Time and time again, those who invest in their business during economic hardships tend to come out stronger at the end of it.

I don't care about the fact they fired the 23 people they did in the scouting dept / front office as the results were below average. I don't mind them leveraging technology to HELP, but let's hope it isn't a large scale replacement. I love that Adam's talks about integrating Analytics into player evaluations and other aspects of hockey ops.
There IS some good nuggets there.

However, Duds just implemented the same type of overhaul with the Canes...experience would have reduced learning times an advanced the timeline of being proficient. He is a pretty shrewd talent evaluator. Him walking away tells me alot about this situation.

Hiring a guy as GM with zero front-office experience AND having nobody around to help mentor him, be a soundboard is stunningly irresponsible. I'll give HIM a chance, seems like a good guy and has been effective in other spots apparently... but his learning curve is likely going to be very very steep..hope he doesn't cause further damage.

I know a couple of people in Buffalo who have business dealings with them more than occassionally, both have said the same thing... very nice people, they are trying, but are also bullheaded and clueless. It is dangerous to the organization.
That seems to line up with what many insiders and reporters have said.

It is theirs to continue to f-up... just don't expect knowledgeable hockey fans to lap up their poop.
- IonSabres

Solid as always ion 👍

I'm not really sure if we need to hire anyone else at this point. Duds would have been great. My understanding is he's 71 years old and kinda wanted a part time advisor job. From there it fell thru.

Commitment issues perhaps

What were doing in july 2020 isnt what we will be doing when the draft and season starts. The pegulas will make a splash hire.

I really like the combo of Adam's and ralph. Add in another hockey mind with experience, and we're off 😉

They aren't going to hire a president, so give it up.

You want the Sabres to make a profit? Then enjoy the cap at about 65-70 million.

Keep beating the yacht narrative or that they want to maintain their lifestyle. Who the f*ck wouldn't? The Sabres aren't a charity organization, or shouldn't be and no owner will lower the way they live so people like you can get a rush watching them on TV and raise your sad lifestyle. They own the team, they want input so be it. If fans don't buy tickets, maybe they sell or it moves and there is no team to b*tch about.
- GilPerreault11

Now that they have the Bill's, I won't be surprised to see them sell within 5 years.
To help with revenues
1 - increase prices on tickets, but pretty hard to do when they have been a bottom producing franchise for 9 years and has found numerous ways to insult and alienate the fanbase. Is this prelude to moving the team...myst be getting advice from John Y. Brown Jr. / Irv Levin
2- find ways to charge for MSG games directly to the viewer at say $7.50 a game versus some low share of $5/$10 per month
3- create a new section in the 200's that caters to higher-end consumer by providing a better atmosphere with better food and drink selections couple with better viewing. They are old school in this regard..need to kick it up 2 or 3 notches
4 - charge $1.50 per game per person to access wifi ... install more metal clad around the building to eliminate cellular signals.
5 - raise beer and liquor prices.
6 - charge extra to have more that 2 seats together
7 - turn the lights off in the 3rd period unless attendees venmo $4 per person.

They aren't going to hire a president, so give it up.

You want the Sabres to make a profit? Then enjoy the cap at about 65-70 million.

Keep beating the yacht narrative or that they want to maintain their lifestyle. Who the f*ck wouldn't? The Sabres aren't a charity organization, or shouldn't be and no owner will lower the way they live so people like you can get a rush watching them on TV and raise your sad lifestyle. They own the team, they want input so be it. If fans don't buy tickets, maybe they sell or it moves and there is no team to b*tch about.
- GilPerreault11

If you actually read back the reply was to gerbe asking “what do you want them to do”. I want them to check their ego at the door and hire someone who knows the business and walk away.

You know kinda how the previous owner did it. “Break even and go”.... they have put a garbage product on the ice mainly because they won’t get out of their own way. They have hired no one with proven experience at the top of the organization.

They inherited Darcy when they should have cleaned house.

They hired TM via patty lala... neither had Proven experience in their positions.

They hired botts, who had zero experience in the position

They hired ka who has less then zero experience in the position.

They hired one coach with head coaching experience.

Now they are relying on a coach who has less than 2 seasons as a head coach

And they Talked with one of the more experienced minds in the game and couldn’t even close that deal because they know better.

But I’ll keep watching crap hockey...

Well you can all believe what you want but I know there was a trade worked out for Domi and Conor Garland from Arizona for ROR about 2 1/2 weeks before the bonus was due, and Botts was not allowed to pull the trigger, 2 days later Domi was traded to Montreal.
- Buff36

That wouldnt fit the narrative that he had to move him before the bonus was due. If it was 2 and a half weeks before the bonus was due, why wouldnt he trade him?

Unless he thought the St. Louis offer was better...

If you actually read back the reply was to gerbe asking “what do you want them to do”. I want them to check their ego at the door and hire someone who knows the business and walk away.

You know kinda how the previous owner did it. “Break even and go”.... they have put a garbage product on the ice mainly because they won’t get out of their own way. They have hired no one with proven experience at the top of the organization.

They inherited Darcy when they should have cleaned house.

They hired TM via patty lala... neither had Proven experience in their positions.

They hired botts, who had zero experience in the position

They hired ka who has less then zero experience in the position.

They hired one coach with head coaching experience.

Now they are relying on a coach who has less than 2 seasons as a head coach

And they Talked with one of the more experienced minds in the game and couldn’t even close that deal because they know better.

But I’ll keep watching crap hockey...
- Gr8daygo

My cutting of the cord is perfect. No more paying for the NHL to watch that poop show.
No more paying for the NFL package either.
Supposed to get both included in my $40 monthly fee for virtually every channel... if it doesn't work...
Ce la vie

That wouldnt fit the narrative that he had to move him before the bonus was due. If it was 2 and a half weeks before the bonus was due, why wouldnt he trade him?

Unless he thought the St. Louis offer was better...
- Mentalorgasm5

Arizona didn't want him with that offer unless the bonus was paid by Sabres.
It fits perfectly.

Mid round picks are not the same as picks

21/25/31 in the same draft in year one of a rebuild.

Trading two second rounders + McNcabb for Hudson Fasching is NOT the same as trading mid round picks for Vesey and Frolik

Drafting Karabacek, Cornel, and Lemiuex in the same draft is not the same as picking Davidsson, Bryson and UPL in the same draft.

One was a better GM who way screwed by ROR and the owner, and then absolutely failed to replace him
- sbroads24

Solid & accurate post

Arizona didn't want him with that offer unless the bonus was paid by Sabres.
It fits perfectly.
- IonSabres

Its nuts, there is no evidence of this anywhere. Its all speculation, and people hung onto it like its directly from Botts.

If you actually read back the reply was to gerbe asking “what do you want them to do”. I want them to check their ego at the door and hire someone who knows the business and walk away.

You know kinda how the previous owner did it. “Break even and go”.... they have put a garbage product on the ice mainly because they won’t get out of their own way. They have hired no one with proven experience at the top of the organization.

They inherited Darcy when they should have cleaned house.

They hired TM via patty lala... neither had Proven experience in their positions.

They hired botts, who had zero experience in the position

They hired ka who has less then zero experience in the position.

They hired one coach with head coaching experience.

Now they are relying on a coach who has less than 2 seasons as a head coach

And they Talked with one of the more experienced minds in the game and couldn’t even close that deal because they know better.

But I’ll keep watching crap hockey...
- Gr8daygo

We all know who they hired but thanks for the history lesson and one coach has a SC, Housely was a hot commodity by some, not me, GMTM was hired by the golden boy Patty Lala who couldn't keep two prez jobs for much more than a month. GMJB was highly recommended and was also a hot commodity when hired. They came real close at getting Babcock but his wife wanted nothing to do with Buffalo.

Now, JB wanted Ralph and he still has a few years left and the many players love him which is more important than a bitter Sabres HB blogger's opinion, I hate to break it to you. Adams who knows he may fall on his face but they went for the hot commodity and that didn't work out either so I'm not worked up over it because people like you and other amateur writers are.

Solid as always ion 👍

I'm not really sure if we need to hire anyone else at this point. Duds would have been great. My understanding is he's 71 years old and kinda wanted a part time advisor job. From there it fell thru.

Commitment issues perhaps

What were doing in july 2020 isnt what we will be doing when the draft and season starts. The pegulas will make a splash hire.

I really like the combo of Adam's and ralph. Add in another hockey mind with experience, and we're off 😉
- Boss34

I like Ralph as a leader of men.
I don't think highly of Ralph as a game tactician, but I'll give him a chance to improve his:
-player utilization
-special teams

Who knows about Adam's. There is absolutely nothing to go on as far as running a hockey Ops department. Like I said, I'll give him a chance ... not expecting much this season. Best move will be taking no action with the UFA's...Ghofranni's blog showed there isn't alot of Cap space to significantly overhaul this roster with good, solid veterans who produce. In fact, it showed that he needs to move Montour, Risto and probably Sam over the course of the next two season while trading or letting Mojo walk.
Let's see how smart Adam's is.

Its nuts, there is no evidence of this anywhere. Its all speculation, and people hung onto it like its directly from Botts.
- Mentalorgasm5

Great line from the movie Midway that speaks well to this situation...when Nimitz asked his Intelligence leader ... "Do we know for sure?"

"No, but we can use clues. If a rumor of a large wedding is heard, and the fanciest restaurant is booked, with the best band booked...we have a good idea of a wedding date time and place, but we can't say for certain." ( paraphrasing rather than direct quite).

It could be false, sure. Very likely it is true though.

I like Ralph as a leader of men.
I don't think highly of Ralph as a game tactician, but I'll give him a chance to improve his:
-player utilization
-special teams

Who knows about Adam's. There is absolutely nothing to go on as far as running a hockey Ops department. Like I said, I'll give him a chance ... not expecting much this season. Best move will be taking no action with the UFA's...Ghofranni's blog showed there isn't alot of Cap space to significantly overhaul this roster with good, solid veterans who produce. In fact, it showed that he needs to move Montour, Risto and probably Sam over the course of the next two season while trading or letting Mojo walk.
Let's see how smart Adam's is.
- IonSabres

Ralph comes in and says we're gonna have grit and sand paper.

Botts signed vesey and Johansson


You cant make these soft guys any grittier.

Hopefully ka and ralph are on the same page.
Didnt seem like botts and ralph were?

Bogo continued to play, after it was obvious he sucked.

Who's call? It's easy to say the coach, but who knows?

Pettersson and Barzal jumped right into the show and produced. Keller and Boeser did well also.
Cozens is a very good prospect. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him have a strong year with the extended offseason.
- Pegullaville

Hopefully Mitts has been working his a$$ off too

If he & Cozens are legit top6 forwards,
this team looks a ton better

We all know who they hired but thanks for the history lesson and one coach has a SC, Housely was a hot commodity by some, not me, GMTM was hired by the golden boy Patty Lala who couldn't keep two prez jobs for much more than a month. GMJB was highly recommended and was also a hot commodity when hired. They came real close at getting Babcock but his wife wanted nothing to do with Buffalo.

Now, JB wanted Ralph and he still has a few years left and the many players love him which is more important than a bitter Sabres HB blogger's opinion, I hate to break it to you. Adams who knows he may fall on his face but they went for the hot commodity and that didn't work out either so I'm not worked up over it because people like you and other amateur writers are.
- GilPerreault11

Good history lesson.
Who knew?

Good history lesson.
Who knew?
- IonSabres

It has more detail behind the history

They might he is in the same class as a Pettersson im just hoping he works his ass off and not be casey 2.0
- gerbe75pts

Petersson is a winger, not a center. A lot more responsibility for a center

Petersson is a winger, not a center. A lot more responsibility for a center
- turbo044

I said "class" as he can jump in right away

I said "class" as he can jump in right away
- gerbe75pts

If your talking about cozens, sink or swim.

If he puts up 35 -40 points as a rookie 2c , learns ,but struggles at times. How bad is that?

Big difference is work ethic, size and nhl speed.
Mitts - lazy. Small/out of shape. slower

If your talking about cozens, sink or swim.

If he puts up 35 -40 points as a rookie 2c , learns ,but struggles at times. How bad is that?

Big difference is work ethic, size and nhl speed.
Mitts - lazy. Small/out of shape. slower
- Boss34

I think Cozens should be eased in as the 3rd line center and not rushed in as the 2nd line center like Mitts and if later on in the season he is ready then move him to 2nd if they haven't dealt for one.

If your talking about cozens, sink or swim.

If he puts up 35 -40 points as a rookie 2c , learns ,but struggles at times. How bad is that?

Big difference is work ethic, size and nhl speed.
Mitts - lazy. Small/out of shape. slower
- Boss34

Never said it was bad but hopefully he is training his ass off right now

Its nuts, there is no evidence of this anywhere. Its all speculation, and people hung onto it like its directly from Botts.
- Mentalorgasm5

Why do you think he was traded like two hours before midnight on 6/30? Because the bonus kicked in at midnight.

He was forced to trade him by then. You can believe it or not but it’s painfully obvious

Draft tentatively set for Oct 6.

Free agency, Oct 9.

Chad Dedominicis from DBTB has said numerous times that the Sabres were negotiating with the Canes and Coyotes for ROR and it involved Lindholm from the Canes and Domi from the Yotes.

Both budget teams who wouldn’t pay the bonus. Once the Sabres told them they weren’t paying the bonus those two teams made moves and Botts was stuck

Chad Dedominicis from DBTB has said numerous times that the Sabres were negotiating with the Canes and Coyotes for ROR and it involved Lindholm from the Canes and Domi from the Yotes.

Both budget teams who wouldn’t pay the bonus. Once the Sabres told them they weren’t paying the bonus those two teams made moves and Botts was stuck
- sbroads24

Lindholm.

*sighs

What could have been.

Chad Dedominicis from DBTB has said numerous times that the Sabres were negotiating with the Canes and Coyotes for ROR and it involved Lindholm from the Canes and Domi from the Yotes.

Both budget teams who wouldn’t pay the bonus. Once the Sabres told them they weren’t paying the bonus those two teams made moves and Botts was stuck
- sbroads24

Wouldn't that have been one of the first parts of the discussion for the foundation of a deal, whether the Sabres would pay the bonus that was coming up or push it off on the other team?