Pimlach

Pegula hired McD. MCD recommended Beane to Pegula. Both report direct to Terry. Pegula was forced to replace Russ Brandon and he wanted to get rid of Whaley too, but he needed Whaley to help him hire a coach and to survive the draft. Pegula liked McD when he meet him the first time - which was the interview session that led to Rex. It was Brandon that talked him into Rex. If Brandon did not get into trouble with the young ladies on his staff, which was appalling to Kim, he mighty still be around and screwing up the Bills for Terry. The NHL shares lists of top coaching candidates, which included McD, - they do this not only to help diversity candidates, but also to help keep the league competitive. They do not want failing dead franchises. McD ran the first draft with Whaley. He helped clean house, he set out to change the culture, and he advised Pegula to hire his friend in NC, Brandon Beane, as the next GM. Beane was already known as top GM candidates. Pegula was able to get Beane after the draft. Beane and McD have had the right personalities to keep Terry happy and out of the way. Beane and McD got results quickly, so Terry backed away and was happy to let Kim run both Teams as "President and Owner". This suggests that if his team has competent leadership, Terry would be more likely to stand back, especially if he has Kim keeping an eye on it. Another plus for the NFL was the embracing of Kim. The NFL is all about diversity and Kim got to contribute at the league level in meaningful ways - nothing like this happens in the NHL, which is the last bastion of "good ol' boys". Kim running the Sabres did not help anything. But Kevyn Adams is at least well liked, a smart young buck that impressed them in past assignments. He took over for Boterill and did the most recent rebuild. He inherited Granato from Krueger, and he did not do much of coaching search when he decided to stick with DG. If Adams is smart, he will realize that DG has peaked and look for someone that has NHL pedigree to get to the next step - playoffs. Brind'Amour would be great. But Buffalo is a hard sell. B'A is a Hurricane deep inside. They would have to really overpay to get him and then B'A would certainly demand some control of the roster. Waiting for B'A to turn us down could cause them to miss on Berube, or others.

This is really said. The Boos after each period were painful, but well deserved. Fire Donny chants are sad, but probably what is needed to wake up Pegula. But I will go on record to blame this once gain on the Big Boss and his minion Kevyn Adams. Tomorrow will likely be the bottom. The place will be 75% Leaves fans. The Sabres players can either play for each other and their coach, or they will once again get killed on home ice. Another embarrassment will certainly force some change.

People here call coaches like Tochet and Torts dinosaurs. Most Buffalo fans want their style of hockey though. Hard work is always appreciated. It’s easy to see when it’s not there. Right now, this team is not working hard. They already quit on each other, now they are quitting on DG.

If I am the HC I don’t want Granato in Rochester. I want a coach in Rochester that teaches my system, my way. There is no system today under Granato. The Granato system is to allow talented players to free lance and create scoring chances. It’s a system for All Star teams, not normal league teams. Some nights it works, especially when you have more talent than they do, but most nights it doesn’t, especially now because everyone knows what to do to slow it down. HUGE RED FLAG - you don’t teach offense one year, defense the next year. Hockey is not played like that. When I heard that I was shocked. Granato reached his peak last season. It’s time to move on, but not hastily. Stick someone in there now just to hold down the fort, this season is toast. The problem in Buffalo is massive and should be addressed in the off season. There needs to be a major coaching search. There are experienced coaches out there that can help them take the next step - playoffs. The new coach will need to have a say on the roster construction for that to happen. The biggest problem is Pegula. No one wants to work for him, or be under his stupid constraints. He set the tone for how he would work within NHL circles. First brag, then throw money around recklessly, scoff at his contemporaries, and then publicly tank and tear down a franchise. He is considered a complete joke in the hockey world. It will be very hard to ever get this on track because of him. His fastest move out if this mess is to keep Adams, take off the shackles, and instruct him to hire experienced NHL coaches. Try to improve that way first (rather than another rebuild). There is no good GM candidate out there that will work for Terry. Forget that idea for now. Hire an experienced HC and give him control of the NHL roster construction. Some HC have GM like responsibilities, it is not unheard of.. They should already be talking to Berube and he is probably going to want a say in the roster construction.

He should not finish the season. But the Pegula $hit show just keeps giving.

She worked nothing of that sort. The NHL is nothing like the NFL. The NFL is a league win resources, that tries to not have dead franchises.

No. Of course not. But lose to the Leaves like that and someone has to go. But won’t. DG will finish the season, hopefully then he gets a merciful ending, and he will learn that putting in defense hurts offense.

No one is getting fired tomorrow. But after the Leaves game, who knows?

No. Fire Adams and hire a real GM. Let him figure it out who to keep from there. That won’t happen because Terry doesn’t know any real GMs. He is not connected to the NHL in that way.

The scored on the first shot and still didn’t get going. They lost the period 3-1, at home.

8 goals given up at home to the last place team in the Conference. Well, last place for now.

Tuch that was terrible defense.

DC ?

Your out Spooner. You’re a fine lawyer, but not a wartime Consigliere.

Power and Joker are -4, Ryan Johnson watching from the press box.

Not gonna happen. Accountability = 0

Hey!. They only need 5 to tie. Don’t go !!

Kyle starts the comeback.

That would be twice if he is hurt again.

Tage busted up the thumb again? Looked bad.

Another shot, another goal. They are doing to us what we did to them last year. Tage had what? 5 goals? Tonight he is -2 and invisible.

Granato finally changes a goalie to turn momentum. The team plays the same lazy way, Columbus scores on the first shot. Translation - they don’t listen to Don anymore. Tage and Tuch aren’t listening, that’s for sure.

Columbus playing a great road game this period. Cut off the neutral zone entries. Forcing Buffalo to play defense, which they can’t do.

The midterm report card is miserable. This is with Adams trying to win.