SabresVet

It never fails to amaze me how little people know about mental health, particularly mood disorders like manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder). If people did some research, they'd know that people with the illness commonly self medicate through excessive drinking and drug use. They'd also know that a chemical imbalance of certain neurotransmitters is the issue, and until diagnosis and treatment are determined, these people live in their own circle of hell. That, people with this illness act out and can experience mood episodes that make no sense. Sometimes they have unlimited energy and make bad decisions...or are hopelessly depressed for no apparent reason. And anyone who has first-hand experience with these and other mental health issues would know have more sympathy for people. I don't care about Lehner or his time in Buffalo anymore. But anyone who attacks someone that's been diagnosed with this horrible illness is clueless and doesn't know what the heck they're talking about.

This is pie in the sky fantasy stuff. He hasn't shown the hockey IQ to remain here and his main qualification is that the Pegula's were embarrassed by the ROR trade.

Under Krueger they scored 2.14 and allowed 2.79. 12 of his 28 games coached Ullmark started Under Granato it was 2.79 and 3.64. Ullmark started in 8 of those 28 games. (Adams coached at least one of those games) Lot of pressure to put on the three young players they're banking on at forward. Mittelstadt scored at 0.54 ppg in 41 games, Thompson at 0.37 ppg in 38 games, and Cozens was 0.32 in 41 games. They'll need tremendous improvement from all 3 and I cannot see that happening - at least not this season.

I'm still not seeing where the goals are coming given they 29th at 2.46 per game with Reinhart's 25 last season. That's 18% of your goals scored out the door and replaced with replacement level players like Hinostroza and MacInnis. Sure, the younger players could improve but that's always the mantra for rebuilding teams. Realistically, there are just too many if's and hopefully's this year to have it all come together, notably with the forward group. Now, if Jack gets dealt for serious NHL ready pieces, this can change. I'm not banking on that either.

They were 3-7 in their final 10 and were -15 in goal differential. Not sure that should be considered "fun." This same retort showed up for years with the Bills when they had 5 GMs from 2001-2016 and all of them were connected to the Ralph Wilson owner years. When ownership doesn't know what they're doing and/or interferes regularly, you more often than not get bad hires. Not surprisingly, the strategy revolves around catching lightning in a bottle with someone. Regardless of what the homers believe, Adams is the "we knew him" hire who has to prove himself. Same goes for Granato. 2021-22 is effectively year 0 of the rebuild...tear down, move out players they don't like, and generally lose on the ice. 2022-23 is gonna be where you need to see results and, given the "win now" mentality in pro sports, some wins and competing for a playoff spot. If they're bottom 8 in the standings in 2022-23, this rebuild is not looking good.

Buffalo will survive, but whether they ever climb out of the NHL's basement is debatable. People are already concluding that Adams and Granato will be successful, but there are serious questions about both of them. Adams has zero experience as an NHL GM and Granato is new to his role. For that reason, no one should assume they'll get it right. Tearing down the roster will be easy compared to rebuilding and that's not started yet. If this team does not win by the end of year 2, the Sabres will remain under minimal budgets in players and front office.

Good money isn't enough. Not in the NFL, not in other corporations, nowhere. With a good team on the field, I'm guessing the Pegula's would see PSL's as a essential AND taxpayer funding. They're in a business and everyone knows you never spend your own money if you don't have to. In this case, they'll work the system force someone else to shoulder as much of the burden as they can.

Billionaires are taking over the world. It's human nature for some people to want to rule the majority, i.e. the middle class.

Most people realize the US has an infrastructure problem (the roads and bridges kind) with upgrades needed soon. Especially in metro areas where traffic has surged in the past 50 years. This may come as a surprise to many, but the Federal/State/local governments don't have enough money for everything. I'm quite confident the Pegula's won't receive 100% of financing for their two team locations, but any spending on these endeavors comes at the expense of something else. The question is: which areas should be cut so that the Pegula's can continue making 8-9 figure profits? That is, unless you're willing to pay higher taxes for entertainment.

Then take out a mortgage like loan and do it yourself. Public financing for something that benefits so few is asinine. And the NYS budget has risen almost 23% over the past 2-3 years.

Too soon to tell on Adams with Buffalo's rebuild still in the tear down stage until Eichel is traded. That's the easy part compared to managing a roster from the bottom of the standings to one competing for a playoff spot and winning playoff series. Also interested in who on the current roster is re-signed long term (3 years or more) like Dahlin, how his draft picks fare, and where they are by the end of year 2. That's a suitable time to assess him.

I have a hard time not seeing Friedman do this sort of podcast without having some motivation from Eichel's camp or potential teams he could land with. Especially with it dropping less than 12 hours after the agents' letter was released. No one looks good right now.

It would not surprise me if the player and agent want something short term to see where this franchise is going. I had thought 2 yrs 12M.

Haven't heard the term "box-out" this much since I played HS basketball

Or, they had serious depth concerns with the Amerks. Issue I have with that is, the AHL team seemed to be more of a priority than building the parent club. Signings like Malone, Davidson, Schuldt, Prow, Dell, and perhaps Hayden. Problem with this is KA and team haven't sold fans on this need. All they've got is this "players who want to be mantra." Sure, the maligning of Eichel is happening, but I don't think it's having the desired effect. The Sabres aren't good at PR. Moves these past few season in hockey and business ops indicate they just eliminate people without much cause aside from cost-cutting.

Couldn't resist.

And you'll see the first Owner/GM in the league because no one would take that job. Sorta kidding.

What will be interesting to watch is whether you can say that mid-season if they're a dumpster fire. Not all rebuilds are created equally. Key is, does ownership empower their hand-picked GM to make the moves necessary or do they retreat into self-imposed issues if there's signs of life next season. I'm not saying you're spending on UFAs, but re-signing those who prove they're integral to future winning.

With Eichel and the higher priced players the Pegula's were losing money as fans stopped going to watch a bad team. If this team doesn't get off the ground soon and start winning the financial losses will ensure. I'm confident Terry will keep payroll down as a result. Bills fans here watched the team be a feeder for the rest of the league. The only thing that broke the cycle was an owner who hired good managers and spent. Lot easier to do in the NFL when you get a massive revenue sharing check every year and finally found competent leadership. Do not see that happening with the Sabres right now.

I shoulda noted being sarcastic there. Sorry.

People forget about Dustin Tokarski so quickly.

And it needs a stadium along with a big contract for their elite QB. Hard to believe the Bills have a QB who is among the best at his position. Thankfully.

Ownership are big fans of the movie 'Hoosiers' where they have to play a man short.

They come off as more disconnected from the Sabres each year, unless it's financial of course. I don't know how that's possible, but it's clear now.

As we used to say in the Army..."embrace the suck."