tom webster

Oh please, this team already has as much talent of that “hardest working team in the league” joke except, of course, for 39, 81 and 27.

History is full of examples of people with little to no experience were the best people for the job. This is especially true in an era were what once was thought to be absolute has been completely discredited by information never before available. The fact that Lafontaine hasn’t been mentioned for any positions of comparable stature since should tell you all you need to know.

Anyone else surprised the initial ask for Colin Miller is a 1st?

I agree but I think they will be able to tweak that, either by moving Dahlin to right or bringing in another player. I don’t expect them to go crazy in free agency but I do expect once they are comfortable with the team’s trajectory that they will use some of the cap space. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new front office explore an offer sheet either.

I have some pictures of Sam, hopefully Jack hold his “jack” better

As teams become better, some believe that they have to start winning in order to build momentum and a “winning culture.” You know what also happens to these teams? As they get better, some of the younger players get older and take on larger roles, management, sensing that the team can now compete add some pieces and suddenly, everyone is talking about how the process worked and the team “learned” how to win. I’m just saying, I don’t think what happened in year 2 has any bearing on what happens in year 4. Like Flagg said, there really is no way to come up with an absolute answer to my theory. Hopefully, in two years we are all happy we’re the team is at and you’ll say they finally figured out how to develop players and I’ll say we finally showed some patience and we will both share a drink at a playoff game.

I might not have been clear. I believe in building a team around the right type of players, I just don’t believe that those players need to win initially in order to win more eventually and I don’t believe that they are destroyed by early struggles. I look at players like EROD and Marcus, players I was ridiculed for believing in and they weren’t destroyed by their time in Buffalo. EROD might be an outlier but he was always a decent player and so was Foligno and both would be perfect pieces on any team.

You should know, I have no belief in building a winning culture or momentum carrying over to next year. Good players develop no matter what is out before them. Next year will be the beginning of having an actual NHL roster again and nothing that happens till April will have any effect on the team’s play next year. If this team sent being compared to the last ten years, more people would be optimistic than not. I get it, everyone’s perception is colored by the reality of what has transpired since the tank. I choose not to look at it that way.

I’m really not sure what everyone is outraged about. This season has gone perfectly. There are signs of improvement, they are a ton more entertaining and they are playing with ECHL goalie and at least four players that don’t belong on an NHL roster. I, for one, have enjoyed this season more than the last two by a long shot.

Mercedes sponsored both New Orleans and Atlanta until New Orleans changed this year or last.

I understand what you are saying but with even franchises like Buffalo expected to approach $1B, there just isn’t enough incentive to quibble over whether team A or B has Connor McDavid. You’d be talking about increasing value by less then 1 percent. One could argue that billion dollar corporations that sponsor multiple franchises could have as much influence as any private equity investment.

I’m sorry, and I don’t want to offend anyone but a lot of you are putting too much stock in the notion that on ice performance plays a large role in the value of a franchise. Private equity guys aren’t going to give a rats ass about a franchises place in the standings.

I’m pretty sure I alluded to this in the thread about Pegulla’s selling.

While he wasn’t born in Buffalo(Albany), I’m pretty sure he was raised here.

Three guys that had pretty good careers considering were they started

Yep, but traded for Roger Crozier makes him kind of a legend.

Jacques Richard was not playing in 1986/1987. Doug Smith was.

First name that popped in my head was Paul Terbenche (sic?) but I like Gates Orlando.

Isn’t this what they said about Draisaitl? I’m not assuming just because Leon overcame it, Geekie can, just asking a question.

Nicely done

Some Christmas Day trivia: How are “The Weight,” Gordon Lightfoot’s “Sundown,” and the death of John Belushi related.

Gambling Digital Marketting Hockey’s popularity overseas The wealthy with more disposable income than ever The league softening the rules on majority owners. Sports franchises in general will be partially purchased by investment groups. This has nothing to do with the Pegulas “needing” money but rather exploring creative options to turn paper gains into liquid assets. They won’t be the only ones. Some analysts predict that with the addition of gambling and digital revenue, a franchise like the Bills will be worth a minimum of $10B and the Sabres $1B within 2 or 3 years. Hell, hockey had revenue over $5B this year and will probably recoup all their COVID losses within 2 years. On top of all that, sports ownership is still a “glamour” investment for those that need their ego stroked daily.

Hockey business is booming and TPEGS wouldn’t be selling low if that’s what he chooses to do. Everything is for sale for the right price. While I would be surprised if they completely divested themselves of the franchise, the numbers at least make it tempting.

Malone has/had NHL talent. Injuries just killed him.

Don’t be surprised if Danny Briere is part of the new leadership