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PA, I think the answer is simple: what company doesn't want to take advantage of a financial benefit when it's there to take? Doing so keeps them in the black, and, as you implied, has the organization set up to use that benefit so whenever time comes to sell, it's more or less a turn key operation for the new owner.

I like Quick and the Kings overall, their game appeals to me. But the Blues are the underdog and I've always been a closet Blues fan, so I could swing either way. I figured this series would be "blue collar".

You won't be disappointed unless you're a staunch Kings fan. This has been all Blues so far.

Violent and fast, just the way I like my hockey. So far this Blues game is fun. And the PbP guys don't suck. Now that's what a PP goal looks like! I fear for the Kings during the intermission; Sutter looks like he's ready to kill someone.

As much as I want to see Chicago own the Wild, the game to watch is the Blues vs. Kings. Get on with it already!

He reads the board. I don't know with what frequency, but I know he does. Frankly, I would, too if I were in his position (or one like it). I think there are a lot of people here who underestimate the value of reading this board, and boards like it. As well as culling through emails, reading relevant Tweets, etc. They're not going to get all of the data they need from just doing email surveys. My fear is that the data is being misinterpreted. You can tell by their approach to handling the fans, by the content of the surveys, and other ways they "reach out and communicate". Oh well, I guess next season we'll know for sure if they're over-playing their hand with all of this. Empty seats at the beginning of the season would be a bad sign, but a bit too late to get the message.

Roby isn't muzzled. WTF. That guy believes most of what he's saying. The only muzzling comes from Brian Duff's constant, goofy interruptions. Duff turned quickly into creepy guy making Roby mad.

I question the "passion" part, with all due respect.

The fact that there are no Tweets from that account makes it highly likely it is Ted. In my estimation, of course.

Buffalo, NY - Pre-trial maneuvering continues in the so-called "meddling" trial of Sabres owner Terry Pegula. A significant step toward an actual trial was taken today after Attorney Glass C. O. Emotion stepped forward as Pegula's public defender. Emotion was unavailable for comment, but his arguments in recent cases suggest he may not be completely loyal to Pegula. In one matter in particular, Emotion lambasted Pegula's Sabres for trading former Sabres captain Jason Pominville. More that one source, all wishing to remain anonymous, are suggesting finances are the motivation for taking up Pegula's defense. Emotion pressed for time to handle discovery but was largely ignored by Judge Smell. The prosecution continues to push Judge Smell for definitive terms, specifically pertaining to "meddling" and, today, the scope of an NHL General Manager's duties. In a moment that may herald the tone of the trial, Prosecutor P.A. Sabrefan was admonished for attempting to approach the bench. Sabrefan clearly had a greasy looking manila envelope in hand as he made toward Judge Smell. In an awkward moment, while separated by Sheriff's Deputies on the floor, Judge Smell and Sabrefan engaged in what appeared to be a stare-down. There was no comment on the pending trial from Sabres President Ted Black today at the Sabres post-season press conference. Pegula has not returned calls on the matter.

You don't know the Buffalo News like I know the Buffalo News.

What makes you think Sully and Harrington are bad at their jobs? Those two, Donn Esmonde, the obituaries and the Sunday coupons are perhaps the only things that keep the readership numbers from plummeting. It's not the minions. I'm willing to bet Ted is a little more "hands on" than that.

Dude, I get your point, but you're clearly not willing to allow that I may be correct here. All I am saying is that if there is a history of back-and-forth pre-existing before a meeting, and that back-and-forth has been the opposite of positive, then it stands to reason the next meeting will be contentious regardless of the "professionalism" of the people involved. Miller is a "professional", yet he sometimes loses it. Rolston is a professional, he lost it last week. It happens.

I have to remind you that I used the word "contentious" to describe the circumstances here. That implies tension already exists. Most press conferences are not contentious to begin with. But, this one definitely was.

Haha! Then you're the guy giving the reporter the run-around. When the subject is giving the reporter the run-around, and the reporter knows it, it instantly increases the tension. Indeed, Glass may be right that Black planned it this way. It would totally fit the M.O. of the organization. Then s'plain your statement. How did Darcy come out "on top"? Really, that's how your perceive the hierarchy here? No wonder you're okay with everything.

Disagree. When you're damaged goods like Darcy is, it's hard to become even more damaged. Darcy said nothing to help his situation.

Plus, Black said Terry is Darcy and Ted's boss. Uhm, if you're unhappy with the employee, don't you generally ask to talk with their supervisor?

Okay, I've seen this statement, or something similar, one TOO many times in this thread. How many of you have actually attended a contentious press conference with the aim of getting answers to report to the public?

Or, a bridge too far. Although, I prefer a "Bridge to Far"...great 70's album title.

Clearly they're not getting the answers they're after; they're getting Forbes-style double-speak.

No, no, no. Harrington and Sully sound like your average middle-class Sabres' fan. People here want the Chet and Muffy approach to getting answers. I like sitting in the 200's, but when I'm pissed, I'm pissed...it's not just words I type on a forum to pass the time.

Then the fans sound like morons. I guess we all pick our sides.

The only problem with Sully and Harrington is they keep giving Ted Black a way out of answering why Darcy is still GM.

As much as Harrington and Sully may seem like jerks right now, they are, in fact, mirroring the OBVIOUS frustration of fans not only on this board, but throughout all of Sabreland. I am amazed that some people are forgetting yesterday's conversation on how crappy this team is and how Darcy needs to go, and what the hell is actually going on down there. Now, some people are expressing that frustration directly and you're whimping out? Utterly amazing.

I don't disagree, but as far as Ott goes, he didn't emerge as an obvious primary leader until the middle of the season. Now that he's had a taste of the real Sabres, and now that he knows he has the fans wrapped around his finger, I think he will set the tone in the room coming out of the gate and that can only benefit the team over the long haul. BTW, Ott just said on WGR that his game wouldn't change if he were named captain.