tom webster

I don’t know what they gave me but once I was rolled into the “room” all I remember is giving them my name and birthday and next thing I knew I was being told I could get dressed. Great stuff.

Anyway, thanks for the concern, everything went well. Get to wait another five years before a repeat performance. Everyone has been refunded except for Taro who has reserved a ticket for the next get together.

Pavel Bure Bobby Hull Guy Lafleur Tony Esposito and the one that always gets me in trouble Bobby Clarke

Not yet and vote is expected to be very close.

For the record, I see no downside either. My implication was that his reputation is pretty public so TP and KP signing off on it would be a huge move.

Corner of Delaware and Hertel, next to Burger King. Fenced in and I always see someone playing there.

Dudley would be a huge get but there is a reason he has been all over. He doesn’t play well with others, especially superiors. If they sign him, it would be a huge shot at those who believe the owners meddle more then other owners.

Have you ever seen Dudacek and Marty in the same place? Have you heard Dudacek’s French Canadian accent? How about Marty’s Western Canadian accent?

They should fire anyone who even considers that trade for a half a second. There are definitely second line centers I would trade the pick for. A slow, mediocre one isn’t one of them.

Actually, I’m just finding this out. Ten years ago the procedure was a breeze but the prep was awful. This isn’t too bad

Thanks, I could use a beer. Instead, I am about to start prep for my colonoscopy in the morning. Somehow sharing this makes it less daunting.

It’s up to you. You didn’t respond. If you want it back I can send if you confirm your PayPal the same. Otherwise you are set for whenever

I have sent back the money to the people that asked and confirmed their PayPal or Venmo addresses.

I don’t believe they meddle. The fact that they allowed JNOT to hand out the contracts he did is as much proof of my position as anything you have provided to the contrary. There is no doubt they have to sign off on things at a certain price point but that’s just being owners.

Actually I am contending, especially in hockey, that a GM isn’t more likely to make a good hire. In fact, I think I could put together a position hire showing that a GM is more then likely to miss.

All of these continued shots would indicate there is a right way to make these hires when, in fact, history has proven it’s just a shot in the dark. There is still no proven way to hire coaches and general managers. Experienced guys fail, non-experienced guys, communicators, teachers, cutting edge, analytical, old school, it really doesn’t matter. I understand the skepticism and the hand wringing but the biggest difference between the Pegulas and other owners is an acceptance of paying off contracts and keep trying. They could have left someone in charge longer, eventually made the playoffs and never contend.

I don’t believe playing in the AHL is necessary toward their development.

Definitely pre-pandemic.

The NHL, and most of Harrington’s contacts are old school guys that hate what Arizona and Carolina are doing amongst others. They are waiting with baited breath for Dubai’s to fail in Toronto. It is not uncommon in any business for new CEO’s to seek counsel from those that have been a success in the business. The Pegulas have just been inpatient and been unlucky in their choices. Another point that I haven’t seen answered about a couple of narratives; If they are so close to cash poor and so meddling, why did they let JBOT spend on salary, resign his assistants and negotiate contracts with the AHL staff.

Happy Father’s Day to all. Looking forward to my day with four awesome children and two soon to be daughter in law and son in law. Might have to start a gofundme page to pay for weddings and remaining college debt but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

My first assignment with regards to prospect development would be to get rid of our AHL and ECHL affiliations likely saving around $20M per year. Low rates prospects would be left with their junior teams or colleges for the duration or play in Europe. Then, I would consult with my CBA guru Taro; How can I keep my top 10 prospects in Buffalo Monday through Fridays and then Loan then to other AHL teams on the weekend? They would spend Monday through Friday undergoing extensive coaching, dietary training, psychological training and doing on ice drills with the best teaching coaches I could hire.

The AHL firings are purely difference in philosophy. They spent over $5M on AHL veterans. Sexton and Taylor believed in building a winning “culture.” Adams and Krueger see it as more of an extended coaching and development camp.

Pretty much agree with this except, NTC’s were a by product of pushing the no tax thing. You can’t convince a guy to take less because of state taxes and then not give him a NTC.

I knew there have been different adjustments to the rules but didn’t want to do the research. Thanks.

If analytics is evolving to the point that it can pinpoint with 90% accuracy how players will develop, and if the draft itself is such a crap shoot and varies on depth every year and if the margin of error is so slim between the 5th best team versus the 25th best team, smart managers will realize that they are paying 2 to 5 assistant GM’s, 20-30 scouts and stocking two minor league teams with the sole mission being to find one or two outliers per year. McDonalds is heading to the day when robots cook the hamburgers, sports is realizing they are investing in a for profit fundraiser for failed jocks.