As of 7/14 the Doan offer is out there. But he has not talked to DR in many weeks.
Doan is holding up the Ennis negotiations as well as a few trades.
As I said before Buffalo is not on Doan's hit list.
Bettman is simply the owners agent. Not that I like the man but he has built a fairly good organization over his tenure.
That's not to say I believe he'll be around much longer. He's too, idk, cold? The NHL could use a likable guy for it's face.
Thomas is different in that he's said he won't play. It not like he sucks and they want to get rid of him.
I'm sure a scenario of sending Doan down to the minors and then bringing him back up may entice other teams to take him for half his salary. Then the Sabres would only have a 3.75 dead cap hit.