SabresVet
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Posts posted by SabresVet
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18 hours ago, Let's Go B-Lo said:
The vast, vast majority of football revenue comes from TV rather than ticket revenue. It's part of it, but not the lions share. Hockey is different because they don't have a colossal TV deal.
I am aware. But if someone said your share of say, 520k tickets sold (8 games at ~90% capacity for Highmark) it's still 50M in revenue, and after splitting 60/40 with the opponent (last I knew this was the breakdown) it's still ~30M in revenue.
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2 hours ago, Taro T said:
He has a ton of cash coming In from the Bills & though cash flow directly from the Sabres isn't good, the new US TV contracts & the fact that the Sabres have 1 of the lowest salaries in the league helps to offset a fraction of the ticket sale reductions (which are partially offset by still holding onto Canadian ticket holders' money from 1-1/2 years ago), & significant reductions from concessions & merchandise sales.
The Pegula's took a decent hit on the Bills last year when fans largely could not attend regular season games. Same went for the Sabres, who IIRC, did not offer tickets until March and even then it was quite limited. Combined with the financial reality that the Sabres, who were already losing 40-60M per before the virus.
The upside is they can cry poor when proposing a renovation of the Key Bank Arena. I really don't have much sympathy for them at this point. Decisions made long ago have put the Sabres in this predicament and fans are finally voting with their wallets.
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1 hour ago, Buffalonill said:
You thought this team who did nothing to replace sam ,jack would get 70 points?
What do you call Vinnie Hinostroza?
😉
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29 minutes ago, Gatorman0519 said:
We are fielding an AHL level squad this year. That is not an exaggeration. It's hard to believe a team can be this badly mismanaged.
Mismanaged at the GM level and above. I don't think there's as much value in targeting Granato for the level of play from that roster. He didn't impose the spending limits or decide to let Ullmark go only to wind up with league minimum goaltending options.
Historically, the fan-base of bad teams will fix their ire on field level down to individual player. I'd like to see that change for once if the team remains entrenched in the league's basement. Adams owns this roster now.
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11 hours ago, darksabre said:
I don't think the Pegulas care at this point if it makes them look bad, the damage is done. They'll hold Jack hostage as long as they need to. This turned from a skirmish into a siege months ago and it won't be ending anytime soon. And the longer it goes on, the less newsworthy it will be when he is finally traded. He won't be around the team so that's all that matters to them I think.
I think in all things Sabres the Pegula's are focused as much on optics as they are on revenue. It's why they insisted Tage be re-signed a 3 year deal as some sort of face saving to ROR winning the Conn Smythe and hoisting the Cup. Because that trade was so badly lost it was embarrassing to their thin egos and two veterans (Berglund and Sobotka) were already long gone.
It's petty how this is all going down. And that comes from the top, not merely with Adams.
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47 minutes ago, Gatorman0519 said:
Ultimately Eichel did not want to be here. KA is repeating that mantra over and over about players “wanting to be here”. The injury was a perfect excuse to get out of town like several of the others. This is a unique situation where an established franchise needs a complete reboot.
An established franchise? 31 other teams are relatively established except the Kraken.
If you're a career-minded employee and your company is bottom quartile in their industry, should you stick around and miss out on being successful elsewhere?
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16 minutes ago, nfreeman said:
I don't know what the NFL CBA says on this issue, but it's important to remember that NFL contracts aren't guaranteed (although the stars are increasingly able to get some of their $$ guaranteed) -- so if a player has an operation that the team doesn't want him to have, the team can just cut him with no further financial obligation. That is a totally different situation from the Sabres' situation with Eichel.
I would also be pretty surprised if NFL players can get whatever medical procedures they want with no effect on their contracts.
It's definitely not a situation where NFL players have complete control over their medical treatment if they disagree with team doctors. But in light of the issues with concussions, I'm theorizing that players wanted assurance from management to seek out in a more mutual process another medical treatment.
Also recognize the contracts are indeed different and there is more flexibility for NFL teams. I still contend this gets some attention at next NHLPA-NHL CBA time.
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45 minutes ago, Curt said:
I don’t agree.
This situation with Eichel is so unique, I don’t think other guys will relate to it.
I don’t think this has really been that much of a PR beat up, or public destruction of Eichel.
Sure, whatever. If I'm a player and know that my chosen medical professionals do not matter and my health long term is in question, I'll remember which teams did what.
I will predict that at the next CBA, the players insist a new clause similar to the NFLPA's where a player can obtain surgery as was discussed late on the GR morning show today.
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Today's PC demonstrates that Adams is focused on winning a battle but has lost sight of winning the war.
For surface thinkers, Eichel is the battle. Having a playoff level hockey team is the war.
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13 hours ago, RETURNTOGLORY said:
Eichel changing agents is very telling IMHO.
My money is him staying a Sabre.
At this point the ship has sailed beyond the horizon.
I expect Brisson to take an extraordinary step in this unique situation. He wasn't hired and being paid what he is to stand idly by for his client to remain injured and off-ice for an entire season.
All I know is something's gonna happen from Jack's side.
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4 minutes ago, inkman said:
Free agency is fools gold. It’s rare a star becomes available via free agency. When they do, they almost always have a predetermined destination.
I didn't say another team's free agents.
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4 minutes ago, Curt said:
Could just say, Eichel failed his physical, so he won’t be on the active roster. The team is going to move forward with three Alternate Captains for now.
If he is going to be traded before he ever suits up for Buffalo again, then no need for the public announcement.
Destroying a person so publicly will have repercussions for this organization. This isn't as visible now, but I'll remember this day when players choose to hit UFA and/or don't re-sign here.
I fail to see how this PR attempt to beat up their now former captain helps them in the long run. Seems like Adams is focused on only this situation with Eichel regardless of the impact it has later. And a GM has to be focused on the big picture, which Adams clearly isn't concerned with.
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1 hour ago, LabattBlue said:
Just as I predicted…same old same old. 😞
And the entire NHL world is watching this unfold. Players, agents, other executives.
I can't see another top notch player wanting to come/remain here again unless they start winning. And the winning part is far off in the future if ever.
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42 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:
Listening to Granato is such a breath of fresh air. He seems direct, authentic and passionate, never trying to B.S. or make it about himself. I think he is the right guy to get through this mess.
Indeed.
Even if he maximizes the talent on that roster, it won't be enough to be better than a bottom quartile NHL franchise. A coach has a limited sphere of influence over an organization. Even the best coaches need more talent and it's a complete unknown how Adams provides that. Otherwise, Granato is set up to fail.
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7 hours ago, Thorny said:
Isn't one of @dudacek's points timeline, though? "Good or bad GM, we just can't know". Doesn't resolving issues in a reasonable timeframe matter? Let's say he's still "holding firm" 3 years from now (just to make an argument here). Is he still unjudgable? I think it's pretty clear he can't just wait indefinitely. A deal actually being conceived in a reasonable timeframe is a huge factor and I think the OP is making the point that, while not unheard of, the amount this process has dragged out has been exceptionally uncommon.
IMO, Adams has been on the clock since the day Krueger was fired. It's his show now. And just because the team isn't yet bad doesn't mean people can't see what a mess it is for at least 2021-22. The forwards especially need serious additions and Adams looked at trading Eichel to form that added talent. Without that, I fail to see where they add those players and become a playoff team.
Furtherhmore, I'm not sure the timeline is ever met (2-3 seasons) for them to reach the playoffs if Eichel isn't traded. KA didn't want to relent on the surgery...OK given the risk involved. But if Eichel is as toxic as some are making it, how do you sell at your (Adams') asking price that player to another team?
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3 hours ago, New Scotland (NS) said:
I have been very clear and upfront on my desire for the Sabres to sign him long-term.
8 x $8 or $9 will be a bargain by year 3.
I have to assume that the Sabres wanted to do the 8 year thing, but Dahlin and his agent said 'stop the bus'.
If they do not attempt to sign him to an extension at the end of year 2 I expect Dahlin to leave at the first opportunity.
They could have bought 4 UFA years here. 3 years is only very slightly better than a 4 year deal. If they could not convince him to do 8 years the Sabres should have gone for 2 years, although I don't like that much either.
I really am fearful that this will come back to bit the Sabres in the ass.
Why do you assume the Sabres wanted a long term deal? Knowing how this off-season has gone, they're not in big spending mode.
I do think it's equally likely that the player and agent are going to use these 3 years to gauge how the team improves. Especially considering his production depends on their forward depth which right now is among the worst in the NHL.
My best guess is, 3 years works for the Sabres because they're not trying to spend a lot now as the team continues to lose money. And, for the player/agent to see what changes for the better in those 3 seasons.
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1 hour ago, Gabrielor said:
Should've went shorter if he didn't want to go long.
Players and their agents expect teams to prove themselves before inking long term deals regardless of money offered.
If the Sabres are winning in the playoffs then I can see Dahlin re-signing long term. If not, well, it'll go a way Buffalo fans know all too well.
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1 hour ago, Brawndo said:
Per Darren Dreger on the Ray and Dregs Podcast Pat Brisson has made progress with Kevyn Adams regarding Jack having the Artificial Disc Replacement. Jack is seeing doctors on the West Coast it is felt that if these doctors do agree that the ADR is the way to proceed that Jack will have this procedure done.
Disagreement over surgery was reported as a major sticking point between the team and player and I'm confident other teams had concerns as well to trade for him with this injury.
Yet now, with Brisson taking Eichel as a client we're moving toward the surgery after all? And, was it not the team doctors opposed to the ADR? I'd love to know why there's a change of direction on this issue.
I'm all for Jack getting healthy and on the ice, but why could this not have happened months ago? Was that the Peter's being hard-a**es? Or, is Brisson more persuasive?
Seems like the last few months were wasted.
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4 hours ago, Thorny said:
Where do you think most of the goodwill towards Adams is coming from thus far? The last place finish? The top-to-bottom weakest current on paper NHL roster? Eichel being perceived to be frustrated/unhappy with the process seems to matter more than most other things, to a fair few.
I think much of the instant credibility assigned to Adams is just plain homerism combined with him being a new entity. He's got almost no track record leading an organization aside from being the in-effect #2 while Krueger was HC. Now, if he turned Jack into those 4 assets including top prospects then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt - for a while.
At this point, the major moves aside from naming a HC have not been made. It's hard to judge Adams until he re-signs Dahlin and trades Eichel. He's got a lot to prove.
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2 hours ago, Thorny said:
I don't need to meet the standard of "rational reasons" for my argument because the franchise has already proven they'll move 1st line centres for non.
They really, really could just want to move Jack cause they feel he's too affected by the losing.
They literally moved ROR for that reason.
I see it as Jack's tired of the losing and knew a rebuild was ahead. He didn't want to hang around for that and eat up his prime years continuing to lose.
But I also think that players know about organizations and saw the Pegula's stewardship as insufficient. Specifically, that it would not anytime soon produce a winner.
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18 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:
No one in the locker room is going to give a crap that Eichel is on IR. They will be focused on other things than a player most of them haven't played with in almost a year.
He passes the physical and plays, he ups his value. There's no evidence Pegula has balked at retention but their is evidence that Adams would prefer not to retain things for 5 years which makes a lot of sense.
Lol wait out Adams? What's Brisson going to do, sit around for the next 5 years? Adams has all the cards and I love ppl trying to argue the opposite. If the opposite were true, Eichel would have been traded. Adams set the price and jack stays unless that price is met. Brisson can either get his client healthy or work his connections to get the Sabres their asking price.
I love how everyone seems to assume it is Brisson versus Adams instead of Brisson + Adams versus the league here. If they combine together they can then use their new leverage to get a fair offer and get Eichel traded. Makes more sense than Brisson fighting Adams.
You think Adams has all the cards? How do you know the agent is boxed in and has no room to maneuver? Or, that Brisson, who just picked up a big client very unhappy with his team's management, will help said team? You've got to be kidding.
This is a negotiation not a party dude. Brisson doesn't care what the return Buffalo receives back.
I'm not predicting what this agent will do, only that something will happen where pressure is placed on the organization. Or, they'll come to some agreement that moves them out of the current stalemate.
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27 minutes ago, Doohickie said:
What does that look like? Jack playing for the Sabres? Sure, okay.
I wouldn't approach this with a conventional mindset. There are untold variables that can change to drive a new result.
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16 hours ago, Pimlach said:
Agree. Fish may have been goading Adams to trade fast and take what he can. It didn’t work. Let’s hope that Adams and Karmanos have the credibility and trust from TP to keep him out of it.
It is still going to be difficult to find market value for a guy that is paid like a superstar but is injured with no simple path forward. Either Jack will have to play for us again to prove he can, or another team takes him now/soon and the risk gets covered with trade conditions.
Some items to consider. If this drags into camp, Eichel shows, fails the physical and goes on IR. It'll be a topic of conversation hovering over the organization regardless. That's not what a youthful team that is going to hang out near the bottom of the standings wants as a distraction
Or, if he shows, what if he passes the physical and begins playing...does a team losing money and sure to do more of that in 2021-22 want that contract? Pegula has reportedly balked at retaining any of Jack's salary, so I could see that hastening a move if this goes to camp.
Brisson can wait out Adams as well. He's the biggest agent in the NHL and I'm pretty sure he can play hardball too.
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26 minutes ago, dudacek said:
This seems myopic.
Brisson is just as likely to improve Eichel’s return as he is to back Adams into some kind of corner.
You are entitled to think what you want, but the change in representation is about getting desired results for the new client.
People here are speculating the situation remains status quo and praising the GM for that. I wouldn't be so quick to believe things won't change....whether that benefits the Sabres or not.
Per The Athletic Sabres Season Tickets Sales are estimated at less than 6,500
in The Aud Club
Posted
I will take back my contention given that, according to the BN, they lost about 11M in 2019-20. Don't see losses surpassing that level for previous season.
https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/sabres-lost-10-9-million-value-dropped-in-2020-according-to-forbes/article_9e2c7828-3a3b-11eb-b9e4-17ec3fa4b12d.html