...

Not if they had no say in the matter. Assuming the leaks did not come from the Sabres, then the Sabres were not in control of the story. Perhaps the Sabres had planned for PLF to leave after the deadline, saying "PLF feels his job is accomplished and that the team is in good hands with TM and CP. PLF has decided that the he would only get in the way of any further advancement of the organization. Since his former job at the NHL has not been filled, the NHL is welcoming him back so PLF can return to NYC, which he misses." But, apparently someone jumped the gun, and they were only able to use part of what they had prepared for after the deadline.

All he says in the video is that he wanted to go there with Battista. If Battista was PLF's VP, I'm sorry, I don't see how that indicates anything other than a President taking his VP along for business; an incredibly unremarkable, mundane and common occurrence. On the Sabres' website, he is listed above GM as well. I don't know, did Black misspeak? Did Black try and deceive? I don't like Black, but I'm having a problem with the ever-growing web of probable mis-deeds. If I believed the premise that there was some sort of internal "power struggle" then perhaps I could respect these new threads of silky connivers. I do not buy the "power struggle" premise. I can not believe Pegula would go through all of the past three years and not learn from his mistakes - that he bought the Sabres to help facilitate his progression to Emperor of the World. I think he was happy to have PLF here over-seeing development of the team itself after learning he can't do it without a "hockey guy". I can see him, or any executive, being numb to executive level politics, but I think any sane business person will be extremely careful not to further damage an already damaged organization like the Sabres are. Battista is a hockey person, it's clear. I also can accept that it is likely he's being groomed to ascend the ladder further, but presently he has no NHL experience. If PLF was out before the big trade, and that seems likely based on the timeline the Sabres have provided, perhaps they rearranged the hierarchy and put Battista under Murray. That could have happened as early as last Wednesday. That would then make Black's comments accurate. So, to summarize, I think the premises are flawed: there is no evidence to suggest Pegula is meddling via his "inner circle". Pegula has proven to be patient, why would he back-peddle only months into his new outlook on owning a team when it took him years to get rid of Regier? I think the "power struggle" is a smokescreen. I think Nolan is suffering from shell-shock. The guy, in about four months, went from doing nothing special, to coaching a NHL team, coaching an outsider Olympic team into a respectable finish, to losing more-than-likely some of his favored/best players, to seeing his buddy resign in shame and a cloud of mystery, to having to decide whether he wants to commit long-term to this whirl-wind lifestyle. I would look like Nolan after all of that, if I would have stuck around this long, to be honest. I think this entire drama, is that, a drama that had to occur because of years of prior neglect and denial. It's all just happening at once now. Which actually works in favor of the organization: the more the demons that are exorcised, and the quicker that happens, the better.

Goodness, why do you have to ruin the fun with all of this rational stuff?

When one celebrates the beginning of a new era, one does not stop the celebration after one weekend.

The Enroth Era begins!

I agree with this. I find speculation based on the speculation of Buffalo News "reporters" unfortunate and worthless.

Pfffft! Did you see that big ass smile on Miller's happy face?

Wow, that was, like, a picture perfect power play.

I guarantee PLF is telling Nolan to sign the contract.

Harrington is a doooooooooooosh.

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!

Exactly. You're missing pieces.

You're barking up the wrong tree on this. I think you will be surprised what the end result of this is. I think Pegula has learned his lesson, and even this SNAFU, will make him a better owner in the end.

In context, TM was responding to whether Teddy has responded to the contract offer. TM confirmed they offered an extension and want Teddy here. If Teddy isn't responding to that, I can't blame the word selection by TM here.

I suppose this will work for now. Let's hope everyone buys into it and we can continue Christmas shopping. It's only 3 days away!

Now, if this were a Buffalo Bills presser, you know, something about they adding an additional hue of red to their helmets, STOP THE FRICKIN' PRESSES...WALL TO WALL COVERAGE.

The live stream is getting in the way of his pron...don't interrupt.

Our Buffalo media is third world-like. Yeesh.

"We want Teddy to be our coach going forward..." - Tim Murray

I'm guessing Murray will not reveal details so much as outline where they, or he, will be taking the team from here.

Rockin'!

Not a bad idea.

I could handle this press conference, easy peesy. I don't, either.

Re: first question, I'm just responding to PA. Re: second question, I don't think TP has the ability to handle this press conference the way it ought to be handled. The best they have for this, now, is Black.

Well, PLF is not around to put a happy face on it, so all he has left is Black.