...

Sorry, Aud, I wasn't expecting that to happen.

FWIW, Bylsma has apparently authored a few children's books on sports with his father, and isn't shy about being somewhat religious. I can't recall where I read this, but it was among the reports/bios I have read on him over the past few days. Big family guy. So, Pegula is being more than just complimentary (as far as he is concerned), he is being accurate.

Guys, guys...it's nearly the summer. You need more cowbell. Or take up smoking weed, or something, and not take all comments and discussion like we're dissecting chess strategies.

Only half-way through the interview, but thought I'd stop for a second and share some thoughts: So far, I stand by ascertain that I am more happy with DDB than I would have been with Babs. DDB is way more personable and seems very approachable and makes Babcock appear as a Neanderthal in comparison. The reason this is important is that, as we've seen, the heavy-handed authority figure coach is worn out in Buffalo. I think the players will take to Dan a lot easier than they have or would have a Ruff, Nolan, or a Babcock. I think his year off from NHL coaching may have been the best thing to happen to him. ...continuing on... I kind of wish everyone would stop talking about Eichel. I'm becoming concerned that Edmonton is going to latch onto the Eichel talk and take him, instead, in a panic. You know, DDB's demeanor, when he's telling stories, reminds me of Ruff's. I think that's one of the endearing factors in Ruff's personality and what kept him here so long, he could tell stories well. DDB has a similar quality and I bet you dollars to donuts that if his first few seasons go well, he might become very popular around here above and beyond the results he brings to the team. I agree. Murray looks like he's reacting to a dumb-ass or someone highly annoying to him, and Bylsma looks like he's Tim's buddy going "haha, yeah, what a dumb-ass!"

Dan comes off dry in the media, but I still got a good vibe from him during the presser. Murray seems to like him and Dan took his joke like they were old friends. He said the right things about learning from his experiences in Pittsburgh and learning more during his time off. He's young and will relate better with his young team and vice-versa. He's smart, not afraid of fancy stats, and is all-in with Murray's elusive plan. Sounds like he has the "freedom" and "power" he needs and wants, and the long-term security and trust from the organization to develop the team correctly. I can't see anyone better, right now, just different, maybe, but without the ring. So, I think the Sabres made the right choice here, and, in fact, I'm glad we have Disco Dan over Manipulative Babs.

I made them all.

No one cried. It's not a major Sabres presser without tears.

Bylsma already committed a faux pas: he forgot to mention Kane when he was talking about "star players" who will be under the microscope. Predicted results: coaching issue with Kane.

Yes, please.

The Pens don't have to accept a pick as part of releasing Bylsma, it's just that since there is a rule, they are probably trying to take advantage of it. If it were for a fourth or lower, my guess is Murray would have just said "whatever" and got this done. But since there is some sort of delay, it suggests the Pens and Sabres are disputing something of more significance than a really low pick.

Maybe. It's also possible, as the article we discussed the other day suggested, the Pens are trying to force the Sabres to make some sort of deal for a higher round pick.

Draft pick compensation is an issue with the Penguin's GM? No way.

I heard a rumour...

F@&king Chicago.

Yeth, that wath a great sequenth.

Hmm, undecided if that was interference. Nope, definitely not interference. He was well outside the blue paint. Crawford didn't need to touch him.

Your point is fine, you just re-state the content of the article, which is clear on its surface. What's not clear is how much hardball the Pen's GM wants to play. Example: Bylsma wants to come here, say, and Buffalo wants to hire him, but Murray says no way he wants to trade that first for a "package" with the Penguins. Now, NJ wants to hire Bylsma, Bylsma is lukewarm on that destination, but NJ is willing to deal a first for some package with the Pens. What's to say the Pens hold out and tell Bylsma we won't let you go to the Sabres but we'll let you go to NJ? Obviously, the article makes no implications either way. You can read it to mean "awe, shucks, it'd be real dandy to somehow acquire a first as part of a Bylsma deal, but Dan is a swell guy and we're not going to hold him back regardless..." or "we're going to hang a first round pick over Bylsma's head, the team willing to give up that first round pick for Bylsma and one of our over-rated bottom 6 players is the team we'll allow him to go to; it's business, not personal, Dan..." I don't think the "awe shucks" angle is the angle we should expect out of these teams.

F*ck no. If they want a first round pick for Bylsma? What? That's insane. I'd rather Richardson than give up a pick for Bylsma.

I get your point, as a comparison to what Shero did. There's the un-quantifiable "chemistry" factor that we have no idea, yet, what it will be for the Sabres. Meanwhile, I think it's safe to say Shero bombed on that and was more a Regier-style manager. With regards to Bylsma, I think TBphD detailed the reasons why I had said in prior threads that Bylsma would be a Hunter S. Thompson-esque choice: there are way too many variables left unanswered with his coaching. For every positive, there seems to be a relatively equivocal negative, or at least a reasonable, albeit ignorant retort (and I don't mean stupid here, just ignorant because fans don't have all of the facts usually). He's like the first round draft pick that fell from top 5 to the mid-round because of "questions". If the variables swing more toward the positive for the Sabres, then, they hit a home-run. If the complaints are valid, well, then we may as well have re-hired Ron Rolston.

Really? I think Tampa and Anaheim would be better to watch than the alternatives.