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I see no reason to not take Murray's word on this. His WGR interview and the Babcock Toronto presser fill in the holes rather completely. This is going to be a long-ass summer if we take every BS utterance seriously.

You can't lay hindsight at the feet of the Sabres over this. They wanted Babcock and had as good a chance as any team in landing him, as far as anyone knew at the time. Normally these coach searches fly under the radar, so normally we aren't aware of the process, and therefore have no real baseline to reference when it comes to evaluating whether "they're doing it right" or not. I think it's safe to say that the odds are in the Sabres favour they will have a coach by September, if not July 1. And, goodness but I hate to say it, I really do, but I'm kind of hoping old Claude becomes available. I think he and Richardson as a coaching team would be exceptionally interesting.

Thanks. He seems pretty solid. I love how, at this level, you can not make a mistake because every player is so engaged with the game. Anaheim, especially, seems tuned into where the puck is, and where it's going, without fail.

A bit late to the Anaheim party, but is that Anderson as in formerly from Ottawa Anderson?

Crawford is going to get himself pulled. He's been beat easily a few times now.

This West game is pretty good.

Why not a Bylsma/Richardson tandem?

Well, Kruppstahl, I guess nothing. Any suggestions?

What do you mean? I thought...aww, now you should be all hurt.

tiff FYI. Just helping.

Sounds to me like someone mischaracterized Murray/Pegula's reaction...perhaps a reaction in the moment, but, if Murray is being honest (which I have no reason to doubt), they go right back to business.

Good interview with Murray on WGR. I guess that puts some things in their places...unless you don't believe him. :w00t:

I think the amount of money involved is a moot point. He was going to get paid no matter where he decided to coach. So, then the question is, where do WE want to spend the next 5 - 8 years of our lives?

So, as I start looking for a new source of income, I shouldn't really involve my family in the decision-making process? Because, say, if I want to move to Nashville, and my wife doesn't, then, I guess we're not moving to Nashville. That's how it works here, at least. Maybe I'm whipped. As it turns out, after going to Nashville with my wife recently, all of sudden she is okay with moving there. That doesn't apply to other relationships? I thought people were made fun of for being so dominant in relationships these days. I am so confused about 2015.

FWIW, I look at the content of a post, then I look at who posted it. If it's a run-on paragraph or epic essay even with proper formatting; if the point is uninformed or poorly reasoned; if the thinking is just stupid right off the bat; if the insults, ego, elitism, and/or superiority complex manifest within the first couple of sentences; if there is a lack of respect for the forum and its culture; then I feel the person needs to be responded to personally and regardless of their point the post is tainted and the point is lost. This forum is one of the best on the internet for anything in terms of its culture and is worth policing and protecting by its members. We don't need, or shouldn't allow, someone to come in here thinking they can be the new sheriff of a one-horse town, and that all of the locals are yokels who need some teachin'.

That's exactly what I thought. Simple to imagine: their little girl liked to walk around the house barefoot. Or something in the vein.

Ron Rolston had that rep.

Come on, folks, this isn't this Sabres administration's first time at the dance. When are we going to start giving them a little credit for having some experience and intelligence? There were a few reports from tangential sources, which is bound to happen with the Babcock situation being the center of the NHL despite the playoffs, but clearly no official leaks to the usual recipients during this period. They were playing it close to the vest for a reason. I am now.

Love it. Yes, TBPhD, I have to say, I would be willing to look the other way if he was our man in the end, based strictly on the argument you presented. Good job. I personally don't have a top 5 list, yet, so I won't go on record ranking him for myself, but it's interesting to see who has him as their number one or two.

Watch his eyes, you can see him thinking. He doesn't make a lot of speaking errors or repeat himself. I could handle interviews from this guy.

I want to see the case made for Julien where my skin doesn't crawl and/or I don't want to vomit after reading it.

Possibly. I'm very tired and should probably not post much right now. Although, I will say that, PR-wise, it shouldn't matter who they hire, they just went through two-years plus of tanking and got away with it. Yeah, a Babcock hire, on paper, would have been a nice reward to the fans (PR-wise, although as it turns out, I think Babcock is sleazy). But, just like they were patient and careful with the PR during the tank, they can do the same for Richardson, so long as Richardson can actually bring the results. Mind you, I'm not advocating for Richardson - just taking up and defending the position.

No it's not. You're creating some sort of relationship between the two where there is, in fact, none. At all. If the Sabres short list goes 1. Babcock 2. Richardson, then, that's their short list. There is no other relationship or connection. YOU may have preferences, or might be able to rank the candidates based on whatever factors you choose, but the fact is that if the Sabres find it in their best interest to go hire Richardson after making a play for Babcock, then they are doing what they think is in their best interest. Anything negative is a result of chatter amongst the fans, and nothing to do with the business of bringing a championship to Buffalo.

So much for your internet sleuthing. I may have a browser open to this thread, but that doesn't mean I've actually spent 10 minutes "in" the thread. It's two pages long, WTF could I be doing in ten minutes in a two page thread?

No. The Sabres had a deal with Babcock. This is Lucy pulling the ball out before Charlie Brown could kick it. They were going for who Pegula thought would be the best coach for his team. Using your analogy, this is being told, yes, you bought the new Lamborghini, we just need to finish the paperwork, but, oops, uh-oh, this guy down the street just gave me more money...forget the deal.