...

Agree on all points. In this particular game they had already given up the puck so much it was sheer idiocy to pull the goalie at all. Given that, the message from the coaching staff was that with over 3 minutes left they felt the game was already lost.

It's so obvious why Byram was a trade piece.

So difficult to be a loyal fan.

About time Power did something other than let pucks go by him.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Øresund_Bridge

I've nearly abandoned all rock and pop except for circumstances where I need mindless background music. If I seek out something to listen to for pleasure in the broad category of "rock", lately it's usually The Sword. Mostly listening to classical and jazz these days, primarily classical, which I've loved since being a wee lad. It is far more engaging and interesting than a lot of the tired, repetitive rock, pop, etc. genres. Right now, I am listening to this gem...

I was surprised he started the regular season. However, as @thewookie1 said so well, Dahlin likely choose to try and play through it. His fiancé' likely encouraged him to give it a go. Can't blame him for the choice, don't blame her, either, obviously - it's the kind of thing any strong-willed, young couple would choose to do. Domestic concerns are going to distract Rasmus from now on. The key will be accepting that dimension and learning to live with it, which is a challenge for a young man. Eventually he will find a balance.

.01% chance they keep playing him in the hopes he "finds his game".

I can think of a reason why...

Don't be a Luddite. The AI "jargon" is the output of a tool. No different than the output of a LexisNexis search. You begged for it by forgetting there is a clear trend pointing at meddling of the sort I conjectured, therefore you get the AI output. Good thing you don't do my landscaping with an imagination lacking in possibilities.

Statements from Kevyn Adams on Pegula's Involvement Adams has repeatedly emphasized Pegula's hands-on role, framing it as collaborative and supportive. These comments often come in end-of-season pressers or during slumps, where Adams highlights daily communication and Pegula's input on major calls. Daily conversations and strong opinions on roster/operations (April 2024): In a season-ending press conference, Adams pushed back on criticism of Pegula's visibility, saying, "Terry Pegula watches closely, talks to me every day, has strong opinions on what he sees, and we have great conversations." He added that Pegula would be "absolutely someone that I’m leaning on" for the coaching search, though Adams called it his "final decision." This was amid questions about the team's culture and failure to end the drought. wivb.com Endorsement of Pegula's engagement (April 2025): After another playoff miss, Adams reiterated their routine: "I have daily conversations with owner Terry Pegula about the direction of the franchise." He described upcoming meetings to "review everything, talk about the roster and everything in the organization in hockey operations, where we can improve," and stressed being "very honest in the conversations with Terry to say where I think I’ve made mistakes." buffalonews.com +1 Adams has echoed this "every day" dynamic in multiple interviews, including one where he said, "Terry and I always had a good back and forth," tying it to alignment on issues like puck management and special teams. nytimes.com Trade deadline input (March 2025): Ahead of the deadline, Adams quoted Pegula directly as asking, "What do we need to do to make this team better? Everything we should be thinking about is we need to improve, and what are those decisions?" Adams noted Pegula's empowerment but stressed keeping him "in the loop" on scenarios, saying, "I took in all the information, listened, made sure he was in the loop... it’s my call. But that’s what I love about Terry, because we do have that relationship where there’s true honesty." buffalohockeybeat.com This came during trades like sending Dylan Cozens to Ottawa, seen as a vote of confidence in Adams but with Pegula's clear oversight. Statements and Actions from Terry Pegula Himself Pegula speaks less often (his last full Sabres presser was in 2020), but when he does, he positions himself as deeply invested. His actions—like joining calls and hires—reinforce this. On the Taylor Hall signing (2020): In a team-released behind-the-scenes video, Pegula directly intervened during free agency, telling Adams, "We sign this guy, we’re not only trying to make the playoffs. We’re trying to win the Cup." This bold move (Hall's four-year, $45M deal) backfired with a last-place finish, but it exemplified Pegula's push for win-now decisions amid the drought's ninth year. nytimes.com On hiring Adams as GM (2020): Pegula bypassed a traditional search, calling Adams to Florida for an immediate promotion after firing Jason Botterill. He explained, "We felt like we weren’t being heard. We have a vision, and we want to see our vision succeed." Pegula added that Adams was an "in-house hire" they'd had "in mind very recently" due to nine years of knowing him, emphasizing loyalty and efficiency over external expertise. This led to Adams accepting a below-market salary and a staff overhaul (22 firings). nytimes.com +1 Broader historical involvement: Pegula has described crowding trade deadlines ("He was there every day," per a former scout) and drafts early in ownership. In 2023, after firing coach Don Granato, he stressed accountability "starts with me" and the need for "discipline, structure, and communication" in searches—qualities he said were lacking. nhl.com +1 More recently, in December 2024, he met players in Montreal during a skid, affirming faith in Adams and coach Lindy Ruff while ruling out big trades. @frank_seravalli Reporters note he "has influence on every consequential decision," from prospects to cap spending (the Sabres have been $60M under the cap over five years). buffalonews.com +1 Context and Broader Implications These examples align with a pattern: Pegula's passion for hockey (he built Harborcenter and scouts prospects personally) leads to heavy input, but it's often blamed for instability—e.g., no experienced president of hockey ops, rushed hires, and veto power on extensions like Jeff Skinner's. Adams' defenses (e.g., "Terry Pegula is as engaged as he’s ever been" in 2024) suggest loyalty, but outlets like The Athletic describe it as a "hamster wheel" where Pegula's vision overrides expertise, contributing to the drought. nytimes.com +1 In 2023, Pegula even named himself team president, dissolving the shared Bills/Sabres entity for more direct control. nfl.com +1

Be specific. There are three "things" there.

That the coaches, or, perhaps GM Pegula, haven't recognized this really says it all about how this team is run. I would not be shocked in the least to learn that GM Pegula wanted to play UPL as much as possible since his return in an effort to try and move him. Of course, I would also not be shocked to learn that GM Pegula wanted to play UPL no matter what because he's their high-dollar goalie.

Say it, Lindy. You know you want to. "Our goal tending was bad tonight."

We all realize this is a bad sign, right? I suppose I will need to add the caveat that this has nothing to do with Benson. Hockey is a team sport that relies on team depth.

I hope this is the wake-up call Ruff et al need to close the door on UPL. That trip was unnecessary, dangerous, and mean. That guy is a dark cloud and needs to go.

Ukka Pekka Luukkonen

Dunne has those 70s vibes.

I had little hope for this game, but now that Doug is back, I think we get the regulation win.

I have a theory that the executive suite that tolerates a Brian Duff also tolerates the product we see on the ice. When they dismiss Duff they will turn into a winning team seemingly over night. So is my sick dog.

For this game I'm not disappointed with the loser point. Some of the prior ones, sure, but this was a tight game that they could have lost control of in regulation.

That they blame on excessive injuries.

Better than a zero-point losing streak.

And all of them are the ones who actually go to the net.

Pegula has finally opened his wallet down in the arena tunnels.