That Aud Smell

As for objective data(lytics) on the team's ... improvement from last season to this season: Has that been captured somewhere here?

I think all of those dudes report(ed) directly to Pegula.

I won't let the current suckitude prompt me to forget how much I effing despised the team's play under Dreary Dan. Even while they were earning more points in the standings. Nope. Sorry. That's a Faustian bargain I will not make. I am far from sold on Housley. I really, really (really) don't know whether he can be an effective HC. But I'll remain adamant that, in order to become a really good club, the Sabres as an organ-eye-zay-shun needed to embrace and execute a system that involved more risk, more upside, and more imagination than that which Hot Daniel preached. So, yeah. Kindly take that bullpuck and shove it. I'll read takes and assess them on their own merits, and then respond to them, without questioning a poster's mental faculties or independence of thought. I encourage you to do the same. Let the church say 'amen.' Although I'm not so sure about this part.

Holy chapped biscuits on the new Canes owner, man. Also, I am intrigued: If Francis stays on as President of Hockey Ops (maybe where he should have been from the start?), but if the new owner wants a direct line to and through the GM -- then what exactly is a PoHO doing?

The eff you talkin' about? BINGO. Housley may fail, but my sense is he'd be intent on failing, if in fact he must, because he tried to get this team geared up to play real-life big boy NHL hockey, not that small ice, low event bullspit Dan Jauron preaches.

Pining for the dedicated mediocrity of Dreary "Small Ice" Dan. Lulz.

Excellent work.

I have to think that JBOTS has that issue in the forefront of his mind -- he's said as much (that he wants Amerk success), hasn't he?

Your right. But it’s tough with people, you know? Their going to do what there going to do. Ignoring the malapropisms is better then obsessing over them. You could pin this tweet, and nothing would change — than what?

NFW this regime brings him back. They didn’t want him then — why would they want him now? Also, his injury history means he lacks the ability that McDermott values above all others: Availability.

For sure. Link's dead.

So is it better for the Bills in particular, or any team in particular, to avoid a comp-pick-triggering signing? Or is it better to avoid those because it means you don't diminish the slot at which your team is picking in later rounds? E.g., picking 81st instead of 82nd.

Would a Comp pick come out of the acquiring team's backside, so to speak?

OTOH, wasn't there a COL team from a few years ago that was mostly hot garbage but had an insane PDO for like 60 games?

I think there's something to that. I'll say is that SV% is not really just a goaltender's stat -- it's a team D stat, too. If you're a player who's allowing huge scoring opportunities to be surrendered -- then your PDO ("luck") can and will suffer. You'll have made your own bad luck. Likewise with the flip side of that. If you can dangle like a mofo, set up some tap-in's or other high percentage chances, and, as a result, the SH% while you're on the ice is in that 12-13% range, well, then you've made some of your own luck.

I have no idea what to think of the signing.

Yeah. I see the SA at 65/40, and their SV% at sub .800. Fun is good, though. PDO (I think I'm doing this right): Sabres: 113.5 (gaudy) Leafs: 86.5 (putrid) The range from the top to bottom teams in the league right now is ~98-102. Puck luck is real.

Yeah - HELL naw.

Oh. You know I did. Would be an interesting experiment: Why’d Foles tear it up last season? Because of his abiding faith, or because of his team’s system and play calling?

I didn’t get to watch. Looks like Sabres were outshot by a lot. Score effects?

Didn’t Foles almost retire from the NFL in order to become a minister? Yep. I’m sure McDermott wants him.

I’m not sold on either of the Joshes, based on the QB name theorem. *Josh* — I’m just not sure a Josh can be a good/great QB. Lamar Jackson? He can be great. Same with Darnold, Mayfield.

I understand the skepticism. Vogl’s not generally a hyperbolic writer. I take what he wrote mostly at face value.

Burn it all down.

Vogl’s quotes from and about Housley and the players not listening are beyond disturbing.