That Aud Smell

oh got damn -- do you not really remember the Sabre teams of 2005-2007? (understandable, if so. ... but damn.)

I think about this as well. It's not just the absence of her role, her personality with the sports teams -- but also the toll it must take on Terry to have a spouse who's become disabled. (Please don't take that last bit the wrong way.)

A bit of a chicken and the egg analysis, imo. I believe that Pegula chose Adams precisely because he perceived the absence of such "skills" in Adams. It was those same skills, I think, that prompted the Pegulas' statement that they weren't being "heard" by Botterill. They (he) wanted someone who would be a direct expression of their (his) "vision" for the Sabres. That vision is little more than a tragic folly -- leading to nothing but waste and ruin. (Sorta sticking with the LOTR tones there.)

Thanks - sorry for misunderstanding where you're coming from. Sticking with the metaphor: Grima (Adams) doesn't cast the spell on Theoden (Pegula). Grima is just a sycophant serving at the pleasure and direction of the evil wizard who has cast that spell. In our scenario, I don't think there's a third party who has caused Pegula to me misled. Unless we're gonna get super metaphysical and identify Pegula's hubris as some sentient entity from which he needs to be liberated.

fair play, fair play. this version sounds more accurate than the one i'd adopted over time.

the lore is that Beane more wanted Darnold; that it was Pegula who caught a vibe off Allen; and that it was the owner's say-so that allowed the team to remain at 7 (?) and choose Allen. i am now legitimately ... hopeful that Jarmo is a sort of Gandalf. i also remain skeptical, since i don't think Terry can be reset to some noble leader state of mind.

to be clear: the grima wormtongue trope likens Adams to Grima. Grima is not under a spell. It is the noble king of Rohan (?) who is under the spell. And Grima is the on-site tool of an evil wizard who cast the spell. the spell leaves the king looking like this. the analogy founders because it's not as though Pegula is some noble leader whose liberation from some soul/mind control spell is all we need. adams is a grima corollary, for sure. but pegula is no theoden (sp?).

I legit chortled when I read that. [Prime Lindy voice]: THAT'S A JOKE. I've pushed that trope quite a bit. Where it founders: Pegula is not some noble king under a spell. And Jarmo isn't Gandalf - coming in to release Pegula from the hex.

Wait - what? Please to explain. Adams is just a toady for the guy who's the actual problem. Nah?

One thing this article reminded me of: Terry used to coach his son Michael in youth hockey. The guy really does think he knows puck.

Disagree with what? Maybe I was imprecise. I meant: By the time the article ended, I thought the writer was just getting geared up for a deeper dive.

There it is @PASabreFan: In a behind-the-scenes video of the Sabres’ trade deadline process, Ruff noted that the team’s culture needed to change. In that video, Pegula is on a conference call multiple times throughout the day, weighing in on decisions. That offered a view into the dynamic between Adams and Pegula, a dynamic that other potential general managers might view as a red flag. "'Any self-respecting GM who takes that job is going to say, "I have to be able to run this for you,"' said one former NHL executive. 'I know it’s your team and I have to talk to you about things, but I have to be able to build a team and make decisions. If I have to run a simple (Henri) Jokiharju for a fourth by you, what are we doing here?'" Finished the article. There's actually not much to it.** ** Meaning: This article is not as deep a dive as I thought it'd be.

is this the article where Adams' masters degree from the University of Phoenix is mentioned?

When did Adams show these mannerisms? Today? Did they put out a video? The guy’s never exhibited in-charge vibes during his entire time as GM.

That’s the whole point, for me.

NICE!

just for the lulz

Good point. We all know about Terry's fondness for the horizontal management structure. Lol. My guess is that he plans to become the GM in fairly short order.

I am stoked. Jarmo is the most qualified FO person the Sabres have had since ... Darcy?

“How is it that Diggs is making a notoriously degenerate Black celebrity look like a good guy in comparison to Diggs? Oh my effing God.”

that's a helluva gif. i thought it depicted force-feeding spaghetti until i hovered over the image and saw what its name was.