kas23

Trust me. Been there, done that. Horrible. Rejecting the null is hard enough. It reminds of this article I read that quoted a CERN particle physicist who was claiming particle physics proves ghosts can't exist. Geez, all the crap he current studies was believed not to exist 20-30 years ago.

True. But if you trade a pick away, you immediately guarantee there will be no future for that would've been pick. I know, the draft is a crapshoot, but 100% of people who don't buy a lottery ticket lose. These young, but established, players you want come at a hefty price. They've already burned through many RFA years and believe or not, their clock is ticking too. What happens in 5 years when they are either too expensive to keep or their skills have peaked? Who replaces them? Or are we going to "rebuild" again. While GMTM was here, he traded away 2 1st rounder and about 5 2nd rounders. It would be irresponsible to trade another away, especially given how high it is. That would be the definition of mortgaging the future. And for what? Just so we can say we made the playoffs?

Expect structure, communication, discipline, and character. Order doesn't matter.

It's extremely hard to prove something doesn't exist. Heck, it's even hard to prove something period.

It's a team game. Your best player doesn't have to be doing these things, but someone has to. It takes a collection of players where the sum is greater than its parts.

This is a great post. It reflects what we've been saying about the Sabres for the past 8 years. In reality, we have no idea when we'll actually be competing for a cup and I don't even consider making the playoffs "competing for the cup" as many teams make the playoffs. Until we become the Pens, Nashville, Caps, etc., I don't want to be mortgaging the future. Draft the player and develop him.

But that's exactly what I find wrong with this situation. Pegs is looking past those "who can build a team and organization" and favoring those who show communication, structure, character, etc. I'm not making this up. This is exactly what he said he would be looking for in his next GM. Finding the person who would the best to build a competitive team was not a criteria he publicly voiced. Why do I like Fenton over Botterill? To start, he has over double the amount of experience as an AGM than Botterill. He hasn't helped build a team by drafting a can't miss generational player, but by continuously stacking his system with talent. And he didn't have to Tank to do it. He isn't first mentioned as a cap person. Whenever we hear about Botterill, he sounds more like an executive rather than a team builder. I couldn't care less if he got an MBA from University of Michigan. Now, you tell me why you think Botterill is more qualified than Fenton. As a manager/supervisor/owner/CEO, you better be able to navigate diverse personalities, good or bad, or you will fail. It's that simple.

I'm doubtful, but I really hope Pegs knows what he is doing with this hire. Maybe we don't know much about him, but Botterill seems like a safety choice. And I really hope Fenton didn't get the job based on more than just his "abrasive" personality. Seriously, isn't Pegs able to deal with anybody but yes men?

They may very well get the axe post-draft too. If I was them, I'd be very concerned.

Yep, there is. It'll take some time for Botterill to clone every hard drive in the Pens amateur and pro scouting departments. Kidding aside, the official hires means less than him working overtime right now to get his together. Perhaps GM and HC will both be announced. Or Crybaby Crosby says "How about this nut shot, Terry: There will be no such announcement. Too soon."

I got a question. It seems like offensive defenseman are all the rage these days. Why can't you just take a defensively-minded forward with a scoring touch and call him a defenseman? Poof, there's your offensive defenseman! What is it that players like Karlsson can do that a decent defensively responsible forward couldn't do?

I think it's the Pens-Caps playoff series. The hiring of an AGM right at a critical point of the series shouldn't be a distraction to the players, but it could. They are just being respectful towards the coach and players.

I also found that comment about decreasing video time in favoring of having a coffee puzzling. Why was that aired to the public? And why at the end of the year presser? If this was an issue, why didn't ExGMTM address this back in December? Or last year? And it's even more troubling that ExGMTM finally found out about this during the players' exit interviews. I still think he was an excellent hockey guy, but something was missing. This is an article floating around the Bills board, but it's an excellent read and I think it's applicable to the Sabres: https://theringer.com/nfl-buffalo-bills-gm-doug-whaley-fired-sean-mcdermott-d87e027bae86-d87e027bae86

Pegula even fired the massage therapist? Ruthless.

I understand he's young and yes, I do want Fenton. I'm sure he's a fantastic guy, but I'm wary of a capologist running our team. We need someone who is excellent at identifying untapped talent and acquiring him via trade or draft. I'm less worried about managing the cap - we can hire an accountant for that.

Yeah, the Darcy comment was a bit much. Sorry, already had a few. Still, Botterill just doesn't do it for me. Pegs and I have difference search criteria. He wants character and structure. I want the guy most likely to build me a Cup winning team. I don't care how much of an he is. If Botterill is such a great candidate, why isn't he a GM already? His name has been out there for awhile now. I'm sure no one on here has offended you. So, be aware that if you ignore all posters who have opposing views from you, you will no longer be reading and posting on a fan message board.

Well, by Cup contender, I mean cup contender. I don't consider Toronto or Edm cup contenders although they made the playoffs. Nashville or the Caps are Cup contenders. So, I don't think we should be mortgaging the future until we get to that point. Right? I think that just with Guhle and Antipin, assuming they are not complete flops, we should be where Toronto and Edm are in about 2 years. You look at how they have been developing, they've been rebuilding longer than we have. It's not a surprise they are ahead of us. That said, I don't think anything on-ice lead to D Day. It must have been the lack of character and structure. I'm not saying we have no young players in our system, it's just that below the Sabres, there really isn't too much to get excited about. I want a steady stream of great prospects in all facets of our farm system. This is how the great teams remain competeative. That said, I think our #8 is more important than adding Brodin. I'd rather have Fowler than #8, but there's no way we get #8 for him. And I don't think #8 is going to take 5 years to turn in to something. Patience!

I'm sorry, I just can't get excited about Botteril. He seems like a high floor, low ceiling guy. I have no doubt the man is of the utmost integrity/structure/communication/character While he won't Wreck things, but likely won't make them too much better. I would rather have Darcy back.

Our pipeline is drained. Blame it on GMTM trading away our picks or Sabres raiding the cupboard, it's nearly dry. It needs some youth pumped into it and, bust or not, drafting 8 will go towards improving this. We won't be true Cup contenders next year and likely not the year after either. And it's the coach's job to maximize the young careers/contacts of guys like Jack and Sam, not via trading for other players.

Holy . That must've been an interesting conversation. Where was that?

Whoever he is, I'm sure he will be a Pegula "yes man". I don't get the sense he likes highly opinionated people that could challenge him.

My guess is they'll be fired too right after the draft. For some reason, Pegula wanted GMTM out of the building immediately.

Lombardi is not a "yes man". Would Pegula ever be able to meddle with the work of a GM who has won 2 cups in the last 5 years? Not a chance and is likely why GMTM was fired (although he didn't have the success to back up his moves). Pegula is likely going to pick a young guy who knows who the boss is (see McD). And for those clamoring for a POHO, forget it. We've had that with Patty and Pegs said he regrets that was wasn't more involved with the past GM search. At least at this point, he's not going to relinquish that power.

And we'll realize the importance of having more than 2 lines. One large barrier to that: Russ Brandon.

Speaking of short memories, don't forget his advice to Rex to schmooze Pegs with red wine and the "don't let him leave the building" comment in regards to hiring him. That's the blood of 2 failed coaches on his hands.