Pimlach

Byram - Ask any GM or scout that knows how to spell his name. Pegula downsized PSG, which was a good thing, and he is raising cash. That could be to stay better focused on the teams, the new stadium, and the arena improvements - as of now that is all that is out there.

Oh, so now you want us to believe that all sports writers lied and made stories up with impunity, but it is better now because of the internet and social media? And Kelley made the HoF solely on popularity and longevity (even though he died at 61).

This is a take I would expect from you. Should he removed from the Hockey HoF and the Buffalo Sports HoF based on your insider information? If only we had the internet to police Jim Kelley. Troll on.

White home Uni's and a loud home crowd. Can we go back to White's at home? Is this a league rule to wear whites on the road? It stinks. Yes, it happened quick. They kept blowing the lead at home. The best of 3 opening round was very dangerous, no room for error.

Yup. Billy did a nice job until the playoffs. That was also the year that Schoeny, Guevremont, and Hajt all missed about half of the games with injuries. Hajt and Guevremont missed the playoffs too. This kid learned that year that Billy Hajt was really pretty dam good back there. That Sabres team just never got going and lost in the best of 3 first round playoffs 2 games to 1. They blew leads and lost both of their home games, losing to a very mediocre powder blue Penguin squad. The Sabres looked like they were playing with 20 pound weights on their legs that series. They were terrible in that playoff. The Imlach era was over. The next season started the Bowman era, with Scotty as both Coach and GM, something he had not done before. Next season also brought in the WHA franchises and the game started to change.

Pegula mandated this, along with a below cap salary roster, and along with the firing of many of the scouts and the FO rank and file. In the case of Reinhart, I believe they had a chance to extend him before the Covid rules - but that could have been JBot? Win now? Ok. I want to see that. It was not really there last season. Ruff has to influence this "win now" mandate and put his stamp on the roster. Again, I would love a tough player like Bennett. Just beware that we could give up a a good player for what could be a one year rental. Yes!

I would have fired him by now, but I also would not have had him operate with such heavy restrictions either. I think the Covid restrictions cost us Reinhart, Montour and Ullmark. I think Risto needed to go, and Eichel wanted out with his injury the key to accommodate that.

Bennett would be a great addition but I just don’t see it. It’s weird to think that Adams didn’t extend Reinhart, but then he later trades for and extends Bennett. If the Sabres fail again next season I am still not sure Adams gets fired. Pegula doesn’t trust anyone else, or so it seems.

Subban is obnoxious and a punk. Acts like he was a big tough guy, all his commentary is the same. Meanwhile, he is getting side eye from Messier, the ultimate warrior.

Trocheck gets another one. Former Panther is a really good player.

The problem is that Bennet could end up doing what other KA vets have done. If we have yet another bad season then Bennett will ride it out for awhile and then march into KA's office prior to the trade deadline and request to be moved by telling KA he wants out. If Adams trades for a 1, 2 or 3C then he needs to have term left on a contract that we can handle. Cirelli's contract will end up being a problem. Bennett's term could end being a problem. What else you got? And no, Benson is not a center. I think you know that.

One year is the problem and that is all he has on his contract. If we got Bennett, and he left in a year it would be complete waste and right back to square one. I would bet he would never want to come to Buffalo anyway.

Probably on Rosen. Maybe on the rest of your conjecture.

I have no problem with him vacationing. It’s normal and necessary. Now that I saw him without a shirt on, it’s clear he needs to pack some muscle on that frame. It’s not easy to keep weight on while playing hockey, and know one wants him to get slower, so he needs to do something this summer.

I don’t want Cirelli, or any 3C, at $6.25M for 7 years. We need a veteran 3 C for 3 years max, by then at least one of Krebs, Östlund, Savoie, Kulich, or Rosen better be ready. I prefer Monahan or Stephenson/Karlsson for less money and less term.

I am with you. Lance is a buttercup. I get almost nothing from his writings because he is just a cheerleader. Jim Kelley of the Buffalo News (aka Buffalo Evening News) is the level I want. I know that is asking a lot, and why would a Sabres fan do that? I could be on a business trip in LA, Chicago, Boston, or St Louis and read what Kelley wrote because their local hockey writers referenced him for insider information. Jim Kelly was the one of the most respected Hockey Writer's of his time. A three time president of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, highly decorated as a Hockey Journalist, and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is the level we once had, and what we should be expecting. We Buffalo Hockey fans, including our fans in Southern Ontario and all over, are getting the shaft. Not only for the lousy team play for the past 15 years, but the team coverage, the home game experience, and the acceptance of mediocrity that has become this once proud franchise. With RJ gone there is nothing left that connects us to the better days. Now it is all on Ruff to turn this thing around.

I think he has being facetious about the pool side pictures? Could be wrong. After looking at his pool pictures I do recommend he start hit the weight room harder than ever. Strength training every other day, until camp. Seriously, the kid needs to get on a muscle building program. I strive for superiority, without aloofness and/or sophistication.

No. I tried to add more two way players, but the other GMs reluctant to deal. Drafting Seiling over Bossy - We knew Bossy was going to score goals, but we needed more two way players. This was a mistake drafting for need, not BPA. Trading McNabb for Savard - I hated him spouting off about the fans. Only I can be outspoken like that. I sent Mahovlich packing, so why not this kid? Savard had the checking game we needed, but I should have sent McNabb to rot out on the West Coast. The only thing wrong with my core was finding a healthy goalie to withstand the playoffs. That was the difference in the Cup series and afterwards. Edwards and Sauve took a little time and Bowman benefited from them more than I did.

Are you talking about season 4? The fan base was still in love with the team. The team was hit hard with injuries in season 4. HC Joe Crozier paid the price though. I thought replacing him with Floyd Smith and then Marcel Pronovost were both steps down. No one wanted the GM fired either. By the late 70's it was a mild shocker when Imlach was removed, but replacing him with Bowman was re-energizing for the fan base (but not for many of the players).

You think Ruff will leap frog Adams?

He picked up lot of useful players in the early years that helped get them competitive. Jim Lorentz was another steal, got him in trade for a draft pick that never played.

There is a positive to this rumor. If true, Pegula is adding a layer that will put more insulation between him and the GM and the Coach.

Luce was the throw in, and ended up the best player in the deal, up to then a good prospect that needed an opportunity. Robey only played a few years and then was sent to Vancouver (along with Tracy Pratt) for Josh Guevremont. They added a strong puck mover with a hard low shot from the point. Robey also played briefly for the Calder Cup winning Buffalo Bisons in their last season, he was brought in for the playoffs from the Central League. Good player. Liked to throw hip checks in open ice.

That team was built as much with great trades as it was with drafting. Maybe Adams should read up.