Cascade Youth

Year after year the NHL Draft Lottery amazes me in its awkwardness - a bunch of old white men in suits sitting on stools pinning their hopes to numbered lottery balls. I can't believe they haven't updated the format, especially this year, with everything going on in the world. It's such an incongruent display of nonsense. What's the plan for Friday night, a Zoom gallery view format?

Was it agent-driven? That’s the only reason to care.

Excuse me, maybe you weren't paying attention when they explained it? They see things that we, as fans, do not. Ok? Now shut up and open your wallet.

Accountability is much easier in a small organization - there is nobody to shift the blame to. Misspelled jerseys on alumni night? Now you’ll know exactly whose fault it is. Same thing applies to the personnel side. Funny enough, many of us were saying “burn the whole thing down” during the last two years and now we got our wish and folks are still upset. PSE was a bloated, directionless gravy train filled with cush jobs, legacy hires, and seemingly unfireable lifers. Now, at the very least, everyone knows there are actual consequences to not doing your job well. Like any other well-run business, in theory. I’m not optimistic or pessimistic but I prefer this approach to the status quo.

A prospect who can't even do a pull-up! <Ducks>

Does this make Adams = Pol Pot?

“I can’t understand what’s happening, so I’ll just blame the constant.”

Ironically, in the movie about the team you’re describing, the goalie would probably be blind. Or maybe a golden retriever. Or both!!

I don’t think “fire all the scouts” fits the internally-sourced, communicator, cost-efficient approach this hire indicates.

That got me thinking - perhaps Botterill never stopped working for Pittsburgh ?.... would explain a LOT.

Love how the official Sabres release looks like a Weight Watchers “before and after” video - not so much the difference in pounds but how they chose a photo of Adams smiling against a bright background, contrasted with the dark, brooding photo of Jason. Good stuff.

That they've been grooming him for this for a decade, he's a tireless worker, he worked his way up from nothing, he's a "people person" who brings people together, he understands all aspects of running the team because he's worked in all corners of it, he's a Local Boy, etc...

Here comes the Russ Brandon Origin Narrative.

Except one.

Who is the "they"? The Pegulas are ADDICTED to rookie GMs. They've only ever hired/retained rookie GMs. Beane worked out; the rest have been disasters.

This is good but it won't mean very much unless they seriously rebuild their talent scouting operation. They literally cannot evaluate players right now - Botterill never set up an effective pro personnel/amateur scouting operation. Not sure if that's all on him - the owners have to be willing to invest in the right resources AND move on from legacy hires who don't add value. They've done so with the Bills but that was during a more cash-rich environment (especially for the energy sector). If RaKru and Adams are relying on the same shaky information to make personnel decisions, the product may not improve very much. Still, Botts was classic "middle management" and I'm glad he's gone.

The constant attacking of the media in this country may be a sign of the looming apocalypse. It’s beyond cynical - it’s some kind of Mad Luddite Disease that is overtaking society.

Bestie Boys

MOVE THE FRANCHISE.

Folks need to vote with their pocketbooks. I feel like there are fans who come to this board to vent but then don’t think twice about shelling out money for season tickets and merch and whatnot. If you don’t like the product (or worse: don’t even care enough anymore to like or dislike it, which is where I’m at), stop flippin’ paying for it!

This franchise. THIS FRANCHISE. Is Botts gonna get to hire another head coach? Nope. Is TP gonna get to hire another GM? Yup.

The “new religion” thread is a disappointment. Turns out they’re just discussing the same old religions.

Huh.

“We”........?

Whatever. In these monotonous days, maybe we’re fortunate to have one guy (bot?) telling us all to “shut up and like it,” so that we as a community can beat the stuffing out of his message. Keeps things interesting and reaffirms the shared sense of disgust. Consensus is boring.