That Aud Smell

Okay. Opie then.

I'd call it a bit of hyperbole. A nice rhetorical device. What's the old saw about monkeys, infinite time, typewriters, and Hamlet? I credit not at all what Adams has done during "his" tenure. Not a whit. Blind squirrels and chestnuts? Maybe. But everything he's done, taken as a whole, has convinced me that he doesn't understand asset management, roster management, nor team building. Not at an NHL GM level anyway.

The conversation here leads me back to what I - and others - see as the franchise's best hope. If Lindy can ascend to POHO and alpha Terry the way that McDermott and Beane were apparently able to, then perhaps Lindy can get qualified people in the crucial positions and the process of rebuilding can actually begin in earnest. Because for the last 13+ years? The Sabres have been Terry's favourite toy. And he's repeatedly made a total hash of things. Keeping with the seasonal theme: Terry through his clumsiness has been creating his own Island of Misfit Toys. The first one that popped into my head looks like Ville Leino. (The Bills, meanwhile, are maybe more like his favourite movie. He mostly just watches them.)

Were you (ever) any of those things? [Awakens alarmed. Blinks strenuously. Clears throat]: "Where is that bailiff? ... @Stoner?!" I've seen this here before. It is a madness. "We gave that chimp a Chevy pickup five years ago. And yeah, he's been careening all over the eight counties of WNY ever since. But his driving qualifications must have improved over that period of time."

Prior to now, I was hard-pressed to imagine a more disqualifying resume for an NHL GM than the one that Adams had when he was hired into the role for the Sabres. But the scenario you lay out above creates an even more disqualifying CV: A guy who was totally unqualified to serve as GM, but was given the job title just the same, and thereafter acceded to serving as the buffoon owner's toady for five years. I mean holy sh1t. Talk about awful.

I honestly don't recall. I seem to recall a message in ~January 2022 about how the team didn't need to add pieces in order to make a run. And then they did not, in fact, add anyone (of note). And they missed the playoffs by a point. If memory serves.

Total delirium. So much fun. Go Bills.

I enjoyed my visit there. Same. C'mon. Spell it out for us. I struggle to maintain an accurate concept of the Sabrespace Aud Club cast of characters. I presume this is a joke. But it's also spot on.

They are unwatchable.

Great post, Cally. I've posted this before: I know the Bills are king. I mean, they're king, queen -- the whole damn royal court. And the Bills are really good right now. But there is nothing like spring in Buffalo when the Sabres are gearing up for and then on a playoff run. The weather's getting nicer. The days are getting longer. Maybe there's a party in the plaza. I get goose bumps just typing it.

I got mine from a Google image search of "Palm Tree" "Bison" I read those comments. They were bracing, for sure. Amidst this team's woes, Lindy's frank and unapologetic analysis is ... well, it's something anyway.

I've never seen a more lifeless team score 5 goals than I did on Monday. Being in arena, there was something uniquely dispiriting about them. Come ON, fellas. I'm also proud to have joined the message board's communal dissent and protest by choosing a new avatar. (I think I've only had like 2 profile pics for the entire time I've been on the board.)

or, as here, a speculative oilman who got filthy rich largely by virtue of good luck presumes he can do the same with a pro hockey team. (also, he *thinks* his business acumen and savvy are why he became a billionaire — he lacks self awareness and, as far as I can tell, any appreciable business skills.)

(It is definitely NOT the case here.)

Hmm. I did some Googling. I found a lot of articles attributing the remark to Adams - but nothing from the horse's mouth (whether a quote or a clip).

I know what I saw. The guy can play at a very high level in the world's best league. That said, I am totally baffled at what's going on with him this season.

I was in the arena last night. Monday night crowds are lighter and quieter than most. That said, I swear to God that I thought I heard more of a collective groan and scattered laughter reaction when Detroit tied it up in the third.

I wish I could find the actual "I don't want to block a prospect's path" quote from Adams. It encapsulates everything about his abject and utter failure as a GM.

Install Ruff as POHO, Terry. Do it.

I was in attendance for this one. I’ve never been less moved by a Sabres team that potted 5 (or more) goals. They play an equivocal, feckless brand of hockey. They don’t feel like “a team” at all. I don’t plan to return this season.

This is a real risk with how fandom works nowadays. Everything is everywhere. Kids will often gravitate to players, teams outside their market. Especially outside this market.

Subtly, one of the funniest things about KA's performance is that he was arguably suggesting that those players who do choose to be here are idiots.

Good to see you post. I think there must be at least some friendly calls being made to Terry from the league office. Problem being, I think, Terry probably feels burned by having trusted the league office in the past.

Rangers are apparently trading Trouba. Team reported that he won't dress tonight for roster management reasons. Destination unknown. https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-trade-rumors-jacob-trouba-out-due-to-roster-management/

Amen, Amen. I had no time or patience for the evangelical “heal, Lord, heal!” #KellyTough cult that emerged for a while several years ago.