Seravalli: Real hard to picture JJ Peterka in a Sabres uniform this fall

[dudacek]

25 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I really don't know where the owner's head is at. There's no communication emanating from him or the organization about what they are thinking and where they are heading. I believe that it was Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News ??? who stated that he hasn't talked to the owner in over five years. That is odd. The Sabres under Pegula are not a normally functioning franchise. The Sabres have become a mocked franchise and a franchise to be avoided by potential staff and players in the league. This owner has devalued the franchise and fanbase by his inexplicable behavior. It's maddening and also weird. 

This should not be construed as any kind of defence of Pegula, but there is nothing weird about an NHL owner not being in regular communication with the media.

How many of the 32 NHL owners have done media in the past few years?

Id say the majority talk in public - as in take questions - when they buy the team, fire or hire somebody to run the franchise, or need money or political favours for an arena or something.

Most of them hire somebody to take care of that ***** for them otherwise. Pegula uses Guelli and Adams, his two senior people.

Be honest, if you could you would probably avoid speaking to Harrington for five years too.

Edited Thursday at 12:41 AM by dudacek

[Weave]

52 minutes ago, JohnC said:

No it is not. There are many countries in the world where early marriages and the bearing of childrem (compared to western countries) is common. And when I was growing up there were more than a few incidents where the guy and girl got entangled in their mid-teens. 

Unconventional in that I have never heard anyone use it that way, and a google search shows 4 or 5 different versions and yours ain’t one of em.  So, yeah, unconventional fits.

[Pimlach]

31 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Atlanta is quite serious about bring the NHL back. I didn't pull that city out of thin air.

"I don't think the prior two "visits" have any bearing on whether or not we would go back."

- Gary Bettman on Atlanta returning to the NHL. May 9, 2025.

We shall see.  

[JoeSchmoe]

6 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

You're really stretching to claim it won't.

We have Canadians on this board. Maybe they can give us an idea of how fans feel about crossing the border? The fact remains any reduction in market population hurts an already small Buffalo market.

I know a bunch that won't go to Sabres game until Trump is out. Some out of fear, some out of "principle". For the ones that won't go out of principle, I remind them that Carney- when he was basically the PM in waiting, and after Trump's tariff threats, still voted to move Brookfield Asset Management headquarters from Toronto to New York. If the future PM can do that, it should be okay to enjoy a Sabres game. Unfortunately, tensions here are pretty high and it doesn't seem to matter.

[LabattBlue]

34 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/politics/2025/05/28/schumer--numbers-show-drop-in-canadian-visitor-crossings

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/article_2e46062e-abf4-4e64-a517-869c709274c1.html

https://www.wxxinews.org/2025-05-28/new-york-international-bridge-crossings-plunge-compared-to-last-year

Maybe I am just being stubborn and will not know the answer unless I worked for the Sabres, but I wonder how many ticket buying Sabres fans from Southern Ontario are going to stop coming to the games…compared to decreased border crossings in general?

Edited Thursday at 12:52 AM by LabattBlue

[Ogelthorpe]

I imagine the Canadian dollar being only worth $.61 in the states has more to do with people coming over or not . 

[JohnC]

10 minutes ago, dudacek said:

This should not be construed as any kind of defence of Pegula, but there is nothing weird about an NHL owner not being in regular communication with the media.

How many of the 32 NHL owners have done media in the past few years?

Id say the majority talk in public - as in take questions - when they buy the team, fire or hire somebody to run the franchise, or need money or political favours for an arena or something.

Most of them hire somebody to take care of that ***** for them otherwise. Pegula uses Guelli and Adams, his two senior people.

Be honest, if you could you would probably avoid speaking to Harrington for five years too.

The degree of his non-communication in whatever form he would prefer, especially when there are so many issues associated with the franchise is unusually low, almost bordering on nonexistent. 

With respect to his interactions with Harrington or any other media member, it is not too difficult to understand why the members are jaded and scornful covering this long term troubled franchise.

[LGR4GM]

17 minutes ago, Ogelthorpe said:

I imagine the Canadian dollar being only worth $.61 in the states has more to do with people coming over or not . 

Right yea, couldn't possibly be Canadians are pissed off at ole 51st start Dictator wannabe or his senile use of tariffs... it's just what you said. 

Of course the Canadian dollar being what it is has nothing to do with anything ole oompa loompa has done, nope. Just a coincidence. 

Edited Thursday at 01:14 AM by LGR4GM

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Atlanta is quite serious about bring the NHL back. I didn't pull that city out of thin air.

"I don't think the prior two "visits" have any bearing on whether or not we would go back."

- Gary Bettman on Atlanta returning to the NHL. May 9, 2025.

Cool, they aren't moving the Sabres. They want expansion money. 

[thewookie1]

https://puckgm.puckpedia.com/rosters/591851

 

Here's a theoretical Rossi for Peterka deal.

[GoPuckYourself]

On 5/27/2025 at 2:05 PM, dudacek said:

Frank says things with JJ and Buffalo have gone sideways and he doesn't expect the Sabres be able to repair them.

The says teams expressed significant interest in Peterka at the deadline and the Sabres didn't bite then, but they may not have a choice now. Calls Peterka the best trade chip on the market right now and, next to Marner, the most valuable piece out there.

Trade talk starts close to the 18-minute mark.

 

Where is he getting the information that he's unhappy? He never once said  "A source told me" so I'm guessing he's just throwing ***** at the wall and hoping it sticks? Peterka's agent has even said that he hasn't asked for a trade. When I go to look up if Peterka wants out of Buffalo the only report everyone is this from Serivelli so unless I start seeing multiple from different sources I'm just going to take this as Frank is hoping this is true so he looks like he has sources.

[FrenchConnection44]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I really don't know where the owner's head is at. There's no communication emanating from him or the organization about what they are thinking and where they are heading. I believe that it was Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News ??? who stated that he hasn't talked to the owner in over five years. That is odd. The Sabres under Pegula are not a normally functioning franchise. The Sabres have become a mocked franchise and a franchise to be avoided by potential staff and players in the league. This owner has devalued the franchise and fanbase by his inexplicable behavior. It's maddening and also weird. 

Totally. He’s a dysfunctional owner. Seems like he’s got some sort of personality problem or something.

[FrenchConnection44]

1 hour ago, Ogelthorpe said:

I imagine the Canadian dollar being only worth $.61 in the states has more to do with people coming over or not . 

I wouldn’t doubt that for several that is a crucial factor.
 

Still, I suspect there are many who are choosing not to because of the absurd, political climate the orange megalomaniac despot has created.

[JohnC]

11 minutes ago, FrenchConnection44 said:

Totally. He’s a dysfunctional owner. Seems like he’s got some sort of personality problem or something.

Some billionaires are on a different wavelength. Arrogance and hubris contribute to this unique way of thinking. 

[Mr. Allen]

7 hours ago, JP51 said:

Its incompetence wrapped in arrogance dipped in a thick sauce of condescension sprinkled with a bit a *uc* you little people with you little opinions mailed in a big ol box of spite...  

The Buffalo Bills would be the same terribly run organization if Pegula didn’t get lucky with McDermott.  
McDermott brought in Beanne. 
Beanne brought in Josh. 
McBeanne told Pegula to stay out of decision making.

Rest is history.  

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, GoPuckYourself said:

Where is he getting the information that he's unhappy? He never once said  "A source told me" so I'm guessing he's just throwing ***** at the wall and hoping it sticks? Peterka's agent has even said that he hasn't asked for a trade. When I go to look up if Peterka wants out of Buffalo the only report everyone is this from Serivelli so unless I start seeing multiple from different sources I'm just going to take this as Frank is hoping this is true so he looks like he has sources.

I would be surprised if the information is not coming directly from Peterka’s agent, who has a reputation as a negotiator who likes to keep GMs off balance.

You’ll notice there was very little substance there about how and why things got often the rails, only that they have.

Whether Peterka actually wants to leave, or he’s just chumming the waters, only he and Peterka know.

Most of us remember well how Skinner’s agent played Terry into overpaying Skinner.

Edited Thursday at 03:22 AM by dudacek

[PerreaultForever]

10 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

You're really stretching to claim it won't.

We have Canadians on this board. Maybe they can give us an idea of how fans feel about crossing the border? The fact remains any reduction in market population hurts an already small Buffalo market.

I can only tell you that I am not crossing for any reason and I know many people that feel the same way. This article might give you a general sense of how people feel

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bellingham-bc-travel-letter?utm_source=DH-Vancouver-Buzz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ZOOMER250528004_20250528&oly_enc_id=7232I5726301E8L

 

[JohnC]

14 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Picking Atlanta as your example was not the smartest thing you could have done.   A massive two time hockey failure city and someone is going to invest $2.5B on another Atlanta team?   

There is no reason to think that Pegula would sell them to someone that will move them.   It would hurt his standing as a Bills owner for one.  Josh Allen will not play forever.  

It should  also be noted that when Golisano sold the franchise to TP there was a no move clause agreed to by the new owner if/when he decided to sell.

[shrader]

What do politics have to do with whether or not JJ Peterka wants to be a sabre?

[JP51]

11 hours ago, JohnC said:

I really don't know where the owner's head is at. There's no communication emanating from him or the organization about what they are thinking and where they are heading. I believe that it was Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News ??? who stated that he hasn't talked to the owner in over five years. That is odd. The Sabres under Pegula are not a normally functioning franchise. The Sabres have become a mocked franchise and a franchise to be avoided by potential staff and players in the league. This owner has devalued the franchise and fanbase by his inexplicable behavior. It's maddening and also weird. 

Literally, like he is almost trying to do what he is doing... (I know he isnt) but the ineptitude runs so deep for so long I mean it crosses your mind... 

9 hours ago, Mr. Allen said:

The Buffalo Bills would be the same terribly run organization if Pegula didn’t get lucky with McDermott.  
McDermott brought in Beanne. 
Beanne brought in Josh. 
McBeanne told Pegula to stay out of decision making.

Rest is history.  

He hit the lottery and walked away... that is exactly what happened. 

[JP51]

11 hours ago, dudacek said:

This should not be construed as any kind of defence of Pegula, but there is nothing weird about an NHL owner not being in regular communication with the media.

How many of the 32 NHL owners have done media in the past few years?

Id say the majority talk in public - as in take questions - when they buy the team, fire or hire somebody to run the franchise, or need money or political favours for an arena or something.

Most of them hire somebody to take care of that ***** for them otherwise. Pegula uses Guelli and Adams, his two senior people.

Be honest, if you could you would probably avoid speaking to Harrington for five years too.

So I am in 100% agreement, in a normal circumstance we are not looking for the owner to be out there twice a year talking about his team... but after 14 years of abject failure and his brand reduced to a pile of steaming rubble, I feel like if I were the owner I would want to be out there trying to bolster my brand and let my fans know that I care... but thats me... Pegula is not that way, he is very awkward speaking and is clearly not comfortable... throw Harrington in there LOL and he is not gonna do it... I think its a case of the longer this goes on with the failure and Radio Silence the harder it is for him to get out and talk... I think the next time will be a with an inevitable sweeping change announcement... but who knows when that will happen... 6 months 2 years... who knows... 

[PromoTheRobot]

54 minutes ago, JohnC said:

It should  also be noted that when Golisano sold the franchise to TP there was a no move clause agreed to by the new owner if/when he decided to sell.

I have to wonder how enforceable that clause is since the NHL ultimately decides where their franchises play.

[PromoTheRobot]

7 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

I can only tell you that I am not crossing for any reason and I know many people that feel the same way. This article might give you a general sense of how people feel

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bellingham-bc-travel-letter?utm_source=DH-Vancouver-Buzz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=ZOOMER250528004_20250528&oly_enc_id=7232I5726301E8L

 

The CPB at Bellingham decided to start searching Canadian vehicles more frequently. No explanation was ever given. No wonder folks are reticent to cross.

[JohnC]

10 minutes ago, JP51 said:

So I am in 100% agreement, in a normal circumstance we are not looking for the owner to be out there twice a year talking about his team... but after 14 years of abject failure and his brand reduced to a pile of steaming rubble, I feel like if I were the owner I would want to be out there trying to bolster my brand and let my fans know that I care... but thats me... Pegula is not that way, he is very awkward speaking and is clearly not comfortable... throw Harrington in there LOL and he is not gonna do it... I think its a case of the longer this goes on with the failure and Radio Silence the harder it is for him to get out and talk... I think the next time will be a with an inevitable sweeping change announcement... but who knows when that will happen... 6 months 2 years... who knows... 

The Sabre franchise is in a sense a public trust.  No question he owns it and has the authority to oversee it as he wants to.  However, the community does have a shared stake in it. He didn't buy a furniture store. He bought a sports franchise where the community is invested in it on many different levels.  Not so much at a monetary level but at as a community unifying source. It's supposed to be a community shared experience that offers entertainment and joy. That's not what this franchise has devolved to. 

Fans want to root for their team and be proud of it.  What do we have now? The franchise has become a mocked and scorned franchise. It's gotten so bad that not only do players not want to come here but players already here want to get out. All this has happened during his ownership tenure. In the world of sports, especially capped sports, there are up and down cycles. That's now where we are at. It seems that this franchise is stuck. And that shouldn't be a surprise because during the Pegula era that's where we have permanently resided. I'm tired of it.  

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I have to wonder how enforceable that clause is since the NHL ultimately decides where their franchises play.

I, like you, don't know how enforceable that clause is. I would think that if the NHL had a superseding clause that contradicts the individual franchise clause, it may not have standing. If any lawyers on this board have opinions on this issue I would appreciate it.