tom webster

That’s my impression too. It’s strictly a broker thing.

It’s really kind of simple, if both players play their perceived potential, the Sabres got a top pairing defenseman for a second line center.

A) The NHL, like all leagues provide suggestions on hiring and it’s a public knowledge that TPEGS consulted with them prior to both Housley and JBOT hirings B) Murray was a rising star given a lot if credit for his work with Anaheim and obviously had a lot of league ties because of family. C) Krueger was extremely well thought of throughout the league. The Canadian press especially applauded the move as most thought he got shafted in Edmonton. D) Lafontaine was extremely respected throughout the league until it became clear he didn’t have temperament for the job. Its all in black and white if you want to spend the time going through old newspaper clippings.

While you can’t argue that TPEGS decisions haven’t worked, Kevyn Adams was the only hiring that was out of the blue with no recommendation from the league.

Careful

I don’t know why anyone is upset about Vegas unless you think they are faking injuries. I wish every sport allowed teams to go over the cap if injuries left you unable to compete. It does make me laugh at those who think the Sabres should be worried about salary cap restraints.

I’d be really surprised if LA was on his 16 team no trade list.

He’s just a throw in. They took care of their captain.

I’m sorry, given what’s been going on in the room the last couple months, the room is the least of my concerns.

I believe it was two years ago but things change and in the same way players understand it’s a business, they also appreciate when it’s possible to do right as well.

I believe they moved Bates at his request. Taking care of the good soldiers goes a long way.

I love Lindy but for the “Sabres give up the first goal because DG doesn’t know how to fire them up and/or prepare them better crowd,” the only team that has allowed the first goal more then the Sabres this year is your New Jersey Devils

Accepted

I wasn’t really commenting on the opinion as much as the motivation but I would disagree slightly with your assessment. A flawed team getting hot and overtaking five or six equally flawed teams seems a lot more plausible then the same flawed team then winning four series against teams clearly better. While I don’t expect the Sabres to do it, for the first time in years I think Buffalo is capable of being better than all but maybe five teams in the conference. Washington, Pittsburgh and Tampa are clearly on the downturn of their cycle.

I think the “would’ve made a difference” might be in play here. Miss the playoffs at $75M live another year. Miss the playoffs at $82M, see you later.

I get that you prefer to play the pessimist and I understand why you would get there. What I don’t understand is why you have such disdain for those who don’t choose to wallow in misery.

Actually, they don’t do this every year but….,

I go back and forth on the internal cap. Trades that came close only to fall apart, usually because of NMC or free agent choices would seem to indicate that he was given freedom to go higher. On the other hand, they just might be good at getting their story of “trying” out to just enough people.

If Tampa plays .500 for their next 18 games Buffalo would have to go 14-8 to play for the right to make the playoffs assuming the other teams continue to falter. Is it a long shot? Certainly, just not impossible

I didn’t say I had hope. I’m just making a point that the numbers don’t jive with the way the narrative is going. Have they been a disappointment, certainly. Am I preparing to put a deposit down on playoff tickets? No.

I know, I’ve shared my frustration with management and how this season has unfolded ad nauseum. I also get that it’s a long shot. I just don’t think it’s necessarily over. I will not be satisfied with a valiant run to ninth place. I blame KA for mishandling the last two years. I’m not wavering in my belief that they could have done a lot better but UPL has been a revelation and they are not as bad as some would have you believe

I’m sorry the article is full of garbage(Skinner a center, 42-33 record, blah blah) and JR is JR. Skinner might not be a great team player but no one player is responsible for his team’s record.

It’s not Sabres media, it is how all sports team and their media relations work in 2024. There may be scattered exceptions but they all right the same stories.

They weren’t trying to sign free agents. It’s why Hasek wanted out. It’s why Peca forced a trade. The Rigases were not competing for top veterans and because there was no cap there were few free agents anyway.

They did not have trouble getting guys to come here during the Hasrk days. Ownership chose not to compete. I never once heard of any reservations from Geoff Sanderson. That being said, obviously Buffalo isn’t first choice of younger guys that have a choice but if “fans that have expectations” fall anywhere on the list of reasons to sign for free agents, and I doubt it, there are about 29 cities were fans expect more.