I-90 W

That’s taking what I am saying out of context.

We would be idiots to trade Eichel based on the fact that he seems to not want to play here anymore, for someone who definitely does not want to play here. Marchand can’t even stand visiting here when he plays against us and has explicitly said so in print.

Marchand hates this city and the fan base pretty much feels the same.

Agree with all of this. Also I suspect it was a one-two combination of RK being fired and Hall going to Jack’s hometown Bruins that were the straw that broke his proverbial back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TEIdCKEE4E Begins at the four minute mark. Long story short he blames the Pegula's (particularly Kim), thinks Jack is out, and actually explains why the Pegula's are succeeding with the Bills while driving the Sabres into the ground.

Not to trivialize this conversation but one great thing about wearing masks is that it has enabled me grow a mustache with virtual anonymity. That counts for something.

You see that’s the thing though, it didn’t seem like venting IMO. There was a general sense of calmness and peace about him that leads me to believe he had decided that he wants to be moved and is at peace with that. He actually seemed pretty chill the entire time.

We don’t need a captain next season, giving it to someone too soon will cause more damage than it is worth. Let it happen organically.

And I think you’re confusing good player with leader.

These polls are fun, next you should do Anaheim and then NYR. These seem to be the three teams talked about most.

Let’s just hope a good old fashioned bidding war drives up the price to something like this.

I said except maybe Cozens, and only giving him the benefit of the doubt because we only have such a small sample size.

Nothing against Sam but I don’t see how anyone could say this team has any natural leaders at all, except maybe Cozens. Being a good player and not a head case doesn’t equate to being a good leader.

I see someone who is sick of losing and is also upset that their beloved head coach was fired. A player who essentially was involved with major decisions in the past and has now not gotten his way twice in a row. I don’t think for one minute this is truly and solely about the surgery, though it is part of it. But to the OPs point, his theory is certainly possible as I could picture KA saying those things. It fits the narrative. If that were true, and Jack spun it to be about the surgery, that would be pretty grimey.

Totally conjecture but can’t help but to wonder if the firing of RK has something to with all of this. Jack couldn’t speak more highly of him in the press conference and there was a tinge of disdain when he mentioned how RK was “fired”.

His demeanor didn’t seem like he was frustrated with the reporters or was maneuvering to get the surgery, it seemed like someone who wanted out. Ever work with someone who is about to put their two weeks in? They tend to be confident because they already have something lined up. He had that type of swagger and confidence, he was very cool and calm.

Yes, buzz word. Very fair considering how many times he said it. As far as him not trading Jack, it’s not very “logical” for you to think Jack is t going to be moved. Pretty much the entire league thinks the same judging by virtually everyone’s reaction that we have seen in the media. Read what you cited again, and slowly. My gripe is that they didn’t ask him the question, let him dodge it all he wants but it should be asked.

Oh wow, what was his response I missed that?

I think the culture of losing needs to be radically changed and it is going to take strong leadership within the locker room to do that. Also think we need to get more physical and grittier as that will help with morale.

I don’t know, it looked pretty organic to me.

It further strengthens my theory that there is a locker room/ culture problem. If he truly believes this it is his job to get rid of players who don’t want to be here. And he should know from his honest conversations who is who. Get rid of the skilled malcontents, and get skilled fresh players back for them.

Nope, there were so many missed opportunities that could and should have been asked. Personally I wish someone would have asked how much control as GM he really has.

I do think KA “gets it” as in he understands where our fan base is at and the importance of what that crest represents. For that I do like him. I’m not sure if he has anything else going for him though. Time will tell.

What I saw from the Hall episode on Beyond the Blue says otherwise; Terry and Kim are involved in everything. KA was running stuff by TP in real time and Kim was talking to Hall before he was signed on speaker with everyone. They need to just write the checks and back off. It’s as if I was a billionaire and owned the team, except I would be smart enough to realize I’m just a rich fan.

Can you imagine how hard the NYC media would hammer Brian Cashman if Giancarlo Stanton pulled what Eichel pulled? They would flat out ask Cashman if he was gonna trade him, and what assets would he want in return. They would smother him and not let it go until they had hard answers on record. The Buffalo Media feels like one of those town halls where you kinda feel like the candidate already knows what’s coming (though I know that’s not the case). Very soft.