That Aud Smell

I agree that Eichel at his best is a top-10 (I’d venture top ... 6?) centre in the league, the world. I also agree that trading him would result in the Sabres getting bad value for an elite player. All that said: I’ve been hearing more lately about how Eichel’s intangibles are lacking (i.e., that he’s just too much of a self centered Masshole to be a proper leader (hence why the team brought in an Eric Staal to help mentor Cozens)). It’s possible that the team is going to have to move on from Eichel in order to rebuild, which would suck. One reason I don’t really buy the narrative: A better leader isn’t going to get a roster of plugs to be a winning team. You need a better roster of players, and a competent coach.

There’s a more charitable reading of that phrasing (they could also call Kim “our owner”) — but the reading that you note is the most reasonable. Poor choice of words there.

Oooh. T.hat might be it? Good eye.

dis dat dat is fun.

Ha! That's not quite apt, but I'll allow it. Fair play. And I think there's something to what you say. In that moment, I would imagine that Gensler (sp?) was sitting there with his eyes widening, thinking "WTF are you saying?!", then the moment had passed, and he was still processing the sh1t that had been spewed. Along those lines, I think the "... ok" was from a guy whose mind was reeling a bit. I am not sure it speaks volumes. I do wonder: Did the show continue from there? Was there a chance to circle back and acknowledge what had been said in the context of that program, and apologize? That may be where Gensler really missed.

I don't think I've ever laughed harder at the arena (or Aud) than when the crowds took to booing Nicholas Picholas mercilessly, and for reasons that were never entirely clear (to me). This is why I don't feel all that badly for the guy who made the remarks. He knew it was wrong to talk (think) that way. But he proceeded anyway. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Rob. No. No, man. That's not right. Let's leave that there. Just, no."

Welp. One franchise is part of a league that fairly prints money. The other ... not so much.

Why?

Nah. Nope. Allen’s been anointed. Did you miss the ceremony?

Glad to see this. I'm hoping he's feeling right grand.

[John Lennon counterpoint backing vocal voice]: It couldn't get much worse.

as good a place as any for this cross-post.

maybe can we cross-post the mendola thing in another thread? one having to do with the Sabres FO being a constant sh1t show.

We're getting into week to week territory. In the NHL, gone are the days of a presumed quick turnaround on TBI's - and good riddance to those days. The NFL? That's another story. And an ongoing (bad) joke.

Beane said today that he fully expects this to be a 1-year reset deal.

I like it. It's Super Bowl or bust. And having a good QB2 is an important insurance policy.

From all accounts, he was key to helping Allen develop. So, hat tip for that.

I laid out above why I think your assessment on the Pegulas merely signing off on anyone's recommendation is incorrect. If past is prelude (and I think it is), KA will lead the effort, do the leg work, and the Pegulas will be at the table with an active role in reaching a consensus.

I don't have a feeling on that, one way or another. I can barely keep track of the Pegulas' doings.

I'm no longer sure what position(s) @nfreeman is trying to defend on this subject, and, really, why he's so dug in.

Probably Zemgus. That awesome Latvian rap song in his honour is unforgettable.

I posted my thoughts on that upthread. I think KA, and maybe some others (?), will do some initial fact-finding and winnowing. I think that KA will then speak with the Pegulas about a slate of ~4-6 candidates - present what's known about them, pros, cons. And I think that the 3 of them - and maybe someone else (?) - will conduct the interviews with the candidates, and that they will then reach a consensus on who the next coach should be. And I think my theory is in-line with what we know.

I was speaking to another point you made - that the Pegulas would be happily signing off on a recommendation from KA.

I just don't know where you draw that from. An inference, maybe. But I don't think it's the best inference to make based on what we know, what we've heard and read. PSE has flat C-level management structures. Those involved build consensus on key decisions, and move forward with it. I don't get the sense, at all, that KA will be making recommendations and asking the Pegulas to sign off.

I don't have time to dig, but that is very much not my sense of what the Pegulas have said their process is. Hell, Terry was intimately involved with the process of identifying Josh Allen as the QB1. Now, maybe he's just there along for the ride, getting a feeling for things, but he was there on the ground level. Also: Quote machine. Lol.