JohnC

I don’t want to deviate from the topic relating to his generosity however how much different would it have been if he continued to be the owner instead of selling it to Terry P?

They deserved Fs instead of Ds in the individual categories. The grades were higher than I would have given.

This grading is an example of grade inflation. When you fail for a generation and continue to do what you have been doing then you have demonstrated your obtuseness and magnified it with the character flaw of stubbornness.

Adding to what the government can do is better than not adding to it. The scale of Mr. G’s contributions in a number of different formats makes a difference to a lot of people’s lives.

Whether there is a progressive or regressive tax system billionaire philanthropy does wonderful deeds that goes beyond what the government can do.

This clip is a good metaphor for the state of affairs of this forsaken organization. You got to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

You really can't calculate the generational good in helping kids and families with his generous charitable contribution. People with great wealth can spend their money the way they want. That's their prerogative. He's taken a portion of his wealth and put it to good use. It's a testament to his generosity. He's a self-made man who has given back. Whether he is personally liked or not is irrelevant. What is relevant is that he should be respected for his good deeds.

Your description using words such as “rumblings” and “rumors” is a fairer representation than using the stronger word such as “report”. On the other hand, KA has stated/acknowledged on the radio that Buffalo is not an appealing destination for many players because of its perceived reputation. He then stated that the only way to change that perception is to win more.

Wasn't it reported or at least rumored that Ruff had replacements under consideration for Wilford but the option/s declined?

With respect to counting on UPL, I agree with you that the GM is taking a big gamble. Not adequately addressing the most important position has put this team in a vulnerable position. To make things worse, he never has had an adequate backup plan if things didn’t work as he wanted to. I hope that UPL can re-establish his game. But I can’t say that I’m confident about him.

The top line with Tage at center with two experienced and rugged wingers should be able to win their matchups.

How about moving Tage back to the 1C and Norris to the 2C? A Zucker/Tage/Tuch would make for an experienced and sizeable top line. Or a Benson/Tage/Tuch on the top line? My hope is that Quinn makes the leap forward and earns a role on the second line with Norris centering it. This is going to be an interesting camp to see how the lines get formed. I prefer to see McCleod as a 3C and with the ability to move up the lines when needed. I think most people agree with you that UPL's play is the most important issue entering the season.

I don’t care if specifically Mitts is added to this roster. As I have stated on a number of posts is that I wished that the GM would have added another second-line forward to the mix. @Taro T mentioned a couple of players that would be appealing. So far, that hasn’t happened. I find that disappointing.

How about players competing for positions and roles? If he is outplayed then his role is diminished. If he outplays players then he earns his spot. Who he displaces or doesn’t displace should be predicated on his play. I’m not bothered by internal competition because I see it as a good thing.

Adding a player like Mitts also has residual benefits due to his versatility as a center and wing. And as I stated in the prior post he has the ability to move up the lines when needed due to injuries or just to shake up the lines. Another benefit is that he would be useful on the second PP unit as a setup player. I don’t want to get fixated on Mitts as the player to provide more flexibility to the roster. If another player could provide the same utility to our current roster I would be receptive to it. And if the cost would be a second round pick, I would find that to be a good deal.

I’m not attempting to overrate his talent. But for me there is a simple metric: are the Sabres better with him, even in the short term, than without him? If he can be added for a draft pick that isn’t a first round pick, then I’m open to adding him. In this discussion I’m not looking at this topic from a big picture perspective. The issue is reduced to whether one thinks the team will be immediately better or not. I believe so.

When Tage was hurt Mitts moved up to centering the first line. The line continued to play at a high level. Is he a genuine first line center talent? Clearly not. But he has played as a second line center and at wing for us and played credibly. Even if he played at the 3C spot I would have no reluctance to bring him in if it was for a 2nd round pick. However, as others have said, a first round pick would be too pricey.

My point is simply that when you draft or acquire a more finesse oriented player, then that is what you get. We're not disagreeing here.

As you describe Ruff's authority, or lack of it, is a demonstration why this Pegula hockey organization is a failed organization that is structured in an unusual way. If Ruff doesn't have the authority to hire his staff at this point, then this organization deviates from how a normal franchise operates. It's ridiculous.

Players have different skill sets and style of play. Power and Samuelsson are not thumpers and rugged players. That's not their game and never has been. I would also say the same thing about Byram from a stylistic standpoint. The choice is you either get different players or adapt your defensive approach to their assets and not their liabilities. I, like you, am not familiar with Kesserling's play. What I do know is that when he filled in as a second-pairing defenseman as an injury replacement, he played well. If he ends up as the partner for Power, then Samuelsson most likely will move down to the third-pair. The makeup of the unit could end up being Byrum/Dahlin, Power/Kesserling and Samuelsson/Timmons. I consider that a respectable unit.

I agree that a first round pick would be too much for Mitts. However, if it was a second round pick, I would do it. I just think that our GM could have been more aggressive in adding a second line forward to the mix to create more flexibility to the lines.

What are you talking about? Profiling? Odd thing to say.

This is Ruff’s staff. If the owner is not allowing him to hire the staff he wants, then he took the job under conditions that most HCs wouldn’t accept. When he first took-over he inherited the staff. This is a new year. This is his staff. If there are problems within the staff, then it is his responsibility to address. If you believe that the Sabres are a well coached team, I’m confident that it is a minority view.

The coaching staff is Ruff’s staff. He inherited them when he first took over but kept them on the following season. Again, this is his staff!

Are you including Ruff in your assessment of the staff? And if you believe that Ruff is satisfied with the staff because he made no changes to the group, then isn't he the most culpable for its mediocre performance? And as you pointedly note, the same shiiiit goes on game after game. Well, if the HC is tolerating the sub-par staffing performance, then shouldn't he be held most responsible for the coaching inadequacies? What's apparent to everyone is that the ownership is third rate, the GM is third rate and the coaching staff is third rate. That's not a recipe for success!