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Pat LaFontaine : The Future Begins


LGR4GM

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Posted

I have no clue who he'll hire as GM or try to hire, but with the assets in the organization, this has to be a pretty attractive destination. Don't think he'll have a hard time getting a qualified person.

Posted

Gaustad was one of them -- but I can't remember the last time it happened with a goalie.

 

I think STL could do it, but only if Halak gets hurt between now and the deadline.

 

I don't think Anaheim is a realistic possibility. Things are going too well there now, including in goal, for them to upset the applecart with a trade like this. They're also a budget team and Miller will be expensive.

 

Overall I don't think any team with an established good #1 goalie is going to unload that goalie to make room for Miller.

 

I wonder how ready St. Louis is to hand a job over to Jake Allen. That obviously wouldn't stop them from picking up a #1 of Halak fails, but he has to be the near future for that organization.

Posted

I have no clue who he'll hire as GM or try to hire, but with the assets in the organization, this has to be a pretty attractive destination. Don't think he'll have a hard time getting a qualified person.

 

It kind of sounded in the press conference like Pat was saying he isn't qualified to be a GM now, but could learn to be one. If it is his intention to be acting GM in the future, then I think he'll go with an older, more established guy like Dudley over a young up-and-comer like Botterill.

Posted

It was interesting to me how much Authority LaFontaine spoke with. He doesn't strike me as a yes man at all but being the age I am I barely remember him playing so I don't know a lot about him. DR has been the only GM I have really known. Basically I like how LaFontaine named Nolan as interim and didn't just promote Sacco or something like that. I also like that he recognizes his own short comings because I think that is very important. You must know your weakness to understand it.

Posted

Sabres Facebook keeps posting pictures Pat and it's making me a little emotional. There's just something so right about all this.

 

Just don't start the GDT for Friday night too early. We saw how that worked out with the opener -- it led directly to a 3-17 start.

 

You are on notice.

Posted

Never a big fan of NHL analysis on ESPN, but FWIW here's an article on the firings.

 

A couple quotes that should be noted:

"LaFontaine indicated whoever takes over as GM will have a say in the long-term coaching issue, which makes a lot of sense. As for who will be the next GM, one has to imagine LaFontaine will reach out to Rick Dudley, another top hockey mind with long ties to the team, as well as highly regarded Claude Loiselle of the Maple Leafs and Tom Kurvers of the Lightning."

 

"But it's hard not to imagine that somewhere down the road, people will look back on this day as the day a corner was turned for the Buffalo Sabres." :beer:

Posted

Just don't start the GDT for Friday night too early. We saw how that worked out with the opener -- it led directly to a 3-17 start.

 

You are on notice.

I'll smack him with a frying pan if he tries, don't worry ;)

Posted

 

 

Just don't start the GDT for Friday night too early. We saw how that worked out with the opener -- it led directly to a 3-17 start.

 

You are on notice.

 

You're welcome!

Posted

Everyone is just gushing on here over PL. My question is, what experience does he have running this type of operation? I have no idea. Someone please tell me he has been successful somewhere.

Posted

I wouldn't take exception to his acceptance.

 

and stop calling me Shirley or I will take exception to LGR4GM's acceptance.....

 

Everyone is just gushing on here over PL. My question is, what experience does he have running this type of operation? I have no idea. Someone please tell me he has been successful somewhere.

 

please tell me you're serious - do you realize the value proposition in play here ?

Posted

A brief history of the Sabres:

 

1970 - Draft Gilbert Perrault

1999 - No Goal

2007 - Black Sunday

2013 - Green Wednesday

 

I admit there is a bit of a gap in my understanding of defining sabres history. Green because it represents spring and new life

Posted

and stop calling me Shirley or I will take exception to LGR4GM's acceptance.....

 

 

 

please tell me you're serious - do you realize the value proposition in play here ?

Shirley you must be joking...

 

but what does this have to do with me?

Posted

 

 

and stop calling me Shirley or I will take exception to LGR4GM's acceptance.....

 

 

 

please tell me you're serious - do you realize the value proposition in play here ?

 

No I don't. Enlighten me. I'm not trying to be obtuse. Is this the same "value proposition" Gretzky brought to Phoenix? What business acumen and hockey management success does he bring here?

Posted

No I don't. Enlighten me. I'm not trying to be obtuse. Is this the same "value proposition" Gretzky brought to Phoenix? What business acumen and hockey management success does he bring here?

 

This is a legitimate question. It is legitimate to question the credentials of the other recent players appointed to executive positions based on little more than a successful hockey career, too.

Posted

 

 

No I don't. Enlighten me. I'm not trying to be obtuse. Is this the same "value proposition" Gretzky brought to Phoenix? What business acumen and hockey management success does he bring here?

 

 

What do you consider a prospect? What's more valuable...a 19 year old who has shown zero at the NHL level, or 23-26 year olds who have won a Norris, a Stanley Cup, and have forced a 7 goal, 20 point big center who is 20 years old to the AHL? Because that pretty much describes Ottawa, who has tons of cap room besides.

 

The Sabres have out of the money options on talent. Nothing capable now, but MAYBE in 2-5 years. Meanwhile, plenty of teams are loaded with 20-26 year olds who seem to progress and make their team competitive, and should be that way for the next 3-10 years.

 

We are so far behind the curve it isn't funny. If you stick with the current strategy, you need 3 years just to HOPE you can compete for a playoff spot and maybe win a round.

 

 

 

The names Bucky has touted the past few years makes sense in a sort of 3 headed monster. Dudley/Botterill/Lafontaine.

 

Dudley likes to stay behind the scenes, but is a good talent evaluator and architect. Let him strategize, Botterill does a lot of the leg work and maybe oversees the scouting department and such. And Lafontaine is the public face that is 100% respected and trusted by players and fans alike. He could be the liaison between the hockey and business department, between Rochester and Buffalo, and between the team and the public for important hockey matters.

 

I'm not sure if it would be a case of too many cooks, but they all could be highly efficient at a key role. If Patty tells me we need to be patient, I'll handle it. If Darcy tells me that, I want a stray meteor to strike the podium.

 

There are plenty of options out there, but if Pegula is intent on coddling ex-Sabres, this is at least a B+ solution given an open market.

 

 

Sort of like the Bills brought in Marv Levy after Donahoe. You are close to a full fledged fan revolt. The secondary ticket market is telling the story. People can't give seats away 2 weeks into the season.

 

I don't know if Lafontaine would be interested in a role like that as he would have the least amount of power of the 3. I'm just saying...what we know of Pegula, he likes "HIS" people. And when it comes to hockey, the best we can hope for it seems is HS people being ex-Sabres. This seems like a viable idea given reality.

 

 

From Day 1 I was scared that Pegula would trust status quo too much, we'd end up where we are, and fans would end up turning on Pegula himself. If the team isn't winning and he's not having fun, AND the fans turn on him for real....this can be a disaster.

 

I'm hoping Pegula can reflect a bit and see that Darcy just can't cut it, for as much as he likes him as a person. Lafontaine would be a face and name that fans trust, and he may actually have enough ability to be a true asset in the personnel department. I still want a "General" type here, planning behind the scenes. Sadly, the further down the hole we go, and the more that Pegula becomes a quantified owner, and not just speculation about him, it can be harder to get people of value in here.

 

We are getting close to a situation of no-return. I'm not sure how likely that is to happen, but the dynamics are in place. Firing Regier would gain forgiveness from just about everyone, including myself. Just as long as he doesn't go batsh!t crazy and bring in someone with zero clue again.

 

I'm just thankful right now..... Patty himself says he's not ready for primetime, and is going to bring in people who he knows and trusts that have done the job. That's character baby!.....

Posted

 

 

 

 

 

I'm just thankful right now..... Patty himself says he's not ready for primetime, and is going to bring in people who he knows and trusts that have done the job. That's character baby!.....

 

Impressed u were all over Patty a month ago.

Posted

This is a legitimate question. It is legitimate to question the credentials of the other recent players appointed to executive positions based on little more than a successful hockey career, too.

I read an snipet from Lyle Richardson over on Spectors Hockey that LaLa has a whopping 6 WEEKS of front office experience with the Islanders take it for what its worth
Posted

How much experience did Sakic or Yzerman have? John Elway? The if course there's Nieuwendyk of the unsuccessful variety. Scott Bowman had plenty of experience, and we know how that worked out. Sometimes a guy is just right for the job.

Posted

How much experience did Sakic or Yzerman have? John Elway? The if course there's Nieuwendyk of the unsuccessful variety. Scott Bowman had plenty of experience, and we know how that worked out. Sometimes a guy is just right for the job.

 

I hear you. I just hope we are not getting caught up in the aura of memories past.

 

I sincerely hope he works out.

Posted

I hear you. I just hope we are not getting caught up in the aura of memories past.

 

I sincerely hope he works out.

 

Nostalgia is running rampant, no doubt. But I like what I heard Pat say and from all accounts he's a really sharp guy. Just admitting he's not ready to be GM is huge to me. Looking forward to the GM choice.

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