Sure, but not Pegula/Whaley. They've only been here a few.

Just like we wouldn't blame Murray for the Sabres 6 year drought.

For the record, Whaley could be fired tomorrow and I wouldn't care. I think he's done enough to warrant it. Just don't get why he's public enemy #1
- sbroads24

I think it's sad to be a GM and have as much say so of the team as he doesn't .

If it truly is Brandon.. It doesn't matter who we get in here. Nothing will change .

They weren't even remotely watchable.

We all could have handled a losing team if they were watchable, we all believed the tank was the right move.

Murray also said McEichel numerous times on WGR
- Stripes77

And I have no problem with what Murray said. I just think Whaley is giving the standard BS answers a ton of GM'S give

Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

They aren't a playoff team, I will say it after those last 2 games.

But I guarantee it if Bylsma gets fired before the season ends Murray would hold a press conference...
- Stripes77

Might be the stick boy that is the one we see at the podium.

Sure, but not Pegula/Whaley. They've only been here a few.

Just like we wouldn't blame Murray for the Sabres 6 year drought.

For the record, Whaley could be fired tomorrow and I wouldn't care. I think he's done enough to warrant it. Just don't get why he's public enemy #1
- sbroads24

whaley wasn't even in charge, that's what I got out of the presser...from what I could gather, whaley wasn't a big part of the hiring of rex, and he wasn't even involved in the decision to fire rex...

makes me wonder who hired Bylsma...

that doesn't leave murray off the hook for some of the poor decisions he's made, but if the coach doesn't reflect the type of team the gm envisions, then there's a disconnect

Let's see how the rest of the season plays out.

They aren't a playoff team, I will say it after those last 2 games.

But I guarantee it if Bylsma gets fired before the season ends Murray would hold a press conference...
- Stripes77

I wonder if he keeps bylsma for the year just so it keeps the attention off him? if you fire him today and the team is still bad, that will just place more heat on him. Maybe fire him end of season then find a replacement, make changes.

whaley wasn't even in charge, that's what I got out of the presser...from what I could gather, whaley wasn't a big part of the hiring of rex, and he wasn't even involved in the decision to fire rex...

makes me wonder who hired Bylsma...

that doesn't leave murray off the hook for some of the poor decisions he's made, but if the coach doesn't reflect the type of team the gm envisions, then there's a disconnect
- Michael Pachla

I have no doubt in my mind it was t-pegs. There were more suitable short term options for a young ish core.

whaley wasn't even in charge, that's what I got out of the presser...from what I could gather, whaley wasn't a big part of the hiring of rex, and he wasn't even involved in the decision to fire rex...

makes me wonder who hired Bylsma...

that doesn't leave murray off the hook for some of the poor decisions he's made, but if the coach doesn't reflect the type of team the gm envisions, then there's a disconnect
- Michael Pachla

Exactly
Whaley kept his job as GM because the Rex hire was, almost entirely, a Pegula/Brandon hire.

More to that -- Brandon’s expanded role with Pegula Sports and Entertainment will keep him out of this coaching search, so when the new coach is hired, we won’t read a “don’t let him out of the building” line from Brandon.

Whaley repeatedly called the hiring of Rex a “Bills decision” but also made mention of Rex reporting directly the ownership during his time as Buffalo’s head coach.

The fact that the Pegulas have the final say on the hire is normal.

I wonder if he keeps bylsma for the year just so it keeps the attention off him? if you fire him today and the team is still bad, that will just place more heat on him. Maybe fire him end of season then find a replacement, make changes.
- Sabresfan-365

Me thinks this is a very good prediction.

Exactly
Whaley kept his job as GM because the Rex hire was, almost entirely, a Pegula/Brandon hire.

More to that -- Brandon’s expanded role with Pegula Sports and Entertainment will keep him out of this coaching search, so when the new coach is hired, we won’t read a “don’t let him out of the building” line from Brandon.

Whaley repeatedly called the hiring of Rex a “Bills decision” but also made mention of Rex reporting directly the ownership during his time as Buffalo’s head coach.

The fact that the Pegulas have the final say on the hire is normal.
- 22sabresQ

the owner does have the final say in all decisions...period...the best owners, however, put in place professional ops guys to make decisions with the best interests of the franchise in mind...the owner has a meeting with the vp of ops and signs off without having to think too much about the decision

Pegula is a PR nightmare and a disaster as an owner. He should seriously consider getting out of the game, sell both teams and take his loss. He sent Whaley to the wolves while he hides. Disgraceful what he has done for both teams and the good fans of WNY.

And to top it off, who is he still paying that aren't employed anymore? Ryans, Roman, Marrone, Leino, Hodgson, Ehrhoff. Maybe Nolan and Regier? Maybe Bylduct soon? The Terry unemployment office is pretty full.

Oh and he offered Pat Lafontaine the GM job over dinner and Pat declined because he never did that job before. This guy is a laughingstock.

the owner does have the final say in all decisions...period...the best owners, however, put in place professional ops guys to make decisions with the best interests of the franchise in mind...the owner has a meeting with the vp of ops and signs off without having to think too much about the decision
- Michael Pachla

No faith in your GM to do his job. Seems you hired the wrong GM.

the owner does have the final say in all decisions...period...the best owners, however, put in place professional ops guys to make decisions with the best interests of the franchise in mind...the owner has a meeting with the vp of ops and signs off without having to think too much about the decision
- Michael Pachla

This, they need that bridge between owner and management. someone who understands both areas/

Pegula is a PR nightmare and a disaster as an owner. He should seriously consider getting out of the game, sell both teams and take his loss. He sent Whaley to the wolves while he hides. Disgraceful what he has done for both teams and the good fans of WNY.

And to top it off, who is he still paying that aren't employed anymore? Ryans, Roman, Marrone, Leino, Hodgson, Ehrhoff. Maybe Nolan and Regier? Maybe Bylduct soon? The Terry unemployment office is pretty full.
- mhp

Happy new year bud .

Pegula is a PR nightmare and a disaster as an owner. He should seriously consider getting out of the game, sell both teams and take his loss. He sent Whaley to the wolves while he hides. Disgraceful what he has done for both teams and the good fans of WNY.

And to top it off, who is he still paying that aren't employed anymore? Ryans, Roman, Marrone, Leino, Hodgson, Ehrhoff. Maybe Nolan and Regier? Maybe Bylduct soon? The Terry unemployment office is pretty full.
- mhp

I'm hoping it changes. I have no doubt he has good intentions, but it's been a rough start for both teams.

Happy new year bud .
- cabin

You as well Cab.

And I added a little nugget to my post.

whaley wasn't even in charge, that's what I got out of the presser...from what I could gather, whaley wasn't a big part of the hiring of rex, and he wasn't even involved in the decision to fire rex...

makes me wonder who hired Bylsma...

that doesn't leave murray off the hook for some of the poor decisions he's made, but if the coach doesn't reflect the type of team the gm envisions, then there's a disconnect
- Michael Pachla

Disco may have been a Pegula hire as well ? Murray had no say ?

This, they need that bridge between owner and management. someone who understands both areas/
- Sabresfan-365

that's the big thing with both franchises...methinks that Pegula put his faith in Brandon to he that type of guy--or at least that's what it looks like to me--and we see where that got him

I'm hoping it changes. I have no doubt he has good intentions, but it's been a rough start for both teams.
- sbroads24

I've followed the Sabres from year one and maybe the Bills from the mid 70's. This is so disheartening and exhausting. I wish we were talking playoffs for both teams. We have great fans, really sad.

Disco may have been a Pegula hire as well ? Murray had no final say ?
- 22sabresQ

I don't know for sure, perhaps our insiders like 89 and 39 know...but based upon what we heard at the whaley presser, it made me think that way...

You as well Cab.

And I added a little nugget to my post.
- mhp

Thanks

Maybe Patty seen what his job wouldn't entail.

that's the big thing with both franchises...methinks that Pegula put his faith in Brandon to he that type of guy--or at least that's what it looks like to me--and we see where that got him
- Michael Pachla

If they dont want to fire murray because they just extended him, they should at least look to find someone to fill that role, tell brandon to just sell the tickets

Jerry Sullivan's Hot Read: Pegulas send Whaley out to tell whoppers

haven't read it yet, but what a headline

And I have no problem with what Murray said. I just think Whaley is giving the standard BS answers a ton of GM'S give
- sbroads24

A GM of a team says he had no input on firing of the coach?

Then goes on to say he didn't even have a thought about it?

I don't know for sure, perhaps our insiders like 89 and 39 know...but based upon what we heard at the whaley presser, it made me think that way...
- Michael Pachla

There is no doubt in my mind that Pegula hired Bylsma. The Pittsburgh effect.

This, they need that bridge between owner and management. someone who understands both areas/
- Sabresfan-365

Buss Randon