. yes. So why go get Mittelstadt now? Nothing sways my opinion. He was moved for a reason, he was moved again for a reason and now the team that ended up with him is willing to move him again. That's the only red flag I need.

I attended the event that the Golisano school hosted a while back -- was it last year? -- where he announced millions and millions of dollars in gifts to a variety of worthy nonprofits (including colleges and universities) from Western NY and the Finger Lakes region. And now a big ol' gift to Buffalo's Children's Hospital? All jokes aside: I have enormous respect for the guy. Most (damn near all) billionaires do not thusly deal with their money. I wish more did.

Really? Shame on me! Yes, I know how it's spelled. The older I get, the more careless my fingers get while typing.

Really?

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/business/health-care/article_fc290fce-0a18-4bf2-9091-dcbf84ba46a6.html In other news, Larry Quinn will be in charge of hiring surgeons and approving medical procedures.

Tuch on the national team's 4th (3rd?) line would make a ton of sense. Dude can PK as well, obviously.

Can confirm; sat next to PTR for part of the game. I think 4500 is generous, actually.