That Aud Smell

As can I. But I've never heard anything to the effect that JBOT had a sweeter deal in December (or whenever) and passed on it in hopes of getting an even better return.

I didn't listen to that give and take, but I think the denial of ownership's involvement was intended to tamp down any theory that the Pegulas wanted the guy gone because he was trouble. That the guy was traded for hockey reasons alone -- that he wasn't part of the team's future plans for hockey reasons.

GMs low-balled JBOT? JBOT got played? Is the idea that there was some sort of conspiracy afoot? I know I said it already, but I literally can't fathom the thought process that ends in these takes. This may be a function of my limited imagination, or just some cognitive road block in my brain. But I just don't get it. There was an "open" market among 30 buyers (I qualify "open" because 30 is a pretty small market.) That market had supply and demand, and yielded a price. Forgot about that one. I attended a game in a group of four earlier this season (JESUS, I've been to too many games), and there was a guy with us who I didn't know who's coached at a variety of non-college/non-major-junior levels for going on 25 years. He's a Red Wings fan, but lives just over the border so he has seasons to the Sabres. Anyway - that was the word he used for Kane, and, I think, well before Falk reportedly did. It struck me how he didn't say it with any bitterness -- just very matter of fact.

That sounds more accurate.

Neither more nor less likely. The real answer to this one: A sum equal to the number of dogs that live in London.

For sure. Geoff Kelly (Kelley?) and his crew sold to Parlato because they were insolvent. They reformed as The Public.

Oh, man - sorry for the traumatic experience. In my experience, general anesthesia is preceded by an IV “cocktail” that makes application of the general, if by a mask, an easy process.

Haha - you funny.

I am unclear on this. Where's Flagg with a comprehensive post on the subject?

Right. I just don't understand, at a fundamental level, how it could follow that you're a pushover if you make the best deal available to you, even if it's underwhelming or disappointing. It's the role of the expiring contract and the reality that the player's not returning that are at the root of my confusion. This is not really akin to a situation where Seller holds an asset (say, a piece of real property) and sells too cheaply. After deadline day, Kane was effectively worthless (or even a net negative) to this franchise. I understand the gripe that JBOTS waited too long, but also recognize that we just don't know whether there were better offers being made in December, etc. I tend to doubt it. Far more likely that suitors were waiting for other dominoes to fall before settling on Kane. It's a sports message board, boss. Everything's an opinion. Or, in more modern parlance, a take. I don't think things would be improved if we were to add "IMO" to every assertion made.

For the life of me, I don't understand this line of thinking. As in, there are positions people take here that I understand, but disagree with. Even vehemently. This one, I just don't understand. Cannot get my head wrapped around it.

Oh, man. When you put it that way. Fair. Also fair. My take is to shrug my shoulders and think that it's likely that there are probably a few GMs out there for whom the matter of Kane's race played a role (probably unwittingly) in their aversion to him. Fair question. O'Regan (sp?) is a bit long in the tooth, but he seems like a guy who has a better than 50-50 shot at becoming a good bottom-6 forward/role player. Which is not exciting, I admit.

Well, I think that's just wrong. The manner in which the other objective factors get evaluated and weighed can be influenced by racism. That's not to say it happens all the time, or even happened here. But it's naive to say it doesn't happen. The problem being: It's difficult to tease out when and where it happens. Maybe it's semantics. That term is a virtual molotov cocktail, to me. #triggered Okay - well, it is tricky to follow the bouncing ball on the last on, first off report. In any case, I don't really need the last on, first off story to confirm my take on Kane's hockey IQ and ability to devote attention to details. That report, if true, is consistent with my understanding. Low hockey IQ seems particularly apt for Kane because his physical skill set is so remarkable, and his effort generally so consistent, that the absence of a decent hockey IQ becomes that much more glaring. I'm not sure about Scandella. Girgensons? Makes total sense. He seemed like he could become a decent middle 6 forward when he played for a coach who wanted him to do nothing except skate through brick walls. Thing is: Girgensons isn't nearly the talent that Kane is, so the fact that he lacks hockey IQ isn't as jarring to watch. Another good take, even if this gave me a sad. I've got my eyes peeled for your content, JAH.

This is as tired a trope as the one you're decrying. BOOM. How about we NOT allow that into the vernacular around here. "POS" is a nasty term that should be reserved for actual PsOS. No one who posts here regularly is a POS, as far as I can tell. Qwk lobbed a "POS at the mod(s) it in a post that appeared to have been made while he was under the influence of something -- alcohol or maybe just a dark humour. Let's nip that right here, please.

Chris Ivory in for a visit with the Bills.

He chooses to prepare by spending the least amount of time possible on the ice? K. Last on, first off is not indicative of a guy who thinks (correctly) to himself, "the difference between success and mediocrity in this league is how you do dozens of the little things; I should get some extra time on the ice to work on those things." No. That is consistent with him being a guy who has supreme physical gifts -- like, probably, top 10% in the league -- and a motor that pretty reliably runs at 110 mph. And that's it. He thinks that's enough. And, honestly, he may not be capable of doing more or different than that. I can't recall which game it was that I attended this season -- first half (third?) for sure. I know I posted this take at the time - maybe in the game thread. I sat in a section with which I've become familiar over the past 3 years. There's a good, fun collection of long-time STHs there -- people dating back to the 70s and 80s. Smart fans. Kane was skating on Eichel's line. The third time that Kane got needlessly gummed up with Eichel by moving to space that Eichel was moving to occupy (with the puck), one of those fans just screamed in frustration "GET OUT OF HIS DAMN WAY, KANE!" This section is about 15 rows up in the lower bowl, shoots twice end, between the face-off dots and the end line. The play was right in front of us. I am SURE the players heard this guy. Anyhoo. If you've been watching Sabres hockey and have not concluded that Kane has really low hockey IQ, then I'm not sure what to say. Yes, he can score at even strength. He's fast, strong, and generally gives a full effort. That's how and why he's had some success in the league.

Missed this. It squares with my main beef with the guy: One of the lowest-hockey-IQ NHL hockey players I’ve seen.

Huh - no kidding?

I think that JBOTS adding a really, really good piece for Rochester reinforces (yet again) his vision: Success in Roch will lead to success in Buffalo.

now that's funny

Well, then he's coming through crystal clear.

Link?

The fact that the Sabres didn't take on bad money is something that's probably not getting enough consideration right now.

This is about where I am. I thought the team would get a 2nd for him and a prospect/good young player. I'd hoped the 2nd would be in 2018, but whatever. They pushed it to 2019 on the hope it might be a 1st? Sure. :huh:

Indeed - there were better players available on waivers today. The idea that JBOTS should have traded Kane when he was tearing it up back in December is one that has some appeal to it. But, again. We have no way of knowing whether JBOTS was getting better deals offered to him at that time. We just don't know. Maybe there'll be some leaks about how JBOTS missed the boat? I dunno. I feel like if he'd been offered an unconditional 2018 1st and a prospect in December, Kane would've been gone.