That Aud Smell

She is, imo, the most important and influential public figure in WNY. That alone makes her health newsworthy. The family's plea to "respect our privacy" is something that is routinely requested and, I presume, granted when the person is a person of little or no public importance. That's just not the case here. She is the co-owner - and heretofore the presumed future lone owner - of the most treasured and beloved institution in the region. That makes her health newsworthy. The State and County recently approved spending $850M to directly benefit a company of which she is president. That makes her health newsworthy. I don't see this as a complicated analysis in the least. And let's be clear: Reporters aren't refraining from covering the issue, or at least attempting to cover it, because they're observing some sort of moral obligation to allow someone to keep their health a private matter. Rather, it appears that the media's not functioning in the way it's supposed to because members of that industry are averse to upsetting or offending PSE.

I’m not inviting a deep dive on journalistic ethics, but I fail to see how it is ethical from a journalistic standpoint to avoid a patently newsworthy matter because you’re concerned that covering it could harm your career. Her health and condition are newsworthy. Full stop.

HIPAA is one of the most misunderstood statutes out there.

It's been a bit over a week, and, other than that intrepid Spectrum News Reporter, no reporter has been able ... or willing ... to offer anything. I saw Tim Graham tweet to the effect that (1) he's respecting their desire for privacy and (2) doesn't want to burn any bridges ("violate professional relationships" is how he put it). I don't get it. She's a public figure. The State and County recently approved expenditures of ~$850M to benefit her company. How is her health not a news story?

...

How's Chicago apt to get to the cap floor if they part ways with both Kane and Toews this summer? They're just above it, as it is.

this is a fun thread. and i appreciate a reminder on who around here has insider connections. the one thing that i cannot get over is the wide range of values that people are suggesting for a trade to get the player for a year. my view is with those who see this as a deal that would (should) not cost a great deal - certainly not a top prospect (who suggested that the sabres offer quinn?! gah!!) and most likely not a top-12 1st rounder (but #16? maybe?).

The very few known facts, and the passage of time, are worrying for sure.

Repugnant name for the game, in retrospect. Is ***** really a filtered word here? Wth - it is. Odd. Like, people who are ***** use the word ***** to describe themselves, and, afaik, invite non-***** people to use it too. So why filter it?

Ours was fumbly wumbly.

In my experience, that guidance runs by age, not league. Did most of the damage occur before or after parents called the cops about a guy in a trench coat who was striking himself in the head with an iron skillet?

you stop. this a me problem. you're a 'Spacer legend!

yeah - i should have put a winky emoji after that line. all in good fun. I'm not sure whether I should be impressed by everyone else remembering this sort of stuff, or concerned that I don't.

imo, the jokes ain't it in this thread.

beyond question. i'm just curious as to the source. also: the extent to which certain posters are linked to inside information is something i retain almost no memory of. except for @pi2000 - i always remember that he's got insider's juice.

Brawndo is lightning fast with the scoops from Twitter, but I didn’t know him to be one of our insiders …?

Where’d you see that?

The report about the ICU was not speculation.

We are giving oxygen to at least one leak of information that the family undoubtedly wanted kept private — that she’s in an ICU. So, we’re party to that. As @PASabreFanis fond of noting: The Pegulas as owners essentially hold a beloved public institution in trust. So the question of whether one of them is in or out of the woods of ill health is going to generate incredible interest. Edited: I originally said that we were "not" party to that. Woops. (Btw, where'd the strike through font go?)

The question of ownership is as fundamental an issue as we can have around here. It appears that one of the team’s owners - the younger of the 2 by a good measure - is in some sort of mortal danger. In terms of non-hockey matters, I’d be hard pressed to think of a more relevant topic for this board. I understand their desire for privacy. Unfortunately for the Pegulas, Kim is an important, leading public figure in WNY. The matter of her health will therefore be a topic of keen public interest.

What the hell. What could the unexpected medical issues be? A stroke?

Can't complain. You?