This is f*cked up. There have been some cruel people who graduated into the NHL and some who suffered a lot, and then went on to be those cruel bastards. Coaches, managers, administration who no doubt knew about it.
- GilPerreault11

Hockey culture is flat out (frank)ed up in general.

Just think about half the hockey dads who show up to rinks everywhere and act like complete bumholes half the time.

The funny part about the “leaner” comment from terry.

With all those scouts / directors ...... our drafting still sucked.

I mean look at our drafting in general outside of Eichel dahlin and Sam. It’s pretty much trash.

My only issue is ..... leaner means they aren’t hiring anyone. The scouting roster is set pretty much

Literally no twitter or media rumors of adding people
- Sabretooth9

Adams is going to add to his staff, give him a little time, you would be surprised how many people in different aspects of Hockey he's gotten to know over his 25yrs in the sport.

Yikes. Just yikes

https://twitter.com/thnke.../1273724316014858240?s=21
- sbroads24

Wow that's some nasty poop!!

This is interesting from Elliotte Friiedman's 31 thoughts:

He wasn’t crazy about the Jack Eichel extension (which will turn out fine) or the Jeff Skinner one, but was overruled by ownership. In fact, I’ve heard from several sources that he pursued other free-agent forwards, offering high annual salaries but shorter terms. He lost those races, but felt they wouldn’t regret onerous ends to those contracts.

So, he would have walked away from Skinner if they got the high-end FA they wanted. I wonder who they were?

This is interesting from Elliotte Friiedman's 31 thoughts:

He wasn’t crazy about the Jack Eichel extension (which will turn out fine) or the Jeff Skinner one, but was overruled by ownership. In fact, I’ve heard from several sources that he pursued other free-agent forwards, offering high annual salaries but shorter terms. He lost those races, but felt they wouldn’t regret onerous ends to those contracts.

So, he would have walked away from Skinner if they got the high-end FA they wanted. I wonder who they were?
- GilPerreault11

tough game. players want long term security. I get his point, you cant build a team through free agency a lone. Eichel should of been a no brainer hes worth every cent. He has a point with Skinner though..

This is interesting from Elliotte Friiedman's 31 thoughts:

He wasn’t crazy about the Jack Eichel extension (which will turn out fine) or the Jeff Skinner one, but was overruled by ownership. In fact, I’ve heard from several sources that he pursued other free-agent forwards, offering high annual salaries but shorter terms. He lost those races, but felt they wouldn’t regret onerous ends to those contracts.

So, he would have walked away from Skinner if they got the high-end FA they wanted. I wonder who they were?
- GilPerreault11

If that’s true Botts is out of touch.

A. Eichel should absolutely have gotten max term.

B. It’s rare guys will take short term to play for a bottom feeder

It makes sense that they would fire scouts who didn’t produce results. I have 0 issues with it.

But why is Devine still here?

None of this (besides firing Botterill) has the message that it was about performance
- sbroads24

They need somebody to run the draft board.
He has experience doing it anyway.
Who knows, he might get poop canned after the draft.

They need somebody to run the draft board.
He has experience doing it anyway.
Who knows, he might get poop canned after the draft.
- IonSabres

They did do that with the Bills

If that’s true Botts is out of touch.

A. Eichel should absolutely have gotten max term.

B. It’s rare guys will take short term to play for a bottom feeder
- sbroads24

Doesn't matter if it a short or long, you got to get lucky. And they might take that short term so they have a chance to get out quicker if it doesn't turn around

My friend mentioned some time back that everyone at pse was looking over their shoulder concerned about their job security. Worried about calling in sick. (One employee) anyways. This has been coming for a while.

We all realize they are billionaires, but losing money sucks. Its really is a business. I would imagine the margins were expected to be much higher on their downtown restaurants as well. Bad play compounded for them. And they are part of the reason, for sure.

The Sabres have turned into a charity for the pegula's.

The one guarantee in Buffalo sports has been. we support our teams heavily at the gate/season tickets/ merchandise

A lot of that currently is gone. Kinda uncertainty in both the Bill's and Sabres.

The only "not spend with reckless abandon" move was the ror trade. They could have clearly "bought" more in return. I still think that was part spite, you lost your love for the game after we hired your brother and garauanteed your contract. 🤔
- Boss34

Meh.
Kerry and Tim Puglia are THE problem with the Sabres. Their 9 year history is all that needs to be considered. Together, they have trashed the organization and are well on the way to creating a generational void in the young fans of the team, which will continue to hurt them long term. Short-term, established fans may return...even probably return...but they are continuing to put that to the test. I have to believe that season tickets are and will continue to be down over the next couple seasons, creating even more financial pressure. It is a tight rope they are walking, and frankly the fanbase as a whole is less than enamored with them.

That said, I can't criticize them for cutting costs while the team will be idled for 6 months, and the AHL for likely until Oct 2021. Nor can I criticize them for cutting bait on scouting and development program that has largely failed the big club.

I can and will criticize them for selecting a GM who has no experience in Hockey Ops and leaving virtually nothing in the way of supporting such inexperience. That is a super high risk strategy.

Let's hope Adams has far reaching contacts with experienced people that are willing to join a poop show of an organization.

If that’s true Botts is out of touch.

A. Eichel should absolutely have gotten max term.

B. It’s rare guys will take short term to play for a bottom feeder
- sbroads24

Why though if he is paying them more and possibly setting them up for another payday with a higher contract based on higher recent earnings.

Why though if he is paying them more and possibly setting them up for another payday with a higher contract based on higher recent earnings.
- IonSabres

Plus they can leave sooner if the team is still bad.

If that’s true Botts is out of touch.

A. Eichel should absolutely have gotten max term.

B. It’s rare guys will take short term to play for a bottom feeder
- sbroads24

C) it’s also rare to win with overpaid guys who are on the back 9 since we had to overpay them to play here.

So it’s a lose-lose situation.

Draft well, resign your own, and make savvy trades.

If that’s true Botts is out of touch.

A. Eichel should absolutely have gotten max term.

B. It’s rare guys will take short term to play for a bottom feeder
- sbroads24

I agree but didn't GMTM negotiate the 8 year 10 mil deal? I thought that was done when he was here but I could be wrong.

No, I guess it was GMJB https://bleacherreport.co...8-year-contract-extension

Why though if he is paying them more and possibly setting them up for another payday with a higher contract based on higher recent earnings.
- IonSabres

Because you're talking about guys who are usually 28+ and already starting to decline. It's a massive risk for them.

https://twitter.com/AmerksHockey/status/1273685103730974721


- Stripes77

Because you're talking about guys who are usually 28+ and already starting to decline. It's a massive risk for them.
- Lunaion

Matt Moulson
Kyle Okposo
Villie Leino
Cody Hodgson
Jeff Skinner (will have to play with Eichel to even come close to earning that AAV)

Enough said.

Well need a few good trades, get lucky and have Lafreniere fall into are hands and try and talk Greiss to come play some goalie for us.

tank for Räty

Well need a few good trades, get lucky and have Lafreniere fall into are hands and try and talk Greiss to come play some goalie for us.
- Buff36

Crawford, Markstrom, Halak or GREISS. Probably all an upgrade.

tank for Räty
- homiedclown

No more tanking. Please

https://twitter.com/fried.../1273732499894611968?s=21

This organization is (frank)ed.

No more tanking. Please
- IndianaSabresFan

Shouldn’t have to. Take your stud forward prospect and get the phone lines working.

This organization is (frank)ed.
- feetontheair22

Jamal Adams wants out now too ?