That Aud Smell

I've mostly been on the other (another?) side of this debate than you, but I will tip my hat to a robust, persuasive post when I read one.

They did do that, as an initial matter. There was a veritable flotilla of FO types, Craig Patrick among them. I'm holding out hope that they'll get this sorted, but I am pessimistic about their chances.

Not by me you're not.

I've started noodling around on Netflix during The Pause. Last week, I re-watched Eddie Murphy's "Delirious". Like many (most?) people born around when I was, I could recite entire passages of that set throughout my teens. It was a gold standard of what was funny. But, man. Save for a handful of bits, it was just not funny anymore. His magnetism and charisma are undeniable. But the material mostly does not hold up. (Even the lengthy (lengthy!) bit done in his dad's drunk voice struck me more as weird and sad than it did funny.) On the other hand, I stumbled onto Richard Pryor - Live in Concert the past few mornings on the stationary bike. And holy sh1t - THAT holds up like a motherfukcer (to borrow a phrase from the set). What a genius.

Hmm. Yeah. I'm getting there. Not quite there yet.

Now you're more describing how markets work. Stubborn things, those markets.

We're back to the Sabres being a community (collective?) asset and the owners being subject to removal by self-appointed stakeholders, huh?

Oy. Please don't strain yourself with the contortions needed to spin that reporting into something somewhat benign. Seriously. It's awful. Like: "Holy effing sh1t, that is effing awful."

I missed this initially. So, Kim flat-out told the rank and file that the needs of the sports franchises would not be allowed to diminish the family's luxury lifestyle? The worst. And not even for thinking it, not even for being guided by it -- but for effing saying it out loud to everyone. Idiots. Oh the humanity.

Worse than I would have imagined. Jeepers.

@Eleven: To your original point, stick tap for having it more right than I appreciated: “The Sabres' strong television ratings – first in the league in three of the past four years – earned them a better local broadcasting deal than half the league's 30 other teams.” (from an article in today’s online TBN.)

Market share doesn’t make a market big.

Fair point. Otoh, it is a tres modern move to diversify one’s fandom. Most kids these days, for example, are fans of all kinds of teams, at varying levels. I think something akin to that happened to Terry when he became wealthy and started hobnobbing with the Pittsburgh gliterrati.

I agree with just about everything here. My one quibble is that I think he was a (somewhat lapsed) fan who bought his favourite team. Speaking as someone who has had spells of lapsing in my fandom (especially pre-internet and nationwide coverage), I can understand how things wound up as they did.

Sorta reminiscent of the last time this team was excellent?

^ The cash flow and liquidity of an NFL franchise just isn’t comparable to that of an NHL franchise. I’m not overly worried about what PSE is doing with the Sabres right now. The NHL is almost certainly done with the current (past) season. Meanwhile, the NFL is trying to figure out how to have an upcoming season. I do wonder: Will the NFL go with Fauci’s model of having a few central locations for competition and practice, no fans, teams (with families?) housed in hotels, etc.?

Fwiw:

Happy trails, Rick. And a stick tap to @darksabre for real love and RJ’s voice being a part of his soul. Same.

Fair point to be made here about stereotypes and such. But Fat Karlos seems like a bad case with which to make it. Samesies with Travis Henry.

I would love to see the Bills grab Dillon. He's not as physically freakish as Henry, of course, but he is a frickin' truck in his own right. He's also a high-character guy, from what I've read and heard. He may end up have surprising success as a pro because, in college, he constantly ran against 8- and 9-man boxes. I like the idea of him getting just a little more time and space to get a head of steam.

It is an interesting question, for reasons already referenced upthread. Eichel has established himself as a great/elite 1C. Dahlin is still making his way and has a longer road to travel as a 1D. On balance, I think it's more important to have your stud centre than it is to have your stud d-man. But I suppose that can vary by system and style of play.

I know (or at least am pretty sure) that this isn't how you meant it, but, in my eyes, there's going to be a ton of pressure on Allen next season - no way around it. There's already a significant narrative out there that the Bills have assembled a Super Bowl caliber roster around him. The guy is going to have to take a (big) step forward. To your point, having a robust running game will enable Allen to put his very best foot forward. Perhaps we can think of the Seattle model: Run the ball a sh1t ton, and have an athletic QB who can make enough big plays when called on to do so.

Ay Chihuahua. Good stuff, both.

I'm not ready to say he's largely a finished product. He struggled with mid-range accuracy in year 1, and then came back in year 2 and improved markedly with it. So, the desire and ability to work and improve are there. What scares me more than anything is what you reference above -- the tendency for insanely poor decision making in critical moments. Even if he improves on his deep throws, etc., he will never get the Bills over the hump if he can't control his natural impulse to play hero-ball.

Maybe more than any professional league in North America, the NHL is desperate to have games, generate some gate revenues.