Ghost of Dwight Drane

$245 due to precedent.

Toronto -220 Buffalo +180

http://www.buffalonews.com/columns/bucky-gleason/an-older-wiser-nolan-embraces-second-chance-20131114

Maybe the profanity filter autocorrected the term to cats?

Sometimes you just have to get the guy in the door. If Nolan doesn't make a dent on this team, then Patty looks stupid. Nolan by his emotions, showed just how much not only coaching in the NHL meant to him, but coming back to Buffalo means to him. His wife dropped the F-bomb for heaven's sake! I think Terry Pegula has righted himself in many categories with these hires. I firmly believe he loves following hockey and wants to win a Stanley Cup here. I know enough about Lafontaine to feel he is perfect for this fast-paced transition. I also think Ted Nolan has a burning heart of righteousness that was slightly conflicted his first stint here. With age and growth, you can just see he wants this. As long as he doesn't overdo it, I can very easily see him as coach into next year. This could be almost biblical in storyline over the next few years. The idea is there right now. Just pray that it goes as smooth as possible. To quote Mrs. Nolan...."You gotta be F'n kidding me?!!!" It's time.....

Pat has a total logical plan. He sounds like many of us here....build a balanced team through a variety ways, but you need guys who have that special quality to get it done in the playoffs. I'm sure he told Pegula point blank that the original idea of free agents wasn't bad. It was just clueless in assembling workable chemistry and was not playoff efficient on balance. He also did say that impact guys tend to come from the front of the draft. But in reality, you know you are pretty much getting a top 5 pick this year. They already have extra ammo in picks the next 2 years, so I'm sure his plan isn't a total sell off now. They all said and Terry and Ted admitted....they need to change the culture of this team. That's a big admission, no matter how much they tried to spin things otherwise. Really....I think it was a simple as Darcy failed miserably with an open checkbook, and did some spreadsheet hocus pocus to convince Pegula that tanking is the way to go. There are no expectations to win, and he had a 3-5 year free pass and a job. Whoops!!! Backfired! Welcome to the world of actual hockey men trying to find men who play hockey. After 7 years of playing fantasy GM and business analyst on this board, it is nice to finally be able to sit back with a Mai Tai and relax....just being a fan again. Like you said...the statue is down and in all honesty.....I just want to forget about that guy after we all have our proper timeframe of celebration and catharsis. The plan: 1) Change the culture of what is expected on and off ice from all employees 2) Play out the year and ditch the dead wood 3) Miller, Ott and Moulson become fair game again. You only have 3 months to figure it out, but all 3 are worth keeping at the right level 4) Enjoy your #1-8 draft pick next year and extra picks 5) Trade and target in FA, quality players who can get you the last 16 wins, not necessarily the first 82 I'd expect the internal goal just switched to having a team capable of making the playoffs next season and being a Stanley Cup contender in 3 years. There is no M/O other than the word BALANCE. If it makes sense to ship out young guys...do it. At the same time you can bring in a young guy. BALANCE is always the key and you can hear that philosophy loud and clear from Patty. This is going to be fun. Win or lose, now everyone is actually going to be trying.

Toronto -135 Buffalo +115

Awesome... Like Sabre Dance said...don't get lax. And there are tons of programs out there for free mammograms. Hell, the Sabres bought a bus for one. And if you have any Dr. friends, try and get the imaging from the place and have them take a look. I had a radiologist that was a Darcy, and he punted on any diagnosis. I got a 2nd opinion at Roswell and was on the table at 6am the next morning. It's probably nothing, so celebrate. Sounds like Dr. Weave is going to have a patient himself tonight!

I'm not privy to medical records.....how about we go with, Pegula's Je ne c'est quoi?

I follow you... The good thing about Lafontaine is that he left NY after a month because he couldn't handle Wang. (I know...I know...) Having gone through that episode, I hope he'd be a bit more cautious in his dealings. My guess is that Lafontaine feels he can deal with a little bit of Terry's cra-cra and feels he will be allowed to do his job. If Lafontaine jumps ship in the next year or so....then we panic.

OK....here's an interesting storyline... How will Hodgson fare under Ted Nolan? It's one thing to be called out and benched as a floater by Ron Rolston, but given the family backstory and Nolan's insistence on bringing 100% effort and intensity, is Hodgson going to be the poster boy for setting the guys straight? If you're going to make a guy work til he pukes, he sure seems like the target.

:cry: :)

Thank you my friend.....thank you.

Today is a day that renews faith. Wrongs will be righted and the truth eventually is divulged through nature. As far as hockey goes, I believe Mr. Pegula wants to win a championship in Buffalo. As far as anything else.....I use the 16 year lapse in justice that was instituted today as the law of the land. I am much more confident in talking of the former GM's motives than those of the current owner. Give me another 13 years and I will have a clue. :)

In my best Johnny Carson voice...."Ooooouhmmmm....not so fast my friend....." http://www.buffalonews.com/article/19970702/CITYANDREGION/307029882

Why did you have to do this to me? Not an occult sacrifice?.......

I nominate this thread closed.....with one last entry...... http://www.buffalonews.com/article/19970702/CITYANDREGION/307029882

I wrote last night that this is the first time I wouldn't want to GM this team. For the past 7 years....I thought there was enough here to be competitive and turn it around in fairly short order. As a builder of a champion, I don't envy Lafontaine (by the way...autocorrect always changes this to a small "l").....we will not be a true Stanley Cup contender for the next 3 years at least in my opinion. That's what is sad. We reached critical mass of suckitude. I respect both Patty and Nolan as people, men, and hockey-wise. Sometimes you need to have a nasty side...and they do, but it is part of what makes them trustworthy. I don't trust people easily, but I feel I can read people very well. I give 100% support to Pat, and while long term I am not sure if Nolan can be "the guy", he has the same ability to see through people and know who is a man, who is clueless, who knows better but is slacking, and who looks good but is evil. Pat corrected Pegula today and trounced on his line.....Nolan said he's going to look guys in the eye for "it". I have nothing to complain about, and I am as excited as I have been since 2006. Now maybe you think about keeping Ott and Miller. Now you know that Girgensons, and Zadorov, and Enroth will have an advocate and can maybe get to the leadership roles quicker. Now Weber can forget about the first 2 months and do his thing. Now Hodgson can decide if he wants to be a pretty boy or a leader. God Bless Us Everyone!

God Bless his soul then....

I don't know whether to listen to GR...or Christmas music.... Shock wearing off.....jubilation setting in..... I may go to the Basilica and light a candle to St. Jude for coming through.

See Chz'r....you were right. I'm outside looking in with no season tickets. Pegula figured it out before the total collapse. I'd kiss you, even if you were a dude! It's that kind of day! God Bless Us....Everyone!

The proof will be in the pudding! I'm actually a bit in shock. It will all sink in Friday when I tune in at 7:00 and for the first time in 7 years with 100% sincerity yell out..."F THE LEAFS!!!" It's over baby.....it's finally over. Sorry for the trademark infringement....this is probably more apropos..... Let's Go BUFFALO!!!

Ha! Ted Black has no idea how much easier his job just got. He and Terry don't fully understand what this community has been through and the detail which with dozens of examples of mistrust have been amplified by some fans, myself included. Much like I felt with Gailey and Nix with the Bills, I feel there is such an honest stewardship in key positions now that there is nothing to do but focus on positive energy. I can accept downspells, and mistakes, and losses.....because I know the guts of these guys. I also know that if there is a real problem up top, Lafontaine won't stay. He will accept suggestions on what color paint to use, and which room should be decorated first.....but he WILL NOT let his painting hand be held. Again. Thank you Ted and Terry. If I see Ted next Thursday I will convey my gratitude in person.

There is no room for negativity any longer. I am here for my team that has finally been freed from 2 decades of oppression. GO SABRES!!! I really like Rolston. I wish him the best. Good luck Darcy. My guess is he takes a job in the league offices. There is no celebration in anyone's misery. There is celebration however for the trust and freedom that has been installed.

Amen. We had this discussion in the "will there be trades" thread. I figured Patty would be the perfect guy to take this role at this point, and was talented and realistic enough for Pegula to bring in. I seriously have nothing to complain about. I trust Lafontaine. He may be skilled and a pretty face, but he will chop your ankles, spear your groin, and blow kisses to your girlfriend when on the ice. He is all class and a smart man off the ice. Perfect. Ted Nolan got a raw deal. I am so happy for him. The first thing he said is he's going to look into these players eyes and see who has "it". I trust him to weed out the slackers quickly. I'm ok with Devine staying. He is a passionate scout. This team has a FREE PASS from me now. I couldn't have asked for a better scenario.......as I have said before....the TRUTH always prevails!