DarthEbriate

Note: They made the playoffs in 2011, losing to Leino and the Flyers, leading to the UFA signing of Leino. Pegula is 1-for-15. However, they have never made the playoffs in a season in which Pegula owned the team at the start of the season.

Hoping your owner wants to win at sportsball is not a strategy.

Ruff is the only lame duck coach in the league. I'd have to do some research, but I'm guessing there are very few other GMs who on the final year of their contract. It's substitute teacher season in Sabres University and the students are looking to summer already and there's no knowing what classes will be offered next year.

The real fix is the one that's least likely for this owner. You get a real NHL GM, with established connections and credibility around the league (note: this could be a multiyear AGM from a perennial contender). Then, you give that GM control of the head coach, interviewing, and hiring so that they are in lock-step of vision from day one. The coach has input but the GM has final say -- and with luck, that prevents nostalgia signings like 2 years for Geertsen who Lindy thought was good at his role 3 years ago, but has since proven to be a bottom 6 AHLer. Then, the GM uses their network and the coach uses their network to go find assistants that align to their combined vision. But the coach's input is foremost because they have to work together on the day-to-day. It's just a hockey staff; it's not rocket surgery.

Certainly. I didn't consider him as part of the core Adams was saving cash for as he's a bottom six PK guy (and good at that role, when healthy), but yes. Once you pay that player $4M you're potentially cutting corners elsewhere.

https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/7166/jerry-forton https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/3219/kevyn-adams

Kulich had a muscle injury of some sort in preseason and missed 4 practices and a game or two. He was probably going to play through it (like Dahlin did at the start of last season) and it'd be OK if he's got Norris/McLeod above him on the depth chart taking most of the ice time. Out goes Norris and now he's exposed. Definitely rest him. Quinn has no more excuses and is the most disappointing Sabre forward (even more so than Tuch or McLeod who at least have the history of performing). With Benson hurt the first three games, Quinn should've been running around like a madman to get all the ice time and cement himself as a top line wing option for Norris-Thompson or at worst the opposite wing for Tuch. Instead, he's looked as exciting as Geertsen. Rookie Quinn is MIA and if it keeps up it will be Change of Scenery Quinn -- with Adams in charge of the transaction.

True, but does Power need to be one of the five? Or, they can move one of those guys who's not worthy of the full 8 at this time for something they need that is cheaper (and then give Celebrini 10). That's one of those good problems to have. The problem that Adams saved all his boss' money for only to find... Cozens on another roster, Samuelsson and Luukkonen on the injured list, Quinn on a bridge (and still on the 3rd line), Byram on a bridge, and Peterka on another roster. Norris on IR. And still paying Skinner anyway.

Certainly, there's potential for that --- particularly if Jarmo balks at the structure/approval process. Or, if they see him as a scapegoat for negotiation failures with Peterka (or Tuch/Benson later), etc. Pegula wants to be surrounded by his yes-buddies.

Everything is proceeding as Sheevyn has foreseen. Jarmo to GM. Adams to POHO. Ruff to Senior Advisor. Appert to HC. The question then is: does Jarmo have enough clout (or just patience) to enact his vision and trades without having to simply do as Adams/Pegula want? Will he storm out Lafontaine-style or will he rebel Boterill-style and get fired for not listening? And how soon can he turn this return gig with a dysfunctional leadership into a stable, real GM job on another franchise?

He had an injury in the preseason and hasn't fully healed yet is what I've heard through Fairburn. He definitely hasn't looked as gritty as he had last year in board battles. I haven't seen him really rip a shot yet either.

San Jose can remake their blue line next offseason (3 players under contract and 1 RFA for next season). They'll have $54M available to spend. But, they watch the tape. Do they want to spend $8M on Power or use that money for other resources? Do they think Power is a D1/PP1?

They have several high-end talent players who are still young. But the issue is that they don't apply it. And it's not even the dreaded inconsistency of young players. Peterka was inconsistent until last season - this season he's gone. Quinn isn't inconsistent, he's disappeared from who he was as a rookie. Power isn't inconsistent -- he's good in transition offense, and maddeningly passive in his own zone. Benson is talented and a pest, and not playing. Byram is talented, but not a stud. In the AHL, their high-end talent is basically Helenius and Mrtka. And maybe Östlund.

This is the most likely outcome. But there's a part of me that remembers O'Reilly. If Tuch says the wrong thing or looks like he's lost the love (thus far he hasn't - he still says he wants to be here), then Terry's purse strings tighten up instantly. He traded ROR before that bonus kicked in to avoid paying him. He could flip on a proverbial dime and demand Tuch gets moved. Sadly, through 3 games, one of their best players has been in full self-preservation mode. He should be playing like mad in a contract year --- but he isn't which leads me to believe he's really isn't interested in the open market, just in getting the deal done with the Sabres. He doesn't look like he's auditioning for the league. He looks like he's settling in and waiting out the Adams Gravy Train payout.

Don't look now, but he has as many goals as the Sabres team. Doan was needed to replace Quinn. Peterka's absence could easily be managed if Benson returns to health with a vengeance and plays to his potential (entirely possible this very season).

I'm not sure you can hire another team's assistant coach in-season while under contract. There are probably some tampering issues with that. You probably could trade for them, though.

Looking at Episodes VII, VIII, and IX... uh, somehow Sheevyn returned?

Timmins was in the box. Dahlin and Byram are going to the play the rest of the period with the net empty. The only other guy is Johnson, who Ruff doesn't trust. It made sense.... at the time. Good game, 'Spacers! Love the effort. We just ran into a good team today!

Always two there are. A master and an apprentice.

Olofsson v. Power for a loose puck. No contest.

They played a good first period...

He's gone from Wedge to Biggs. We know what happened to Biggs....

I'm less worried about Dahlin's turnover than I am about the weak backcheck on the tap-in goal. But elite offensive defensemen turn the puck over. Last season: Dahlin 105 giveaways Makar 113 giveaways It's what happens after the giveaway that matters.

All too easy.

Cool. The fans can boo Dahlin when he comes back sporting a Cup and another sweater.