LTS

Coming to the site this morning I saw this BN headline on the main page. " Kim Pegula wielding unprecedented power, faces heavy lift with Bills, Sabres " For some reason this headline bugs me. What is unprecedented about this power? First of all, she's part of the ownership team already, so she had a heavy lift. It's more accurate that she's taking on increased responsibilities (rather than having delegated some of those to Brandon).

NBC marketing department trying to adopt basketball terminology to grow the game?

Definitely. Although sitting by myself was a little bit of a drag. Yeah.. dying on your couch because you ended up having a seat next to me, right? :)

This is JBOT really getting it done. Nelson probably could have jumped ship and based on what we saw from him last season he looked the part. I was pleasantly surprised to read this headline. I think it goes a long way to getting the Sabres where Jbot wants them.

Who's we? Are you involved with a distillery?

Look, it's ridiculous to dismiss her ability based on nothing more than how she ended up there. It's dangerous to assume she doesn't have the capability to do the job. She's been involved with the businesses of her husband for years. Just because she got her start the way she did does not automatically make her (or anyone for that matter) unqualified. She has the title, let's see what she does. Based on some of the thing I've read about her and some of the statements she's made in the past I think she's got a good mindset. I don't think she's going to drag out an old prop plane and replace the jacuzzi's with outboard boat motors.

Hah. I've never been down on Reinhart. I think we're going to see even more from him next year. Oh.. and I wouldn't put you on ignore, I might miss some good whiskey insight.

There is no one else in your muck. You are there alone. I said be happy he was out of the position, which was something he caused. I did not say be happy that "all of this" has happened. If you cannot tell the difference in that, then we are done conversing. I don't fail to apprehend this. He is the same PERSON throughout all of it. You have years of insight and information that the rest of us do not. I understand why you react the way you do on this. My "reality" of Russ Brandon is as a guy who did very little for an organization and provided cannon fodder for this forum. He's now been removed from his position because he engaged in an inappropriate relationship. The definition of "inappropriate" is still up in the air as far as I know. There were statements that he engaged in sexual harassment. You might have more inside information to support that, but I do not have that information. I can only react to "inapporpriate" to which I questioned... was it a relationship that by corporate policy should not occur or was it one of him exerting is influence over another employee. For the overall impact of Russ Brandon on the organization, the definition of "inappropriate" doesn't matter because regardless of the definition, he was removed. For the definition of who is Russ Brandon, it matters a great deal. He's a POS, to be certain. The question, for me, is are we adding sexual harassment to the pile or not? The bottom line is that he clearly engaged in a relationship while married... and that says a lot, to me. Clearly given the preponderance of cheating on spouses in this country it doesn't bother the general public as much. I'm about to do that too, for a long time. Starting to think that millbank was onto something. We agree 100% on this. This is why I stated I have no tolerance for those who cheat. People who can't honor their commitments are not to be trusted.

Sorry, what's your point here? I am honestly missing what you are getting at, especially with regards to what you quoted.

They had success in the regular season, they still got bounced in the first round. They are about to lose some players to free agency and they finally have to pay up on their stars. Let's see how they perform next year. Given that Colorado went from worse than the Sabres last year to being in the playoffs (granted in a weaker division) shows the kind of changes that can occur in a single season. Given that Edmonton went from "well on their way to the Stanley Cup" to "Holy hell what's rotten around here" in one season also shows how tenuous these things are. They are all teams that are on the brink of becoming perennial playoff contenders, but they aren't there yet.

These are the kinds of responses that you love to throw out there just to stir the pot. Your take on what I said is completely off the mark and 100% misrepresents what I said. Furthermore it draws conclusions that have no support in the words I used. As usual, for you. The man lost his job because of his own actions. Who else should be responsible for those actions? For Russ Brandon, I do not feel remorse. He chose his path and the resultant set of outcomes from following it. I did not discuss his family at all. For those who are impacted by his poor decisions, I have sympathy. I despise people who cheat. I have plenty of friends who have experienced it and I have seen the impact on the entire family. It's disgusting. I'm not real huge on people who have a family and then get divorced because of the impact it usually has on kids. I've come to accept that people who cannot live together actually create a worse environment for their children than being divorced but I don't like it. It's a damn insult for you to write those things in presumption about how i feel regarding his family.

Primarily addressing your response. There's can be a world of difference between sexual harassment and engaging in a relationship with a subordinate. If your assumption is that he pressed a subordinate to date him then I am in 100% agreement with the harassment application. If, on the other hand, the subordinate made it known to him that she was interested in a relationship then he's only guilty of really bad judgment (and being a jackass to his wife). Lots of us are guilty of really bad judgment and lots of us are aware of questionable ethical situations that we don't necessarily speak up about when it happens but will gladly pile on about once its in the public light. For example, I hear stories about past executive leaders at my company and some of the things that go on at the "executive retreat". It's nauseating that people would act that way (and frankly, it's along the lines of the Russ Brandon situation). Of course it's people bitching about former leaders and I always ask, if you were there, why didn't you say anything about it? I mean, if it is that big of a deal now that they are done, why is it not that big of a deal when they weren't? Of course the answer is, the desire to keep their job. I understand that, but don't get on a freaking soapbox 8 months later once they are gone. If it's wrong, it's wrong, and it says something about all of us who are aware of these kinds of things but won't speak up because we don't want to risk certain actions coming back at us. Ultimately, for all of us, it doesn't matter though. The kind of person Russ Brandon is or his actions aren't relevant to the result. It's as if there is no closure for people unless they can adequately state what kind of person he is based on unproven information. The harm Russ Brandon caused people was in his role as President of these organizations, his relationship with anyone did not cause anyone on here harm (as far as I know). So, be happy he's gone, and let it go.

I'm not sure why people are convinced Toronto is that much better off. They had a better season but are up against a lot of hard decisions. This off season and their performance next season will tell us what we need to know. Don't discount the Edmonton and Colorado effect. One of those teams was a darling to go deeper in the playoffs this year and didn't make it. The other was the laughing stock of the league and yet made the playoffs this year. I feel like Toronto needs to prove itself next year. The Sabres are literally at the point where it's nothing but up from here.

Jesus christ... this thread is bad.. I can't even imagine the Bills thread based on readings. This is one of those situations where everyone needs to leave their "jump to conclusions" mat at the door and just let the situation play out. The key here is to be happy with the bottom line, Russ Brandon is no longer involved in these organizations. Why is there a need to debate speculation? We are privy to certain information that is stated by the parties involved. There is other "innuendo" but in this day and age anyone can say anything and many people will believe it. We're losing our humanity. The guy is gone, be happy with that. If it comes out that he abused his position then judge him for that. Right now all anyone has is that he had an inappropriate relationship. That's it. I'm pretty sure the line on what is "inappropriate" will not be defined the same amongst people. Now we have people talking about Kim with no experience. At the same time people on here keep talking about how to not hire from the establishment when it comes to coaches and GMs. Stop just spewing BS to fit a narrative and stick to a principle. You don't need to wrap this crap up by midnight... just let it play out. Seriously. Russ Brandon has resigned and that's all that really matters. So many people thought he was already a POS... so if he's a POS who also harassed women does that change anything for you? If he's a POS who didn't harass them but really engaged in a relationship with a subordinate against company policy does that matter to you?

Having just looked at the front office arrangements of other teams in researching the President of Hockey Operations I would expect that Kim will be President of PSE and will have oversight of the various teams as reported. I think this does actually create an opportunity to bring in more people on the business side to be President of Business Operations for each team. I saw quite a few of those positions. I wouldn't be surprised if Botterill is granted at least Alt. Governor for now and then perhaps based on performance is given President of Hockey operations next year. Frankly, he's the President of them anyway at this point. Should be interesting to see what changes occur and frankly, if the reports are true, I think there's something to be said for having Kim as a replacement for him.

The biggest impact is when having to work the puck along the boards. After that it doesn't make much of a difference except when it comes to one-timers. At least for cross-ice passes because it's next to impossible to one-time a puck that has to go across your body. So, if you deal with picking up the puck on the boards in either zone, getting it on the back hand can cause a problem and make it harder to move. The playing catch piece of it really isn't that big of a deal as players, especially in the NHL, should be able to catch a pass on the backhand easily. In a lot of cases, if you are playing on the off hand then you put your body between a forechecker and the puck and still play it on your forehand as well. Bottom line is I think it boils down to the preference of the player, but since many players are slotted into the left or right by coaches they grow accustomed to playing one side.

Kane can certainly choose to come back here on July 1 if the Sabres wanted him back. He'll know definitively that Dahlin is coming because the Sabres will have drafted him.

I'm not sure he counts. He's got the same title as Russ Brandon does for the Sabres. In addition, the strength of the Bruins, at the moment, lies in players that pre-date Cam Neely joining the organization. Marchand, Krejci, Bergeron, Rask, and Chara were all there before he joined as VP in 2007. So, Toronto does not have a President of Hockey Operations either. I was wrong even in talking about them. Shanahan is Russ Brandon. Lou was the GM. Taking my time now to do the research I said I would, teams that have a President of Hockey Operations: Boston - no Buffalo - no Carolina - Senior VP - just announced, but they had one. Columbus - John Davidson, also he's an Alternate Governor, but he appears constrained purely to hockey operations as they have a President as well. Chicago - SVP Hockey Ops - Al MacIsaac, but Stan Bowman is SVP/GM. Seemingly peers. Colorado - no Anaheim - SVP Hockey ops - David McNab, Bob Murray is EVP and GM. Not sure how that reporting structure works out... Arizona - John Chayka is GM and President of Hockey Ops.. Detroit - no Florida - Dale Tallon, GM and President of Hockey Ops New Jersey - no NY Islanders - no Dallas - no Minnesota - Brent Flahr, Acting GM/SVP/Hockey Ops Calgary - Brian Burke is still listed. Edmonton - Peter Chiarelli - GM and President Hockey Ops Montreal - Rick Dudley, SVP HOckey Ops... (seems like that might be an open position now) Ottawa - no NY Rangers - no Philthadelphia - no Smashville - David Poile , GM, Alt. Governor, and President of Hockey ops St. Louis - Doug Armstrong- GM & President of Hockey Ops Los Angeles - no, although Luc Robitaille is President and Alt. Governor San Jose - no Tampa Bay - no Toronto - no Pittsburgh - no Washington - no Winnipeg - no Vancouver - Trevor Linden - President Hockey Operations & Alt. Governor Vegas - George McPhee - President Hockey Ops, GM, Atl. Governor It would appear that the specific hockey operations title is used in only a few instances, (Carolina, Columbus, Chicago, Anaheim, Calgary?, Montreal?, Vancouver). In other places it's combined with GM title. Brian Burke has stepped down.. we'll see if Calgary replaces him. Was it a success? Calgary has promise and questions. Montreal seemingly has lost Dudley to Carolina in what appears to be a lateral move. Will Montreal replace the position? That said,, I think we can say it wasn't a success in Montreal. Columbus - Davidson started in this role with the Blues.. moved to Columbus. He brought in the GM. it's clear how that structure works.. I wouldn't call them a failure. Chicago - not enough information on how that relationship works, but they've been successful. based on his description, he's just a guy who's been around a LONG time and has been rewarded for it.. he was drafted by the Sabres in the 12th round in 1987 (stupid random things I find in researching) Anaheim - I'm pretty sure Bob Murray has control there. McNab has 25 years with the Ducks and was an AGM but was promoted. Sounds like MacIsaac situation. Vancouver - Other than Davidson this might be the pure definition of the President of HOckey Ops going to a former player. I wouldn't say it's been bad... I wouldn't say it's been good. Clearly Benning reports to him. What does all of this mean? Bringing in a President of Hockey Ops for Buffalo would interject someone into the command structure for the team. The President of Hockey Ops should have control of the GM and since they just hired Botterill it seems like that would be a sure fire way to really cause problems. Bottom line? When they move Botterill would be the time to consider that position.. they didn't exactly hit a home-run the last time they tried it.

So, the President of Hockey Operations reports to the owner. The GM reports to the President of Hockey Operations. Who else reports to that position? I'm not even sure what teams have a President of Hockey Operations anymore. Has any team that has had one ever been successful in such a way where you could say it was because of that position? For every person who has held that title that I can remember, it seems like it was a way to pay some old-timer hockey guy or a former player to be a "consultant" and that the GM still reported to the owner. I suppose if your owner was extremely hands-off in the organization the President of Hockey Ops might have a reason to exist. It seems rare though. Without doing research I want to say St. Louis has one... is it John Davidson? That might be a viable situation there... I'm going to have to spend some precious working time today researching the situation. :)

I've never been sold on "President of Hockey Operations". It's a generic title used to pay someone to inject their mindset into the organization. The concern, for me, is whether that organization needs another mind in the room. Having too many brains trying to decide the direction is a recipe for disaster. Look at Toronto right now... they brought together a veritable all-star cast of managerial talent and now Lou is the first one out the door. My concern with bringing in ANYONE is the potential to upset the balance in the room. Ron Francis has a mindset and unless that mindset is simpatico with everyone else currently running the Sabres it really only raises the potential for in-fighting and confusion at the top. I don't think the Sabres need more people in the front office trying to figure out how to improve things, at least from a hockey operations perspective. From a business/game presentation perspective I think they need a lot of help, but that's not something Ron Francis is going to do.

Nah. It was more like they asked him to go to the AHL. He countered with an acceptance of an additional $500k salary and being the first call up if Bogosian gets injured. The Sabres agreed. He's a smart guy that Pilut.

I think at this point "phrases used in the business world" varies greatly. Even phrases used by business people in other "worlds" varies greatly. In short, there's a large segment of society that really isn't into "proper communication". There's a large segment that wouldn't understand it anyway. He could have said "We gotta get gooder and there would be a good portion of the fan base that would have said, "Right on, Bruh!"." We're that screwed as a species.

Out of curiosity.... why? Why would the Sabres need this?

Damn right. Although... I would probably laugh a bit too. I understand where you are coming from on that. For me, the contact of saliva to another player is the problem... It's certainly a fine line.

14614 is the zipcode of Blue Cross Arena. Just saying.