darksabre

It sounds ridiculous, but it aligns with what we're seeing, does it not? I'm not saying there isn't a better approach, like what you're suggesting (which I agree with). I just think they've decided to go with the plan of holding that cap space open and planning to pay guys even if they haven't hit yet. I generally think they aren't planning to hit the playoffs in earnest until 2027. Any attempts at arriving earlier will be due to younger guys exceeding expectations.

That's why I'm hesitant to call it an Austerity plan. I think Pegula has spent PLENTY of money on players that have gotten the team no further ahead. I think Adams has made the case that he doesn't need to do that, at least not in the short term. "Spend the money when it counts" is likely the ethos driving things. Given how badly the team has played so far this season, I think it's possible that spending to the cap wouldn't have improved their position much. It's debatable, but I think it's an argument that should be entertained. What's the ROI on spending to the cap with this current team? It probably isn't the playoffs, as we are seeing now. It would not surprise me at all that the consensus inside the building, among the stats folks, Adams, and Terry, was the same this offseason. Which I'm sure will upset many people.

I'm not going to defend Adams, but I have a hard time with the classification of him as a puppet. It's a little melodramatic. I think it's more likely that he and Pegula are simply in agreement on how to proceed. We may not like it, but I don't think that makes him a puppet. Keep in mind that if he wants to have a career as an NHL GM, he's investing in himself here. Being a yes-man probably doesn't land him another job. But being the guy who finally got Terry Pegula to stick to a plan does... if it works.

Bingo. So I think any additions this team makes will be guys on 1-3 year deals, vets or younger RFAs, probably with some playoff experience. And WRT to the vets, they'll be given assurances that if the team does not perform, they will do everything they can to send them to playoff teams at the deadline. Maybe by February 2026 we won't be sellers.

I mean, I think this mindset is precisely why they shipped Skinner out. They wanted that money for guys like Zucker instead of Jeff.

I think the question of "what" is wrong is still up for debate on our side of things as fans, but I think they've decided that "what" is wrong is that they've been too fickle with their decision making. The convenient excuse that has presented itself over the past year is that the NHL is now a "development league" given all of the expansion, so letting kids grow while playing NHL games is now a viable thing to do, even if they stink.

I disagree. I think he's actually somewhat aware, at long last, that the constant re-shuffling and changing of course that has plagued his reign since the day he fired Regier only months into a rebuild they both decided to engage in, has been to the team's detriment. I doubt he blames himself for it, but I think he at least recognizes that this team has been racked with turmoil for over a decade. Regrettably, he and Adams have decided on a course of action, and it appears they intend to stick to it, for better or for worse. I believe the age of Meddling Terry is actually largely over and that he wants to take a step back. Needing to fly to Montreal to quell rumors swirling around trades, the coaches and the GM, strikes me as something he'd prefer to avoid at this point. It's why he gave Adams the greenlight to give that ludicrous press conference. Adams was speaking for Terry. The fans are going to hate the rest of this season without a doubt. Because even if the kids start suddenly finding their game, the other parts that have trade value are getting sold off. It's going to be an ugly finish. And then they're going to roll into next season with largely the same roster again, maybe with some new filler pieces. Expectations will be low. And Terry isn't going to worry about it. Settle in everyone. If you thought "do something Darcy" was bad, just wait to see how mad this team makes you now that management has agreed to let things marinate.

I agree with this. I think the team made the decision to commit early to kids they believe still have a good chance of developing and then just ride it out. If most of them hit then those contracts end up looking pretty nice in about 2028. Thrilling stuff.

It's too bad that the other thread disappeared into the void, but my assertion that Adams has Terry sold on the whole "the NHL is a development league" thing that has been kicking around with the NHL talking heads looks correct. They're going to let the kids figure it out on their own and that's it. Can't be helped. Sorry about the playoffs guys, we're not even thinking about it.

Okay, it just shouldn't happen though. It's a sign that something is very very wrong.

I hate being right.

[FADE IN] SCENE: INTERIOR, MONTREAL VISITORS LOCKER ROOM. TERRY STANDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR, THE TEAM SURROUNDING IN VARIOUS STATES OF UNDRESS TERRY: Hi guys. I'm not sure how to start, but I felt the need to, uh, come up here to see everyone. Lindy here, geeze, Lindy is my hero. I've been a fan of the Buffalo Sabres for a long time. Those teams, they [COUGHS], they worked hard. Excuse me. [SIPS AN ICE COLD SMARTWATER] I think it's imperative that every player on this team realize that the only way to recover from this slump is to work harder. Back when I was a young businessman, looking to make my first million, I... [RAMBLES INCOHERENTLY FOR 10 MINUTES ABOUT SOMETHING NO ONE IN THE ROOM UNDERSTANDS OR RELATES TO] TERRY, CONT: Anyway, thank you guys. I am here for you. [TERRY TURNS AROUND AND HEADS FOR THE DOOR. HE PULLS ON THE DOOR FIRST, THEN REALIZES IT IS A PUSH DOOR, FINALLY EXITING THE ROOM] [THE PLAYERS AND COACHES SIT IN CONFUSED SILENCE. IN THE BACKGROUND, HONKY TONK BADONKADONK BY TRACE ADKINS CREEPS THROUGH THE WALLS AS THE ARENA STAFF TESTS THE PA SYSTEM] [FADE TO BLACK]

Exactly. Adams is an extension of Pegula.

I never tune in right at 3:00 but I made a point of it today. It's as good as expected.

I wasn't necessarily speaking to the work that needs to be done as much as the traits a person should have that are often overlooked because those in charge are not competent enough to recognize those traits. Which I believe is the case here. Pegula is not an effective judge of management talent and never will be.

The Buffalo Sabres, like many regular businesses, are failing because the culture that starts at the top with ownership and management is shot through with mediocrity. There is no vision, there is no tenacity, there is no humility. Just poor judgment and excuses. A rudderless ship. There's a very good chance that someone exists out there who could fix this mess, someone with talent and creativity. But they will never find a home at the Sabres.

FWIW BlueSky is having some issues today as they try to get a handle on the exponentially increasing user base. LOTS of big sports personalities showing up over the last 48 hours. Hopefully they'll have the hamster wheel turning freely again later today.

For those of you coming over to BlueSky, there are things called feeds and starter packs to help you build your following list. Check out this starter pack: https://go.bsky.app/3JSejAY And my custom Sabres feed: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:gb2oixzzczt3wnthetoptzcp/feed/aaaiylu6exrzu

I am not sure I have much else to say. Woof woof woof

My work here is done

Man, this team just does absolutely nothing for me. I see the names, but they might as well be something generated by ChatGPT.

Man, those are some lame names. Utah being the Beehive State seems like it would offer some interesting options.

See, doesn't everyone feel better now?

Dude has that Danny Briere stuff behind the net