Sabres announce Jarmo Kekalainen Hired as Senior Advisor

[DarthEbriate]

33 minutes ago, shrader said:

I’m constantly amazed that people don’t understand this. 

I’m constantly amazed Biron hasn’t signed a full-time gig with TSN or gotten snapped up by a larger market. He’s a good analyst. Sharp and light-hearted. He’s too good for this franchise (at the moment). I’m glad he’s they have him, but he can do better and make more money. 

[PromoTheRobot]

29 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

I’m constantly amazed Biron hasn’t signed a full-time gig with TSN or gotten snapped up by a larger market. He’s a good analyst. Sharp and light-hearted. He’s too good for this franchise (at the moment). I’m glad he’s they have him, but he can do better and make more money. 

Probably because TSN can get Marty for part time money. Why pay more? Doesn't he also do work for French language RDS?

Edited 21 hours ago by PromoTheRobot

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, thewookie1 said:

That was definitely a part of it

There were also disagreements on how much ownership had access to the players. A specific example was from a Sabres team visit to the Pegula music label venue in Nashville the night prior to an 8pm game. Kim pulled the wife of owner card on Lafontaine who refused to let the players go. (Quite honestly from what I know of this story, the Pegulas weren’t in the wrong in this instance; however it may have soured them on Presidents of Hockey Ops)

Apparently LaFontaine did have some, likely CTE caused, issues which caused further friction with Kim Pegula. Particularly in terms of interpersonal interactions between the two in regards to non-direct hockey related matters. 

Tim Murray would later sink his own ship in part thanks to his own personal interactions with Kim. She was seen as a Black Widow to some but was respected by others. 

Terry has looked at the Sabres franchise as a privileged fan. He hired Lafontaine based on a dinner with one of his favorite players. Like us, he wants the whole behind the scenes experience and all but demands it outright. How many here, given the option, wouldn’t want to be in on all the going’s and comings of the team while also not having any particular job responsibilities? Like many fans however he’s lost some interest in the Sabres “toy” and doesn’t quite grasp how he is part of the problem with the team. 

His lack of self-awareness is as damaging as his lack of pro hockey knowledge. Acknowledging what you don't know and being willing to entrust people who do know are tough for successful people in one field who cross over into another field. And without a doubt, layering a high degree of stubbornness and hubris onto those other sabotaging traits doesn't help him as an owner. 

Without having personal knowledge about Kim Pegula, my sense is that she is a tough woman in a man's world who was not going to tolerate being treated in a disrespectful and condescending manner. And to her credit, she didn't tolerate any staff, especially women, to be treated inappropriately. And adding another opinion without much inside knowledge is that I don't think that this sinking ship franchise would have continued for so long if she was still healthy and involved. 

[shrader]

43 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Probably because TSN can get Marty for part time money. Why pay more? Doesn't he also do work for French language RDS?

And he’s also doing weekly stuff on SiriusXM. I’m guessing that he likes the flexibility he has going right now. 

[shrader]

Are there any decent Finn free agents this year?

[Taro T]

Just realized one thing about Kekalainen's record in C-Bus.  Yes, his teams made the playoffs in 5 of his 1st 7 full seasons as the GM.  (From 2013-2020)  In August of 2013 he'd hired Bill Zito into their front office.  In September 2020, Zito left to become the GM of the Swamp Cats.  C-Bus has not made the playoffs since Zito left, including 3 years that Jarmo was still there.  And the high water mark of those final 3 years was 81 points.

Correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation, but ...  This may not be the droid we are looking for.  😞 

[LGR4GM]

1 minute ago, Taro T said:

Just realized one thing about Kekalainen's record in C-Bus.  Yes, his teams made the playoffs in 5 of his 1st 7 full seasons as the GM.  (From 2013-2020)  In August of 2013 he'd hired Bill Zito into their front office.  In September 2020, Zito left to become the GM of the Swamp Cats.  C-Bus has not made the playoffs since Zito left, including 3 years that Jarmo was still there.  And the high water mark of those final 3 years was 81 points.

Correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation, but ...  This may not be the droid we are looking for.  😞 

In July of 2019 Columbus lost their starting goalie and one of their top forwards. 

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

That was definitely a part of it

There were also disagreements on how much ownership had access to the players. A specific example was from a Sabres team visit to the Pegula music label venue in Nashville the night prior to an 8pm game. Kim pulled the wife of owner card on Lafontaine who refused to let the players go. (Quite honestly from what I know of this story, the Pegulas weren’t in the wrong in this instance; however it may have soured them on Presidents of Hockey Ops)

Apparently LaFontaine did have some, likely CTE caused, issues which caused further friction with Kim Pegula. Particularly in terms of interpersonal interactions between the two in regards to non-direct hockey related matters. 

Tim Murray would later sink his own ship in part thanks to his own personal interactions with Kim. She was seen as a Black Widow to some but was respected by others. 

Terry has looked at the Sabres franchise as a privileged fan. He hired Lafontaine based on a dinner with one of his favorite players. Like us, he wants the whole behind the scenes experience and all but demands it outright. How many here, given the option, wouldn’t want to be in on all the going’s and comings of the team while also not having any particular job responsibilities? Like many fans however he’s lost some interest in the Sabres “toy” and doesn’t quite grasp how he is part of the problem with the team. 

I know the Nashville story and I avoid it.  “Out of her league” is the term for Kim’s tenure.   
Terry is too.  It’s another clown show story I try to avoid.  

Edited 19 hours ago by Pimlach

[Taro T]

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

In July of 2019 Columbus lost their starting goalie and one of their top forwards. 

Yes.  And they were in 4th place in their division in a WC spot (by points; they were 9th overall in point %age and made the expanded playoffs that season) when the league stopped playing after 70 or so games.  And they won their 1st round series, so the "officially" qualified for the playoffs that year too.

So, wth Zito and without Bobrovsky and Panarin they still made the playoffs.  Wtihout Zito, they've pretty much been the Sabres.

[Slack_in_MA]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

Just realized one thing about Kekalainen's record in C-Bus.  Yes, his teams made the playoffs in 5 of his 1st 7 full seasons as the GM.  (From 2013-2020)  In August of 2013 he'd hired Bill Zito into their front office.  In September 2020, Zito left to become the GM of the Swamp Cats.  C-Bus has not made the playoffs since Zito left, including 3 years that Jarmo was still there.  And the high water mark of those final 3 years was 81 points.

Correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation, but ...  This may not be the droid we are looking for.  😞 

Hopium springs eternal? 😬 

[sabremike]

2 hours ago, Taro T said:

Yes.  And they were in 4th place in their division in a WC spot (by points; they were 9th overall in point %age and made the expanded playoffs that season) when the league stopped playing after 70 or so games.  And they won their 1st round series, so the "officially" qualified for the playoffs that year too.

So, wth Zito and without Bobrovsky and Panarin they still made the playoffs.  Wtihout Zito, they've pretty much been the Sabres.

Who do you think acquired/drafted the players who nearly pulled off a miracle this past season and have a far brighter future than Terry's Trash Heap???

Edited 16 hours ago by sabremike

[Taro T]

22 minutes ago, sabremike said:

Who do you think acquired/drafted the players who nearly pulled off a miracle this past season and have a far brighter future than Terry's Trash Heap???

Who do you think hired the coach who's team nearly pulled off a miracle this past season and ...?

[PromoTheRobot]

10 hours ago, Taro T said:

Yes.  And they were in 4th place in their division in a WC spot (by points; they were 9th overall in point %age and made the expanded playoffs that season) when the league stopped playing after 70 or so games.  And they won their 1st round series, so the "officially" qualified for the playoffs that year too.

So, wth Zito and without Bobrovsky and Panarin they still made the playoffs.  Wtihout Zito, they've pretty much been the Sabres.

And so it begins. The tearing down of Jarmo Kekalainen. Surprised it took this long. 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by PromoTheRobot

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

14 hours ago, Weave said:

The sad part is we no longer criticize the team we are numb, we are criticizing the shills promoting the team, if that doesn't make you step back... Well what does?

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Standing Room Smoking Cigs

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

 

 

Yeesh, Don't want waste another 19 minutes

[JohnC]

11 hours ago, Pimlach said:

I know the Nashville story and I avoid it.  “Out of her league” is the term for Kim’s tenure.   
Terry is too.  It’s another clown show story I try to avoid.  

Is Terry P as out of touch as it appears? Has he simply become so exasperated with his failed toy that he has given up being emotionally involved and no longer willing to focus his attention trying to make his aberrant franchise into a normal functioning franchise?

I’m not trying to be snarky with these questions. You seem to have some sources and insights into this infected franchise and the odd behavior of this silent owner. My sense is that he has checked out???? Am I off the mark? I hope so. 

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

2 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Is Terry P as out of touch as it appears? Has he simply become so exasperated with his failed toy that he has given up being emotionally involved and no longer willing to focus his attention trying to make his aberrant franchise into a normal functioning franchise?

I’m not trying to be snarky with these questions. You seem to have some sources and insights into this infected franchise and the odd behavior of this silent owner. My sense is that he has checked out???? Am I off the mark? I hope so. 

I also, the terrible thing about Kim probably is a factor and never would wish that upon another, I'm sure it devasted all involved. But I question how did Adams ingratiate himself so deeply. Ted Black was a nightmare, but he moved on, Adams séems intent on being Satan (No not that Slovak star)... tearing down a proud franchise because he's the smartest voice in the room. That's the smary thing about him, not my fault, I am so smarter than all you asking questions. He needs a comeuppance, reminding him that he reached his 'Peter Princple'... Never employed again, but yeah, how did he employ his 'snake oil' sales pitch and the Pegulas bought it... No respect for a man who denies it isn't his fault, that we see it is.

[JohnC]

14 minutes ago, Standing Room Smoking Cigs said:

I also, the terrible thing about Kim probably is a factor and never would wish that upon another, I'm sure it devasted all involved. But I question how did Adams ingratiate himself so deeply. Ted Black was a nightmare, but he moved on, Adams séems intent on being Satan (No not that Slovak star)... tearing down a proud franchise because he's the smartest voice in the room. That's the smary thing about him, not my fault, I am so smarter than all you asking questions. He needs a comeuppance, reminding him that he reached his 'Peter Princple'... Never employed again, but yeah, how did he employ his 'snake oil' sales pitch and the Pegulas bought it... No respect for a man who denies it isn't his fault, that we see it is.

The “snake oil” pitch that KA promoted is not too difficult to recognize. He promoted a cheaper rebuild strategy to the owner who was tired of losing money on his toy. It was like putting a Jack Daniel bottle in front of a struggling alcoholic. It’s not a surprise that the clueless owner went for the intoxicating bottle. 

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

The “snake oil” pitch that KA promoted is not too difficult to recognize. He promoted a cheaper rebuild strategy to the owner who was tired of losing money on his toy. It was like putting a Jack Daniel bottle in front of a struggling alcoholic. It’s not a surprise that the clueless owner went for the intoxicating bottle. 

I would have killed for JD, sadly we at college bargain opted for 1.5 litre of Popov Vodka, plastic bottle and $2.19 back in the day. Still questioning whether Popov was vodka... But the bottle bounced!🤣🤣🤣 

[sabremike]

Credit where it's due: Dangle on his podcast calling Kevyn "Wayland Smithers" was brilliant.

[inkman]

1 hour ago, Standing Room Smoking Cigs said:

I also, the terrible thing about Kim probably is a factor and never would wish that upon another, I'm sure it devasted all involved. But I question how did Adams ingratiate himself so deeply. Ted Black was a nightmare, but he moved on, Adams séems intent on being Satan (No not that Slovak star)... tearing down a proud franchise because he's the smartest voice in the room. That's the smary thing about him, not my fault, I am so smarter than all you asking questions. He needs a comeuppance, reminding him that he reached his 'Peter Princple'... Never employed again, but yeah, how did he employ his 'snake oil' sales pitch and the Pegulas bought it... No respect for a man who denies it isn't his fault, that we see it is.

 

26 minutes ago, sabremike said:

Credit where it's due: Dangle on his podcast calling Kevyn "Wayland Smithers" was brilliant.

I think the Smithers comp is much more accurate than an egotistical blame avoider.  I’ve never felt Adams sounded intelligent or that his ego was in the way of him succeeding.  He’s admitted his mistakes.  The problem is he wasn’t held accountable for them.  He’s an incompetent yes man that apparently has carte Blanche with ownership. 
 

Pegula’s penny pinching is destroying the franchise.  Signing Taylor Hall to a one year $8 million dollar contract had to be vetted through Terry?  Yikes. He doesn’t want to pay coaches that aren’t working for him.  So Lindy gets to inherit Granato’s questionable staff and god knows what other things are compromised in the organization.  I’m sure scouting, analytics and other areas are being neglected due to self imposed financial constraints.  

[Standing Room Smoking Cigs]

Never questioned his smarts, questioned why he thought he was smarter than others and yeah, he does come off like that, saying trope words, saying all the robotic things so it can explain away. Maybe the problem is that media just accepts it and doesn't delve. Shame on them, but as far I am concerned he his just a mannequin dressed for success in a window hawking wares on Main Street when 50 years ago it mattered.

Edited 5 hours ago by Standing Room Smoking Cigs
new wording

[SabreFinn]

14 hours ago, shrader said:

Are there any decent Finn free agents this year?

Mikael Granlund 

[Taro T]

3 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

And so it begins. The tearing down of Jarmo Kekalainen. Surprised it took this long. 

 

 

 

No.  Not tearing him down.  Simply adding context.

He IS the most successful GM the BJs have had.  The entirely of the team successes they earned during his tenure corresponded directly to the years that Zito was working for Kekalainen.  Even stated in the original post about this that it is a correlation and not necessarily causation.

He was the GM for roughly 11 years.  The team was reasonably successful (and compared to the rest of their existance, extremely successful) in the 1st 7 years that he was the GM.  They were not successful in the nearly 4 full seasons after that (and only in this last season with him removed from the picture have they shown the possibility that they MAY once again be relatively successful).

And am 100% hoping HE is as good as we need him to be.  Expecting in one way or another that he'll be here for the next 4 or so years (and if the team is successful in that stretch (PLEEEEEAAAAASE) for significantly longer than that) so we need him to be good.  He's been aggressive, even after Zito left, and he did something NOBODY expected in landing Gaudreau and doing it without having to outbid everyone by a significant margin.  There are things to like about him.  He'd had coursework prior to going to college and because of that managed to graduate in only 2 years.  He's been a GM on both sides of the pond; he started out very briefly as an agent; and has held several roles within the hockey departments of some pretty good teams prior to becoming the BJ GM.  There also is the fact that his successes as GM correlate extremely well with the time Zito was working for him.