kas23

In essence, this is the same as trading away picks. Can’t see us doing that considering we are trying to do the exact opposite with Jack.

I’m not understanding “there must be a trade” worked out. Brisson just started less than a week ago. Doubt things would’ve changed that dramatically. Brisson is probably a smart guy though. What has likely happened is that he knows (and has made Jack realize) that there is no market for an unresolved career-threatening injury for a guy owed $50 million. This is obvious, otherwise he would’ve been traded by now. So, he told Jack to put his big boy pants on and get a procedure done. The quicker he shows that he’s not damaged goods, the quicker he will get out. Sitting on your hands hoping KA would cave was a failed mission.

I’m not sure what role agents play in trades, besides demanding one. They don’t change who is negotiating. The lawyer analogy is weak sauce because lawyers are the ones pleading cases. In our justice system, this can mean the difference between a guilty or innocent verdict. It doesn’t matter what Fish or Brisson pleads or believe. Neither of them have to live with the consequences of trading away a league star or top prospects.

Agreed. We don’t know Jack’s injury status or whether he could play right now or not. That’s not a situation that can be altered either way by changing agents though. Adams has made it abundantly clear as to what he wants back in exchange for Jack. I assume (I would like to believe) that if such an offer was in the same ballpark as the ask, the trade would have been successfully negotiated. But, it hasn’t. Instead, we are reading in the media about how Adams is asking for the sun and the moon. I hope you’re right about Brisson, but it’s a little bit too smoke and mirrors for me at this point. I hope he has the relationship or clout or some other intangible je ne sais qoi with other GMs. I doubt it’s going to change Adams mind though.

What’s the stalemate though and who is holding all the cards? There’s never been a stalemate between Fish and Adams. They both want(ed) Jack traded, maybe even to the same degree. The stalemate is between the true stakeholders, Adams and his fellow GMs. GMs are unwilling to trade fair value for an injured player and I actually agree with both sides here. I don’t see how changing agents alters this.

I don’t see it as rational. It doesn’t change Jack’s injury, nor does it change what other GMs are willing to trade for an injured player. It also doesn’t change the fact Jack is signed for another 5 years. He has no leverage, but to sit. The market has spoken - how is changing agents going to alter this? I have explained why it was irrational. Now, tell me: how was Jack’s decision rational?

Why would Jack change agents? There’s only 1 reason, he’s not satisfied with the way the (non) trade has gone. He’s so dissatisfied, Jack believed this relation was irreparable. (Sound familiar?) Changing agents isn’t going to change the situation though. Jack has no leverage. Changing agents when the likely outcome isn’t likely going to be different is not reasonable thinking. This is panicking.

OMG! Power’s never gonna sign then. Ultimate chess move Jack.

This is funny. Jack panicking.

I would as well. Surgery is forever. I think many of on here would pull a muscle if we wound up and delivered an NHL slap shot. I wonder too if he’s painless in doing so.

It depends how often they are doing imaging, which I don’t think they are doing very often. Plus, imaging is not a yes-or-no study. It’s open to radiological interpretation and/or clinical correlation. Still, even with an improved c-spine herniation, I would still want to see the player on the ice.

Low-ish. But he’s 24 years-old, so definitely not zero.

Best possible scenario for us to sell high. I would increase our asking price in the trade and let other GMs decide if Jack wants to stay a Sabre given our new demands.

March the traitor into town square and rip the badge off the bugger’s sweater.

Outside of Allen and White, the Bills drafting has been sound (ie average), but the majority of their starters were not drafted by the Bills. Most of our starting OL was drafted by other teams. Our entire starting WR corps, other teams. On defense, our 2 starting safeties, other teams. Half our DL and 1/3 of our LBs, other teams. McKenzie and our punter, other teams. Our drafting on defense has been very suspect. What does this have to do with the Sabres? If KA wants to follow the same model, he needs to be continuously looking for players to upgrade the roster. Beane is tireless in this regard. He’s always looking to upgrade positions and increase competition. The big problem with this is that NHL contracts are guaranteed. Beane can afford to sign 10 players in FA with the hopes of hitting gold on 1-2 and then cut the rest during training camp. KA can’t do this. The best he can do is give out 1 year 750k contracts.

I’m fine with that. Opposing teams are going to destroy us if they know there won’t be any retribution. If we need to take some penalties to discourage this behavior, then so be it. I’m sick of our soft team.

Would be a great idea. Teach these kids to stand up for one another.

The Bills have some of the best trainers and medical staff in the NFL. It’s evident on the field as well. It’s hard to imagine the Sabres staff is the complete opposite.

I think this is a difference in terminology. First, health is a relative term. I’m a physician who specializes in seeing patients with the disease ankylosing spondylitis, which is an inflammatory condition affecting the spine. Jack does not “need” surgery. If he did, he would’ve already had it. By all medical definitions, if he does end up having surgery (which could very well be the case) it will be a completely elective procedure. I’m not a neurosurgeon, but I’ve seen patients his age with all sorts of spinal pathology, including cervical herniations. If Jack didn’t have a $50M contract and didn’t play pro hockey, I think it’s unlikely he would have any procedure, let alone an ADR. These seem to either self-resolve or the patients don’t seem to that bothered by it. It may be a completely different story if he was older than 40 or 50. Now, I have not seen Jack’s medical record (and only a small handful of people have) nor am I a surgeon, so cannot make any further definitive statements. I don’t know if he’ll end up having surgery (it would completely solve his issue though). It’s fairly unlikely, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him on the ice at TC.

He’s obviously healthy, given he’s skating with fellow NHLers. That isn’t exactly open family skate at the local rink. Here’s the issue though. Once patients start getting disc herniations, even if they self-resolve, they are prone to recur. Even if it’s resolved now, it’s statistically likely to come back, especially for a player of high impact sport. This may be why Jack wants an ADR (a cure for that spinal level). The “trick” comment was made tongue-in-cheek, as I don’t think they’ll be tricked. But, I don’t think we can deny the psychological impact of seeing Jack in games will have. It may be a moot point though. Even if Jack wanted to show off (as he’s probably doing now), the Sabres will likely shut him down for fear of re-injury or a different injury altogether.

He may be. We really don’t know. His medical records will need to be reviewed and he’ll need a physical by the acquiring team. But, I can’t recall a physical happening before a trade, although they are always contingent on one. These are usually done after a trade has been announced, but before they are officially completed. We always hear of trades falling apart due to failed physicals, but these are after the trades have been announced.

Conservative treatment for herniated discs is observation. As of now, we really don’t know if his herniation has resolved (according to Jack, it hasn’t) but none of us have examined his medical records. We do know that Jack is already skating. And yes, skating and taking hits is different.

Although incredibly crucial, a physical is usually one of the last steps in the trading process. We’re miles from that. My point is, if he’s not skating at TC, there’s really no reason for him to even get on a plane to take a physical. It seems we have got to the point where is he isn’t going anywhere until he can show that he is healthy. He’s been trying to do this in the Boston area, but GMs aren’t biting.

He has an incredibly important reason to be on ice come training camp. He needs to show GMs he is healthy or at least trick them he is. If he doesn’t, then there’s a 0.0 chance he’ll get traded.

If Krebs, Rossi, Zegras, Lafreniere, Byfield, all 1C prospects are all off the table, then there’s only one logical thing to do. Kevyn said everyone needs to have patience and this is a long game. So, it’s time to take ***** the market. Get him back on the ice and prove to GMs he’s healthy. Tell Jack we couldn’t get anything better for him than a bag of pucks and a used jock strap, which isn’t that far from the truth.