...

The truth will set you free.

I think the fallout from this will result in: Teddy being offered a contract he can't refuse. Patrick taking over as PoHO. No further ripples within the league. Tons more wild speculation until the truth comes out, but the truth will have to come out in some form because the impact of this, ah, event, is swinging too far in one direction. The Sabres will be no worse off in the end.

Is that the dude formerly known as lastpommerfan?

Hey man, I like your questions. How much do you want for them? I give you 5 dollar.

It doesn't matter what the hockey-related issue was. What matters is the structure of command within the upper ranks of the organization; PLF thought his role was one thing, Pegula, ostensibly, thought PLF's role was something else. The manner at which this was revealed was in such a way as to have clearly insulted PLF. Who let this happen? Who were the players? Did Murray appeal directly to Pegula? Who, exactly was above PLF in the hierarchy? Did Patrick and Murray sit across from PLF in a boardroom, Pegula flanked by Benson and Sawyer, Black is digging through the bar refrigerator looking for oj or something, and disagree with PLF, leaving Pegula to make a decision right there, like a king in his court, but first consulting his advisors on each side, and the fool at the refrigerator? "We must tank, my lord..." "Yes, I agree, the tanketh must floweth..." "Only a FOOL would not stock OJ, my lord, and not tank, too.." "Patty, Patty, I love you, you know that...but you hired these guys to make hockey decisions, and you're not agreeing already? Patty, we have to get this show on the road..." "Terry, my lord, you gave me the keys to the army! You said I can do whatever it takes to win you victories and bring home glories! You must, sir, MUST trust my judgment." "Patty...Patty reach over there and grab me an OJ, would you? Thanks, yeah. Patty, it's not that I don't trust your judgment, but my advisors tell me Murray and Patrick's plan is the way to go. You know? What's wrong with, you know, trusting our judgment here? We're pretty smart guys, I think." "But, but, my lord, that is not what we talked about upon your ship, that wonderful day many months ago. You were to allow me to execute my vision..." "Yeah, I know, but, Patty, aren't these guys your vision? Right? I mean, right?" If Patrick is staying, I assume he's okay with whatever happened, and is, perhaps involved in opposition to PLF.

Well, I think it's pretty clear Terry Pegula is horrible at chess. A truly intelligent leader sets up his ranks so that none of this happens: he realizes he needs to ignore his ego to achieve success (and survival). If he knew his people, and himself, he'd have seen this outcome coming before it happened. If he knew that at some point the vague description of duties would eventually need to be clarified, and that clarification would be an insult to a soldier, then he either chooses to take that path (knowing the outcome), or revise his strategy.

We will get the cleanest of brush-offs from both sides because they're still working in the same league and have to play nice with each other, or suffer the wrath of Bettman.

Oh boy! Still a ton of guests reading through these pages. I hope we're entertaining. Give us a shout out if you use some of what you read here on air! :flirt:

That's an interesting question, because I wouldn't consider Murray and Patrick part of a group referred to as "the inner circle", I would consider those two "staff", "executives", "employees". The "inner circle" guys are the ones who advise Pegula beyond whatever duties they may have in the organization (unless, of course, the position is that of "advisor", generally). But, that raises the question of whether the "inner circle" is indeed referring to folks like Black, Murray and Patrick. If that's true, PLF must feel betrayed, especially by the latter two, which could explain why the situation was described as "ugly" I think more than once.

Maybe, just maybe, PLF is allowing himself to fall on the sword BECAUSE of the Battista's and Sawyer's and whoever else comprises the "Inner Circle" - maybe PLF is trying to get these guys to embarrass Pegula so Pegula (finally) re-evaluates these people who whisper in his ear. Maybe. Or not.

Uh huh. Again, whether PLF wanted to attempt to resign Miller or trade him, if Pegula hired him to over-see hockey operations, and then allows his stooges to trump PLF's decision(s), I do not blame PLF for getting a chip on his shoulder and skipping town.

I decided that my time would be better spent trying to divine twitter rumours without actually touching a computer.

I don't think we can consider Black a member of Pegula's "inner circle". This dude has read this thread. These points were made hours ago here.

If this were a planned, amicable seperation, it wouldn't have gone down like it had. Since it's a seemingly far, far left field event, it's something to be concerned about, IMHO.

To be clear, I said Pegula was an "unrepentant meddler", not PLF. I'm also defending PLF's position that, if he were told the hockey department was his to run, Pegula shouldn't be over-ruling PLF's decisions (whether I agree with the decision or not).

What do you know? If you know something that puts it into perspective, better to put it out there rather than a drive-by mild insult. All of Sabre Nation that has online access seems to think this is "something", if message boards, Facebook, and Twitter are any indication.

Miller had said he didn't want to stay. What would you say if Miller walked for nothing? Who would you blame: TM or PLF?

Liason Figurehead.

Unless he's no better than Regier at it.

OMG the overhead cam is a bit much.

If I'm motivated, I'll go back and watch Murray's introduction presser. If memory serves, they said they didn't discuss player or coaching moves during the job interviews.

I have heard Murray say, several times now, that they're working on an extension. Someone earlier reported hearing Murray say the same thing elsewhere, plus elaborated with his (apparently positive) opinion on Teddy's ability to coach younger players. The tweets from "trusted" sources indicated this had nothing to do with Nolan. Watching Murray's interviews, he strikes me as a person who has little patience with spinning webs of deceit. I think Hamilton's tweet about the 3 year extension is probably close to the truth and that Nolan's future with the Sabres is in his hands. Perhaps the sticking point in the contract negotiations isn't money, but the "clash" that just unfolded today.

Not if Pegula told PLF that the hockey department was his baby.

Sabres PR people trying to manipulate the dialog, just ignore them. We all know WGR gets its talking points from here, and the rest of the fanbase takes their cues from WGR. The Sabres are trying to manage the spin at the source.

Murray obviously went over PLF's head to get the Ott/Miller deal done. In effect, PLF did his job too well; he hired a pittbull of a GM. PLF didn't like the move, decides to quit after learning Pegula is an unrepentant meddler.