That Aud Smell

There's obviously a huge debate ongoing about this. And I don't mean to try to resolve it here. I am speaking from personal experience -- for myself as an individual, regarding my company's experience generally, and regarding the businesses of many other organizations with which I am connected. In my experience, the management trend is inexorably bent toward getting people together, face to face, as much the labor force will abide. And that sort of thing varies from industry to industry, from profession to profession. Recent example: I was part of a search committee for a C-Suite exec (not the CEO - but a direct report) of a 9-figure annual nonprofit. We had one leading candidate currently residing ~80 miles from headquarters. They asked if they could work remotely for most of the time and be on-site a few times a month or otherwise as needed. We've passed on their candidacy. The current CEO and the other C-levels agree: We need that person here with us. Associate GM!

Also bears mentioning: Karmanos is Associate GM. He's above Jakubowski and Forton.

I haven't listened - may not. Can you further explain what you're saying here? I don't follow. Some variation of: Stupid is as stupid does. We have? I did not. I most certainly frickin' doubt it. Why do you think that? I can only speak to my experience in a variety of private industries - both profit and nonprofit. Having someone in the upper echelon of leadership who is not regularly on-site is an organizational deficit. Full stop. It's all of a piece. And it's symptomatic of some more fundamental rot. When you're at the top of an org chart, you need legitimate thought-partners around you. Who's Adams got in Buffalo? Jakubowski and Forton. Pfffffff. The former has been with the Sabres for 20 years and, I think, is more of a capologist than anything. Forton's hockey resume does not inspire much confidence. He kicked around as an assistant coach in the lower tiers of D-1 hockey for 20 years before falling into a job with the Sabres. And not for nothing: Jakubowski and Forton are both Buffalo/WNY guys. Local guys. Pegula's not hiring the best and brightest. He's casting about in a local bargain bin for the people to lead the franchise. Come to think of it: The same thoughts apply equally to Adams. Dahlin be like: "Oh sh1t. I'm the next Jeff Skinner?"

I understood you, I think. And I think it’s a very bad idea to have the Sabres’ assistant GM living in the Pittsburgh area and (mostly?) working remotely. Lol - suffice to say that Friedman’s sources and Biz’s sources are different kinds of people. Friedman reports what he hears from (often carries water for) FO’s and agents. Biz reports what he hears from players.

The assistant GM working remotely is very much a thing. Working remotely is fine for some jobs. It is definitely not okay for higher level management jobs where collaboration is crucial. I need to watch the clip later.

Posts like this should be made with "invisible ink" or some "click through for explicit content" filters. So upsetting. as cruel (and stupid) children, we used to make fun of Hajt for being "steady" (and, in our eyes, super boring). Now, I'd give just about anything (hockey-related) for the Sabres to find a modern day Bill Hajt. I realize now that, among other things, dude played that quietly heavy game.

Very odd. The bolded above strikes me as the most interesting thing he said. He's admitting there was a meeting. And he's saying he thought he made it clear at that meeting that he wasn't saying he wanted out of here if things don't turn around. Sounds every bit to me like he made some significant demands and probably some vague (thinly-veiled?) threats when he was in that meeting with Adams (and others from the FO). Further, when he goes on to say that it pisses him off to hear the way Biz reported it -- who's Dahlin pissed at there? Biz? Or the Sabres FO person who was in that meeting and who -- directly or indirectly -- leaked this information to Biz? I'm guessing it's more the latter. "That pisses me off. I thought I made myself clear in that meeting."

Bro. Do you know puck? (I know you know puck. So you also know why (that) a single elite d-man can't drag a team to a playoff berth.)

Looks more like they're collapsing on/at the puck. The Sabrepede was an all-timer. Shoutout Ron Rolston, who, after leaving the Sabres, was a head coach in the AHL for one year (with a win % of .395) and has since been an assistant or associate coach at Providence College.

I feel like you’re glossing over that time in there when the club iced arguably its best teams ever.

… just need him healthy.

Amending this to add: I think the Chiclets guys' sources are strictly North Americans guys. So I tended to doubt this when I first heard it. Like, how would Biz know what Dahlin was saying? But to @dudacek's theory on the "telephone game," the source here is probably a North American player who's relating what he heard/understood about the meeting.

I listen to the Chiclets guys occasionally. And I get a regular dose of Biz on the Pardon My Take pod. I like Biz. He's a character. A goof. He's funny. He can talk the paint off a barn. And he knows hockey. And he loves the game. Another thing I will say about him and Ryan Whitney: They have legitimate league sources. They're not the same kind of sources that "legitimate insiders" have (agents, mostly -- some FO people). Rather, the Chiclets guys are plugged in on the players' side of things. That's a fact. This is my read as well. Hmm. Interesting. I've also heard this third-hand from a friend who used to work in Pegulaville. As @Stoner suggested: This may more be Dahlin's effort to get Adams fired and to get Pegula to spend more money on coaches, etc.

the initial info i get on this guy is unusual. he’s a DT! he’s edge! he’s a linebacker! he’s 310#!

You're a winner if you see it. Full disclosure: I have been playing this young man's (well, his band's) record non-stop the past few weeks. His rendition in this video is a stripped down, acoustic version of the song from the LP. He's also the owner/operator of Remedy House on Buffalo's lower west side. He gives me (some (new)) hope for this tired old town.

I now recall our swapping eclipse chasing stories when the big solar one occurred. You wound up ... in a parking lot? With a kindly gentleman?

He is an absolute pud. Jeepers. Can you imagine if that had been the deal?!

shameful, really.

in case nobody responded

i don't think Dunleavy coined it.

this does not seem possible.

If Cozens can get his swagger back, I think the Senators will end up pleased with this deal. I share the view that Cozens' problems are mostly between his ears. And who knows - maybe Captain America can embiggen him with courage. I'd like to say I wish him well. But my feelings don't extend quite that far.

i never know what these mean.