nfreeman

This sounds like a train wreck that I will probably listen to. Again: the question is not whose decision it was, or whether TP wanted to do it -- the question is whether DR didn't want to sign those guys but TP made him do so. I will need links for that, specifically, before I concede. Otherwise it's spin and repetition.

I remember the spending spree occurring, and I remember TP voicing his support of it -- it's the crucial "it happened despite Darcy's wishes because TP wanted it" element of @PASabreFan's assertion that I don't remember any support for.

Is the bolded anything other than pure speculation? I don't think I've ever seen any support for these statements.

@john wawrow -- Just wondering if you have any info on this?

Excellent article in the Athletic about some serious issues the NHL is facing as it prepares to resume the season: https://theathletic.com/1883384/2020/06/20/guys-are-not-happy-how-the-nhls-positive-tests-will-impact-return-to-play/

Just keep trying. That is by far the most important component.

Bumpity bump. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads here. Good man.

So — sounds like you think it’s pretty likely that KA will substantially improve the team!

I’d guess that @SwampD is wondering whether whomever @john wawrow spoke with in preparation for writing that article had an agenda that he/she was promoting. That’s not a mean-spirited insinuation IMHO. (Similarly, when I wondered in a different thread whether @john wawrow had read TP’s purchase agreement for the Bills and if so how ironclad the no-move clause was, I intended no snark. Perhaps this is what @That Aud Smell was referring to when he mentioned how tones can be misconstrued online that wouldn’t be in person.)

I’m nominating @GASabresIUFAN as captain of Team Stormcloud 2.0. And I’m starting his tenure with a friendly wager: I’ll bet the Sabres finish with at least 90 pts next year, which will represent a material improvement over the 80 they projected to finish with in JB’s final season. $20 to the charity of the winner’s choosing? I think if RK had wanted to keep Taylor, they would’ve kept Taylor.

Well, I think a number of posters have stood up for you in this recent back-and-forth and have made it clear that they want you here, they respect your work and they don't expect you to reveal your sources. Yes indeed. You should of course do as you see fit, but I am certain that the vast majority of posters here, including me, would love to have you as a regular contributor. As I mentioned upthread, I recognize that this would require you to let some annoying stuff slide by, but we all have to do that here -- it's just part of message board conversation. I agree that some posts have indeed essentially demanded that you identify your sources, and that this is ridiculous. However, I don't think there is anything wrong with observing that your sources may have their own agendas, which is I think what @LGR4GM was driving at. The bolded is interesting info. Glad you mentioned it.

It seems pretty likely that the Pegulas shared the results of the external review with KA, told him that they wanted to get rid of the underperformers and rebuild the organization to be leaner/cheaper and more effective, and asked him to produce the specific chopping block list and then execute the layoffs upon being named GM.

I'd like to be in charge of kitchen snacks. I assume under the new financial directives we're going to be shopping at Costco, and buying house brand only.

A goaltending upgrade is also part of the bare minimum IMHO.

This is an apt description -- resignation that despite a mountain of evidence in favor of dumping Hutton, JB would grimly see it through with him. RK, who is more immediately accountable for wins and losses than JB was, should have a different perspective.

That kinda sounds like Dudley's agent inviting KA to give him a call. I would be extremely psyched if this were to happen. Among other things, Dudley looks like he can still win a 3:00 AM bar brawl.

You wouldn't want to be an NHL GM?

Elliotte Friedman said on TSN today that TP had brought in an outside consultant to do a full review of the organization, and that it played a role in their decision.

I don't agree with your pessimism, but you are certainly entitled to it, and this was an excellent rejoinder.

Tim Graham bringing the heat tonight in the Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1876956/2020/06/16/graham-pegulas-end-up-in-another-unwinnable-position-of-their-own-making/

Well, the possibility would have been obvious to anyone, as JB was coming off of 2 terrible years in his 1st 2 years on the job. It doesn't mean RK was being macchiavellian in taking the job or that he slipped the knife in yesterday. But I think you're right that a desire to dispel that notion underlay those comments.

The two teams that most abased themselves in the you-know-what. Not a coincidence.

The bolded has the cold ring of truth, or at least a very plausible theory. But hoping for them to sell continues to be a huge mistake. Oh! Oh! Shots fired! I think you're right about the daughters, thank goodness.

I think he's UFA in 2 more years, innit? If so, this is not the right contract for him.

Is today Black Tuesday? Will it be a day that will live in Sabres infamy? It might be. Certainly the signs are there. I'm going to choose optimism for now, and focus on the following: - TP has spent at or close to the cap pretty much every season and there is no indication that this will cease to be the case (that would've been a good question to ask today, btw). - I like RK, who is pretty clearly the new head of the organization, and I think TP does as well -- and as @dudacek pointed out, it's quite possible that today's cuts were made following consultation with RK. - Adams seems like a solid guy with a great attitude. - Even with Adams' lack of experience, he will probably do a better job than each of his 2 immediate predecessors. - Other than maybe Chris Taylor, I am hard pressed to think of anyone who was let go today who had clearly earned the right to keep his job. - TP is clearly cutting costs, but we have no idea how deep and how permanent these cuts will be. He said hiring an experienced assistant GM was possible and no decisions had been made on that. He also said he is not having any financial difficulties (and that he still has an oil company -- I think there was some uncertainty about that in a different thread). - The Sabres probably won't play a game until around Xmas, and the AHL may not be back at all next year. I expect them to staff back up (but not all the way back up) as we get closer to Xmas and as the AHL situation resolves. In the meantime, it's not crazy to cut costs from a grievously underperforming organization when there is nothing to do for the next few months. - The Sabres have a franchise C, 3 other legit forwards, a terrific forward prospect in Cozens, a franchise Dman, at least 3 other legit Dmen and cap space to fill out the roster. They also have a good leader-of-men type at coach and a lottery pick this summer. They have needs, like most teams, but it's not an insurmountable wall. I'm not leaving. Go Sabres.