K-9

True, he’s been here a while and I think he served as a comfort hire for the Pegulas after the Botterrill experiment, but I never saw KA as being a part of the hockey decision making process across three GMs and three coaches since Lindy left so I don’t blame him for their ineptitude at building a good franchise. Most of the time, I thought he was running the hockey academy at Harbor Center before they made him Sr. VP of Business Admin a couple years ago. Great point about his being a fly in the wall as he’s certainly had ample opportunity to see how people relate with others in the building. I wonder how much that informed his opinion on things like character, etc. for various players.

I didn’t realize you were expanding the scope of the discussion to include issues other than the stalemate over the neck injury, so I thank you for the clarification. I agree wholeheartedly with you on what got Jack and the others to this point of frustration and wanting out. Can’t blame them for that at all. But I don’t hold KA responsible for much, if any, of it. And, ironically, Eichel, Reinhart, Risto, Kane, Bogo, ROR, etc. all contributed greatly to the continued futility over the last 10 years as they were here for a good portion of it. They simply weren’t up to the task, KA recognized this and tried to accommodate their desire to get a new start elsewhere. If not for the injury to his neck, Eichel would have joined them by now as well.

I can’t seem to find any articles on college hockey players getting the ADR surgery. Can you point me in the right direction? That testimony would be a boon to Eichel I would think.

Clear to whom? Where is Eichel’s direct quote saying that?

Strict PSE austerity measures. On another note, does Rasmus actually look happy to be there? Like he wants to be there? Or is that just a fake to appease Adams? Hmm.

More like “JACK’S NECK IS A WRECK AS SABRES EMBARK ON NEW TREK”

I agree entirely. But in reading some of the hit pieces this morning, I had to wonder if another propaganda campaign was being orchestrated. Anyone who took the time to actually watch the Adams presser would know how sensationalized those articles were. Hell, before I watched it and just heard about supposed “statement” Adams made regarding the captaincy issue, I was wondering how he could be so callous to the gravity of situation. But after watching it and seeing that Adams was merely responding to the first question concerning that issue, and already seven minutes into the presser, I came away knowing how blown up it really was. It was downright innocuous. Also meant to add, is throwing shade at the team the only way for an agent to show his client in a good light?

The only “role” I see the Sabres having played is their collectively bargained and legally protected role in determining and recommending a prescribed course of treatment. Period. These drama queens in the media with their childish narratives and click bait headlines are absolutely clueless to the facts.

I had heard that Brisson was the consummate professional but then again, he works for Eichel, so it at least begs the question.

Mike Traikos, author of the hit piece in The National and every other myopic writer on this subject should be made to read this post. There are so many legal and medical complications to this and they need to be respected. But no, instead we get hacks like Traikos who accuse the Sabres of “acting out of spite” in relieving Eichel of his captaincy. Acting out of spite? Is Traikos stuck in 8th grade? I gotta wonder if Eichel and Co. aren’t seeking out sympathetic “journalists” in their quest to manipulate public perception. They certainly did in the summer with ex-agent Fish. Would Brisson stoop as low?

Well, I’m not about to wade thru the entire CBA to fiNd out.

I agree, but the agent isn’t in control here, Jack is. Anyway, I don’t see why the Sabres legal team couldn’t at least present those options. I really wish we had a fly on the wall at that meeting with the Sabres, Eichel, and the NHLPA. It’s beyond curious that nothing came from that.

So, why hasn’t Eichel just done that already?

Couldn’t the liability issues be negotiated? Could the Sabres agree to let Eichel have his preferred ADR procedure in exchange for removal of the NMC and a signed waiver saying Eichel assumes all responsibility for any complications that may arise post-op? On the surface it just doesn’t seem like a complicated matter and you’d think the lawyers would have been all over it by now.

Well, that would void his contract so I hope it’s at least a $50m policy. Might be tough finding an underwriter for that.

You say that like it’s a new phenomenon around here.

Makes sense that Adams, being able to observe interactions among players, coaches, etc. over the years that he could have seen something he didn’t like. Brian Gionta was on a podcast a couple months ago and he was talking about the kind of people that were around the building and mentioned that some guys were just not good professionals, particularly when it came to respect for the trainers, equipment managers, various other building personnel,etc. Said they were complete pricks towards people at times. I assumed he was talking about the Kanes and Bogos of the world, but maybe it was other players as well.

Kevyn Adams Donates Own Cervical Disc To Eichel In Bid To Facilitate Surgery

Why do you suppose Adams didn’t want Eichel here? What occurred that prompted this view of the best player on the team?

Honestly, is tanking at all necessary to ensure this team finishes last in the standings? Even with that playoff goaltending?

My money is on Watson because Johnny seems to be intractable in his position on the matter and the season will be over by the time he’s ready to resume play. Then again, Watson has the legal issues hanging over his head, not to mention the unknown disciplinary measures the league may impose. Tough call.

If Brisson had the wherewithal to do that, it already would have been accomplished so, apparently, he’s as inept as Adams in that regard. I suspect there are 31 other medical staffs around the league who agree with the Sabres’s doctors as well.

To be fair, Lemieux and Woods had issues with discs in the lumbar region vs. the neck. That said, I’ve learned that both Kris Letang and Derek Dorsett are two NHL players who’ve undergone the ACDF procedure that the Sabres prefer.

We will find out soon enough.