JohnC

I have heard Granato speak warmly about Jack and express empathy for what he is going through. The coach pointed out that one of the most talented players in the world whose life and identity revolve around a game he has passion for has for an extended period of time had the game taken away from him. And he pointed out that there are no guarantees that he might ever play again or if he does return to the ice might never be the player he was because of his injury. You don't think that Jack is aware that there are risks and things might not work out as he wants it to? The harsh critics seem to forget that before he is a hockey player he is a human being who is undergoing a very challenging period of time where his life has been in many respects uprooted. It seems that Granato has a good grasp on the concept of " compassion" while many people who are looking in don't.

I'm very confident that Granato will work out how best to use Jack. Whether that is maximum minutes or a reduction of minutes this very adroit coach will work out a schedule that will most benefit the team.

He is not a locker room problem. He might not be warmly embraced or chummy with everyone in the room but that doesn't make him a malignant presence. You and the majority of contributors here have this naive misconception that locker rooms are only populated with best of friends. That idyllic view has little resemblance to the reality of locker rooms in all sports or even workplaces in general. The Buffalo Bills in their hay day were called the bickering Bills. But when it came to playing they were effective. The notion that Jack couldn't fit in or even adjust to a Granato coached team is a product of one's animus toward a player. What's happening here is that a jaundiced view of a player is influencing one's perception of how much he can help this team.

I don't deny that the organization has conclusively made a decision to move on. However, sometimes over time the situation can change.

That has absolutely nothing to do with the Jack situation! Even the team's doctor recommends a serious surgery to address his injury.

If I had a criticism of Jack it was for passing too much (most notably on PP) than shooting too much. As good as Jack was if he played on a more talented team he would even be better. The shame of this situation is that the team has the right coach and the organization is steadily upgrading the talent.

You sound like a Qanon member with a zany conspiracy theory. ☠️

Skinner, Dahlin and a slew of players were not good fits for Krueger. Under Granato that changed. As I have repeatedly said this Granato style of play is a perfect match for Jack. And that can't be denied.

You and I may be the only two inhabitants on this board who would love to see a healthy Jack back on this team. Granato's system that is predicated on speed and north/south play is an ideal fit for Jack's elite skill set. I understand the complexities of the Jack situation and how it relates to his relationship with the organization. But if there was a way to make the situation it could be tremendously beneficial for him and the organization. Some times time heals and sometimes it doesn't. Usually when people act on animus it end up being self-defeating.

If Jack was on a line that was scoring goals at a higher rate than the other lines it would have more ice time than the other lines. In the style of play that Granato emphasizes that is predicated on speed and north/south play Jack's specific talents would be a terrific fit. There are some legitimate reasons to be critical of Jack but as a player his talents and how it would benefit this team shouldn't blithely be dismissed. Don't kid yourself a healthy Jack on this still developing team would elevate this team and its ranking in the league.

Harrington noted that there were around 4000 plus fans in attendance. That is pathetic. It's gotten so bad that the Sabres didn't announce the attendance in the box score.

If you are the first person to find that person I will give you a bonus. 🤡

Does anyone know what the attendance was?

The MVP in this game was Anderson. When you have good NHL caliber of goaltending its transformative. The Sabres have played three games and nine periods. I can not recall one period in these games in which I can say the team didn't play hard. The style of play is fast, tight play and north/south play. In these three games there were few times in which they were bottled in their zone. I'm happy for Skinner scoring a goal. But more importantly he is playing responsibly and with grit. There is no more loose and floating play. Coaching makes a difference!

Hamilton well knew in advance that he was going to be asked a Jack question by the Vancouver media. He gave a candid answer. The response he gave was the same he has given on WGR on multiple occasions. Every organization in the league is aware of the situation and personalities involved in Buffalo. In this saga the book is open for everyone to see.

For a player like Jack money isn't what drives him because he has it. And if handled maturely, even if the money spigot was abruptly turned off, he would still be financially comfortable for the rest of his life if his lifestyle was reasonable. But that isn't what drives an elite player like him. Hockey is where he gets his identity. It has been the central part of his life. If that is taken away at his still young age it would be a tremendous psychological blow to him. It would be like a surgeon who lost his fingers in the wood chipping machine. His identity as a surgeon is forever gone. That is a stark/harsh reality to face. My point is that he would never at this stage of his life consider walking away from the game as a strategy to force his team to move him. There is no doubt that he wants to be moved. And there is no doubt that the organization is willing to move him if the return is acceptable. It's just that his injury situation and impasse over course of treatment is such a complicating hurdle for all parties involved to contend with. This situation will eventually be resolved. It's going to take time. It's in the best interest of the player and the Sabres that he get back on the ice.

Attached is a 12 min. WGR link with Don Granato on the Howard and Jeremy Show. It's so refreshing to listen to a coach (in any sport) who answers questions clearly and thoughtfully. In his answer about Dahlin he points out that as the team gets better he will also get better. At the end of the interview he talks about Okposo. His answer is a testament to KO's preparation and him as a player and leader. https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/authors/howard-and-jeremy

I believe that the primary reason that this duo left the show was the reduction of time on the show from a two hour to one hour show. I remember when Peters announced the change in format he was explicit in stating that he was not happy with the reduction in air time. On the YouTube clip you posted he again mentioned the reduction in time.

Just curious, how much would a regular guest on a show, such as Elliot, get for doing a show?

I'm not lamenting the time lost. I'm just pointing out that it is a major factor in getting a deal done that could help us this season. I'm not precluding the possibility that a deal can get done sooner than expected but I just don't see it happening. What it comes down to is the return. If it takes longer than expected I fine with that extended timetable.

The shame of this situation for Jack is if he would have gotten the recommended surgery a couple of months ago there would have been some clarification (not fully) about what his prognosis would be. I'm not criticizing Jack for wanting a particularly surgery. That is his prerogative. But until whatever surgery happens the situation is most likely going to be stuck in the mud.

The highlighted is exactly my point. If there is pressure it would be on a GM foolish enough to give up a lot of prime assets for a player who most likely won't play this year.

What pressure are you referring to? The nonexistent pressure that has so far resulted in no serious offers?

I have said it on previous posts and I will restate it: Any GM who gives up one of their prime prospects in their system, plus additional assets, without fully knowing what Jack's health status is should be fired for gross malpractice. I wouldn't pursue Jack in a trade until after he has whatever surgery and it is clear that he is on his way to restored health. If you review what has transpired since Jack has been placed on the market no team has been willing to give up a prime prospect for Jack. On the other side of the coin if the Sabres can't get a fair return for Jack prior or post surgery then they shouldn't deal him until his value is restored. When you have a valuable asset it would not be wise to deal it away for pennies on the dollar. In my view our GM is handling this Jack situation smartly. Don't misinterpret what I'm saying here. If a good deal can be made, even if it isn't a maximum return deal, then I would be all for it. If not, bide your time until the market changes upward.

Just maybe they learned from their past mistake? If so, it's not odd behavior so much as it is smart behavior because they have seemed to learned from their past glaring mistake.