DarthEbriate

Who had Alderaan "Complete Franchise Reset" as part of the offseason game plan?

The Sabres were good with him on the bench, and I was thinking he'd be the guy when RaKru went to the front office. Someone is going to nab him. That's a shame.

So, if teams start cancelling their contracts with video scouting services to save money, and there's no hockey for a season, how long do those companies stay afloat? And how quickly can they spin back up when junior hockey returns?

I don't like it as the last thing anyone else needs in a global recession and pandemic is to lose their job. But the scouts really won't have work to do for the foreseeable future. And it does give an opportunity to clean house and build a new scouting department later. Strictly on the bottom line, this makes sense for the next however-many-months. It's just a matter of how lean the franchise gets in the coming months. For example, does it extend to RFAs and we don't re-sign anyone for months, don't make a trade, and just wait it out. Or lose players because other teams negotiate with the RFAs. (And no one is taking Sam for 4 1st round picks.)

There is that.

Red Leader: GMKevyn! Are you sure you can handle this ship? Peggs Terrlighter: Sir! GMKevyn is the best communicator in the PSE Territories. <Red Leader appraises GMKevyn> Red Leader: You'll do all right. GMKevyn: Thank you sir, I'll try. <Red Leader thinks: He's a dead man. Seems a waste of a good X-wing.>

I heard nothing on any of these with possible exception of #3 in that GM Adams has a list, and they'll tackle it one-at-a-time but it's only been a few hours on the job. Granted, that was really a Pegula press conference and not a GM press conference.

I also think they're getting better. Eichel, Reinhart, Dahlin, and Ullmark have all gotten better as they've added some experience and Eichel in particular has raised the team up. But it hasn't impacted the standings. I do think you put ROR on this roster (and take back Sobotka and Thompson's period of hockey), and they're battling with Florida and possibly up near Toronto over the course of a season. So yes, they're steadily improving, but when those guys plateau, they need the rest of the team and franchise to be ready to be a true contender.

I think that's why like Kevyn. He's communicates in layman's terms for them. Will he still do that as GM when it's his job on the line? And he seems like a nice guy. ?

The things that might be asked in an interview process of multiple qualified candidates (and bounced off other candidates to see how they react).... Granted, I'm sure Kevyn and the Pegulas have had conversations about how he'd fix things, but still, then why aren't any of those provided --- even at a high level? Just communicate and try, try again.

Seriously, as a player, I don't really feel the need to sign a long-term extension here. The leadership is banking on a magical run on a talented young core, but there's not a foundation that would sustain that. My guess is within 3 years Adams and RaKru will also have to be moved for the next people who make the owners feel good and communicate well once these guys get burned out --- or get better opportunities elsewhere.

There was no competition or search or interview process for hiring. This is like me indiscriminately killing ISD captains after they apologize for losing the Falcon. Sure, I feel good in the short term. But, I mean, what qualifies the next person in command? <sigh>

That's just it, isn't it? And it's going to cost us fans something extra. 10 more years. All in advance.

Fake it 'til you make it?

Maybe all this lean, technology, and video talk is about a giant new widescreen jumbotron?... Maybe?

Talking technology reminds me of a good George Lucas quote: A special effect is a tool, a means of telling a story. A special effect without a story is a pretty boring thing. Technology is a tool. Technology without icing a good roster is a pretty useless thing.

I love this last interchange. Wyshynski just hanging out in his bedroom, laundry in view. Krueger in his attic, with the Mustafar lava glow uplighting of hell.

No --- all speculation. I just needed a reason to not grant him the rank of Master. ?

Interesting. Although I don't see how Adams' ability to translate hockey management to the owner qualifies him for the role of General Manager. It's like when the Emperor appointed Skywalker as a personal representative on the Jedi Council. Sure, they accepted him on the Council, but didn't assign him the role of Master. This is outrageous!

Right now, the biggest things I want to hear about from GMKev of his plans at the presser: His vision of a team (e.g. GMTM top 6 and a mean bottom 6, heavy team; or JBot fast, aggressive forechecking). Because if he wants to go back to heavy, that gives a timeline on acquiring and developing those players. I prefer fast, but of course big and fast is awesome. Or if he wants tenacity --- it means some of our less physical players need to go. etc. And that switchover leads to timelines to player acquisition. Viewpoints and plans for analytics and cap management His priorities in the next 90 days while the league is in a hybrid stasis/playoff mode (is he just assembling his crew, or is he resigning RFAs, or is he wheeling/dealing with the other lottery teams. What does he want to focus on first, knowing that there's no Sabres hockey until.... whenever. What do y'all need/want to hear?

Yeah, I chose the wrong word with handled. All those items I attribute to coaching. But he's never managed contracts, scouting, trades, etc. I hope he has a great eye for talent and has the tools put in place to continue player development. It's the player acquisition that is scariest to me. As you and @LGR4GM state: pro personnel, analytics folks are much in need. I'd add a cap guru and while we're at it, let's get our scouting department in order.

Yeah, but he was GM of Harborcenter! This is the most alarming item --- he hasn't handled AHL/NHL personnel before. He'll need experienced support. Like us 'Spacers!

You will know when you are calm... At peace... Passive. A GM uses the Ehrhoff for knowledge forwards and defense. Never for immediate response on a web forum.

He's been with the organization since 2013 and they only have one photo of him smiling on a tarmac? Does this move make Angry Larry happy?

Always two there are. A master and an A response that raises alarm and a non-response that raises alarm.