Buffalo News

'That's how low the standard has become. Pegula goes 3-1/2 years without a press conference specifically about the Sabres, then he condescends to give us a brief exchange and we're supposed to feel grateful.' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan: If communication is key for Sabres, why are so many questions left unanswered?

'Pegula deserved credit for coming forward and addressing a few problems during his short presser at KeyBank Center. It certainly beat the alternative, which was hiding behind closed doors and hoping problems would disappear. He showed his face and provided generic insight into his intentions, knowing his next hire was critical.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason: Next step for Pegula is backing up words with action

'If the Sabres win now, it won't remotely be because they tanked. It will be because Pegula & Co. somehow found a way to hire experienced executives to fill out the roster, make deals and draft better. Murray's 2016 draft looks like it has some solid potential. But for all the correct bagging on Darcy Regier's poor drafts, it doesn't get enough play how bad Murray looks in … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: Pegula is right when he says Sabres need to fix character flaws

'Pegula called the report "fabricated," but I don't believe that. I can virtually guarantee WGR 550's Paul Hamilton received insight from a credible source. Perhaps that insight never floated all the way up to Pegula.' … [Read more...] about Insta-Graham: From under the fog, Pegula gets privy

'It's regrettable that Kim Pegula, who is one of the few powerful women in major sports ownership and is said to wield at least as much power as her husband behind the scenes, chooses to stand behind her man in these moments of crisis.' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan’s Hot Read: Pegula speaks briefly, says little

'Several times, Pegula outlined the franchise's core values – discipline, character, communication and structure – when hiring executives and coaches and acquiring players. It was a clear sign he wasn't happy with GM Tim Murray and questionable characters such as Evander Kane.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason’s Hot Read: Terry Pegula’s mea culpa was a start

'What did we learn? There might be a hockey czar, there might not be. It sounded like first-time GM candidates need not apply, which certainly seems to put two-time Stanley Cup winner Lombardi in the early lead. He regretted not being part of the decision three years ago when Pat LaFontaine hired Tim Murray as GM.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington’s Hot Read: More please, Terry

'With the Sabres, quickly I could sense the lack of unity and lack of chemistry because what they were doing was asking the wrong questions, such as: “What’s wrong with us?” “How come we can't put together a consecutive win streak?” “How come we can’t take what we’re practicing and apply it into games?” … It’s about asking better questions. It’s about really taking the onus on … [Read more...] about WNY sports performance coach breaks down Bills, Sabres woes

'Pegula will discuss the firings Friday morning.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fire Tim Murray, Dan Bylsma

'The players declined to embrace Bylsma’s style of play and teachings. There was talk of ignoring his X’s and O’s after victories, and there was a clear disconnect between what was shown during practice and what happened during games.' … [Read more...] about Just like Murray’s talks, exit of Sabres’ GM, coach came quickly

'What next, a cloud of locusts descending on HarborCenter and its environs?' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan: A dysfunctional, dreary day for Buffalo sports

'As unseemly as it is, it was apparent that the Sabres' players were going to get their wish and torpedo Dan Bylsma. Murray did that himself with last week's outlandish news conference that buried his coach, something you just never see. Maybe Terry and Kim Pegula didn't like that look and decided they had seen enough of Murray too.' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: With Tankmaster gone, a hockey czar is what Sabres need

'Terry and Kim Pegula need to come clean. They need to acknowledge that they were over their heads when they purchased the Sabres, that their abundance of misguided confidence came with a shortage of know-how, that their ownership is the primary reason for overall dysfunction, that they desperately need help.' … [Read more...] about Bucky Gleason: Pegulas should check mirror for source of Sabres’ biggest problem

'While this latest purge is a bold and warranted one, it surely doesn't paint the Pegulas as a stable sports ownership. Maybe they'll get it right this time, but it perpetuates the general dysfunction of their two major pro franchises and heightens the perception that they're over their heads owning multiple sports teams.' … [Read more...] about Jerry Sullivan’s Hot Read: One GM down, one to go

'Which leads us to this: Job one for the Pegulas is to fix what they botched when they fired Pat LaFontaine just over three years ago. It's time to get a real president of hockey to run this operation because the owners have no business picking a general manager or coach. Maybe it's deposed Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi, maybe Lindy Ruff wants to get out of coaching, maybe it's … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington’s Hot Read: Pegulas need to hire hockey czar, then get out of way