GM Speculation

[biodork]

Some Good thoughts on LaFontaine and the Sabres' GM Search: Elliotte Friedman: 30 Thoughts

 

9. Asked about the struggles of Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers, Pat LaFontaine brought up how the New York Islanders gave up on Zdeno Chara too early. "The thing that encourages me is that [Myers has] already proven what he can do. We need to create the environment so that he has everything he needs to go back where he was ... If it's something where we've tried everything to give him that environment [yet fails], then maybe a change is what is needed." That said, Lafontaine stressed Myers will be given time under the new regime.

 

10. More Buffalo stuff. LaFontaine will officially begin his GM search this week, though he said the Sabres will not avoid making moves before a new hire if another team approaches him with a legit proposal for, say, Ryan Miller. Assistant GM Kevin Devine remains and LaFontaine believes the rebuilding plan already in place gives them enough intel to get things done.

 

11. Lafontaine's decision is going to be interesting. Do not underestimate how good this job can be. In Terry Pegula, you have an owner willing to spend money on players and scouting, and smart enough to stay out of the way and let a manager work. All of the draft picks give the new GM a blank canvas to paint as he wishes. The one caveat for some candidates might be if LaFontaine sees himself as the eventual GM. And if so, when? That might be a better fit for Rick Dudley.

 

12. The four reported candidates - Jim Benning, Jason Botterill, Dudley and Paul Fenton - have excellent reputations for talent evaluation, drafting and development. All have been through lengthy building periods. The first three have Buffalo connections. Dudley's passion for the Sabres was unmatched when he played for, coached and managed them. Botterill worked with team president Ted Black and consultant Ken Sawyer in Pittsburgh. LaFontaine listened to several people who recommended Fenton because of his work as assistant GM with the Nashville Predators.

 

13. The big question to them might be, "How long do you think this rebuild needs to take?" Like former GM Darcy Regier, LaFontaine believes the next two drafts will be essential for Buffalo. But I'm not sure be thinks the timetable needs to be as lengthy as Regier did.

 

Good stuff, but to the bolded and red, I'm a little worried about the second half of that statement given the "cross-pollination" comment last week at the presser. Hopefully LaFontaine and the eventual new GM can convince Pegula to let them handle the load and stay mostly out of personnel decisions.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Hi bio,

 

I posted someplace that what you just posted is my biggest concern now. Not that PLF will be able to convince TP to stay out of it, but that TP will not stay out of it and Patty leaves in 6 months.

 

Also, for what it's worth I really don't see Patty becoming the GM ever. So, that (IMHO) will not be a concern of anyone interviewing for the GM job.

[Trettioåtta]

Do we have any evidence yet that TP is a meddler? It isn't rare that the owner is involved in the decision process, but is there proof he is the one making all the calls? Or overriding the decisions DR was trying to make?

 

I feel that sometimes on this board a few people repeat something so many times it seeps into people's brains as truth

[TrueBlueGED]

Do we have any evidence yet that TP is a meddler? It isn't rare that the owner is involved in the decision process, but is there proof he is the one making all the calls? Or overriding the decisions DR was trying to make?

 

I feel that sometimes on this board a few people repeat something so many times it seeps into people's brains as truth

 

Nope, at least no more so than any other owner. And that quote from Friedman about Pegula being smart enough to let the manager manage carries more credibility to me than anything people on this board try to read into Pegula's statements/actions.

[nfreeman]

Do we have any evidence yet that TP is a meddler? It isn't rare that the owner is involved in the decision process, but is there proof he is the one making all the calls? Or overriding the decisions DR was trying to make?

 

I feel that sometimes on this board a few people repeat something so many times it seeps into people's brains as truth

 

Boom!

[biodork]

Do we have any evidence yet that TP is a meddler? It isn't rare that the owner is involved in the decision process, but is there proof he is the one making all the calls? Or overriding the decisions DR was trying to make?

 

I feel that sometimes on this board a few people repeat something so many times it seeps into people's brains as truth

 

Completely true, and I'm not entirely sure myself. Pegula was pretty instrumental in getting Regehr and Ehrhoff (and trying to get Richards), but I have no idea how much (if any) was him telling DR to get those guys and how much he just threw his weight behind the offers. But I'm optimistic so far that Patty seems comfortable speaking his mind, and that's a great sign.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Do you guys not listen to Pegula talk? "No Emperor", "Roundtable", "Cross-Polination".......that was just in a 3 minute span. Patty even talked over Pegula twice, once to make sure that he knew the GM has the final call once he is hired.

 

I'm 100% on board with everything. If Lafontaine brings in Dudley...you will have a trinity of real men in here when taking into account Nolan. Nolan and Muckler would go at it, and Mucks is from the same mold. There is NO WAY those 3 guys will let Groupthink and "Yes-Manning" take over. Out of respect, you always keep the owner in the loop and listen to his concerns, but with Lafontaine, Dudley, and Nolan....if Pegula wants to be "too involved" shall we say....those guys will bolt.

 

I don't think it will be a problem because I see Pegula coming to respect them. In car terms that Terry can understand....he was driving a Nissan Sentra with Regier and thought is was the bees knees. Now he's got a '67 Impala, a Mustang, and a Caddy. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

**I know Dudley hasn't been hired yet, but I've got him at 3 to 5.

[26CornerBlitz]

Do you guys not listen to Pegula talk? "No Emperor", "Roundtable", "Cross-Polination".......that was just in a 3 minute span. Patty even talked over Pegula twice, once to make sure that he knew the GM has the final call once he is hired.

 

I'm 100% on board with everything. If Lafontaine brings in Dudley...you will have a trinity of real men in here when taking into account Nolan. Nolan and Muckler would go at it, and Mucks is from the same mold. There is NO WAY those 3 guys will let Groupthink and "Yes-Manning" take over. Out of respect, you always keep the owner in the loop and listen to his concerns, but with Lafontaine, Dudley, and Nolan....if Pegula wants to be "too involved" shall we say....those guys will bolt.

 

I don't think it will be a problem because I see Pegula coming to respect them. In car terms that Terry can understand....he was driving a Nissan Sentra with Regier and thought is was the bees knees. Now he's got a '67 Impala, a Mustang, and a Caddy. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

**I know Dudley hasn't been hired yet, but I've got him at 3 to 5.

 

@LavoieRenaud

Rick Dudley did not speak to Sabres yet. If their is one place he would like to be a gm again it's in Buffalo.

[nfreeman]

**I know Dudley hasn't been hired yet, but I've got him at 3 to 5.

 

Interesting. What are your odds on Botteril?

 

@LavoieRenaud

Rick Dudley did not speak to Sabres yet. If their is one place he would like to be a gm again it's in Buffalo.

 

Do we know whether PLF has officially requested permission from the Habs to interview Dudley?

[TrueBlueGED]

Do you guys not listen to Pegula talk? "No Emperor", "Roundtable", "Cross-Polination".......that was just in a 3 minute span. Patty even talked over Pegula twice, once to make sure that he knew the GM has the final call once he is hired.

 

I'm 100% on board with everything. If Lafontaine brings in Dudley...you will have a trinity of real men in here when taking into account Nolan. Nolan and Muckler would go at it, and Mucks is from the same mold. There is NO WAY those 3 guys will let Groupthink and "Yes-Manning" take over. Out of respect, you always keep the owner in the loop and listen to his concerns, but with Lafontaine, Dudley, and Nolan....if Pegula wants to be "too involved" shall we say....those guys will bolt.

 

I don't think it will be a problem because I see Pegula coming to respect them. In car terms that Terry can understand....he was driving a Nissan Sentra with Regier and thought is was the bees knees. Now he's got a '67 Impala, a Mustang, and a Caddy. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

**I know Dudley hasn't been hired yet, but I've got him at 3 to 5.

 

The owner being involved in the decision making process is not the same thing as the owner directing the decision making process. There is no evidence to suggest Pegula falls into that latter category, and there is a lot (anecdotal, granted) that most owners fall into the former.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

The owner being involved in the decision making process is not the same thing as the owner directing the decision making process. There is no evidence to suggest Pegula falls into that latter category, and there is a lot (anecdotal, granted) that most owners fall into the former.

 

Yes-Man = Owner directing = What we **possibly** have seen

 

Men = Owner involved = What we shall see

 

Interesting. What are your odds on Botteril?

 

 

 

Do we know whether PLF has officially requested permission from the Habs to interview Dudley?

 

Dudley 3-5

Botterill 5-1

Fitzgerald 8-1

Field 6-1

 

I still hope there is a way to get both Botterill and Dudley in here.

[SabresBillsFan]

Devine has impressed me over the years in a few ways on top of his passion for scouting.

 

He said when they drafted Myers that he isn't a Chara type and never will be. He understood his physical build is not an A. I point out the potential Marfan, but Devine at least could identify that this kid isn't going to be a bull.

 

He also identified Girgensons out of nowhere. He admitted he wasn't on his radar until a few months before the draft. That takes honesty....it could look like a reach, but he saw the qualities of a winner. He told of the blocking shots in a 10-2 game, or whatever the score. That impressed me, and Girgensons impressed me with not only his attitude, but his "man body" at the time which Teddy Nolan re-affirmed today.

 

There is a spot for Devine here if it is up to me. I'm just not sure how close he was to Darcy and how much he just wants to be Sabres family. My ideal world has LaFontaine overseeing things, Dudley as the main pro guy, Botterill as a researcher and workhorse, and Devine running the scouts.

 

P.S. I downgraded my browser so it doesn't autocorrect LaFontaine to Lafontaine! My spelling is doomed though....

I agree. I can live with Devine running the scouting department

[nucci]

Do we have any evidence yet that TP is a meddler? It isn't rare that the owner is involved in the decision process, but is there proof he is the one making all the calls? Or overriding the decisions DR was trying to make?

 

I feel that sometimes on this board a few people repeat something so many times it seeps into people's brains as truth

The only thing I know of is he told Regier to get Ehrhoff at any cost after watching him in playoffs for Canucks. From a friend of mine that is a former Buf News reporter. FWIW

[Hoss]

Fluto Shinzawa ‏@GlobeFluto18 Nov

Sabres expected to ask permission to interview Jim Benning this week.

 

 

(yes, the tweet is a day old but I didn't see it posted)

 

 

So far, we have heard reports that Botterill and Benning are definitely candidates, and that a Dudley interview doesn't appear to be in the plans yet.

[Two or less]

Fluto Shinzawa ‏@GlobeFluto18 Nov

Sabres expected to ask permission to interview Jim Benning this week.

 

And TSN reports, the Bruins have granted the Sabres permission to speak with Benning.

 

Link- http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=437003

[nobody]

I've changed my mind - I want the Sabres to hire the man who was in charge of the draft when they selected Stafford.

[26CornerBlitz]

INSIDER TRADING: SABRES' GM SEARCH, TRADE TALK, AND MORE

Bob McKenzie: The Buffalo Sabres have asked for permission from the Boston Bruins to talk to assistant manager Jim Benning about the vacant Sabres' GM job and the permission has been granted. I'm also hearing that Lafontaine's profile for the job is that he's looking for young assistant GM types throughout the NHL. We've heard Jason Botterill's name in Pittsburgh, Brad Treliving's name in Phoenix, Paul Fenton's name in Nashville.

 

That might mean a guy like Rick Dudley, who's been a GM in the NHL before doesn't necessarily fit the profile of what Buffalo is currently looking for.

[Brawndo]

#TribHKY >> As of this evening, nothing doing between #pens ass't GM (J. Botterill) and #Sabres

 

 

Could be that LaFontaine has not gotten to Pittsburgh to interview him yet.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

#TribHKY >> As of this evening, nothing doing between #pens ass't GM (J. Botterill) and #Sabres

 

 

Could be that LaFontaine has not gotten to Pittsburgh to interview him yet.

 

Thought Botterill's interview with LaFontaine is scheduled to be on tomorrow.

[Two or less]

INSIDER TRADING: SABRES' GM SEARCH, TRADE TALK, AND MORE

Bob McKenzie: The Buffalo Sabres have asked for permission from the Boston Bruins to talk to assistant manager Jim Benning about the vacant Sabres' GM job and the permission has been granted. I'm also hearing that Lafontaine's profile for the job is that he's looking for young assistant GM types throughout the NHL. We've heard Jason Botterill's name in Pittsburgh, Brad Treliving's name in Phoenix, Paul Fenton's name in Nashville.

 

That might mean a guy like Rick Dudley, who's been a GM in the NHL before doesn't necessarily fit the profile of what Buffalo is currently looking for.

 

Don't know anything about Treliving. But Benning and Fenton are not exactly young bucks. Not sure how they fit into the "young assistant GM type"?

 

I am still onboard with Botterill.

[wjag]

Yes-Man = Owner directing = What we **possibly** have seen

 

Men = Owner involved = What we shall see

 

 

 

Dudley 3-5

Botterill 5-1

Fitzgerald 8-1

Field 6-1

 

I still hope there is a way to get both Botterill and Dudley in here.

 

and WJAG? :wallbash: I'm not getting any respect on this board..

 

I've got to be at least 10,000,000 to 1..

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

and WJAG? :wallbash: I'm not getting any respect on this board..

 

I've got to be at least 10,000,000 to 1..

 

No...you're 7-1....just part of the field.....

 

I could be off...but it just makes sense. Groom Patty. If you want a cap guy and Botterill isn't a 1B to Dudley, hire Taro and Chz. By the way, Botterill is a UM guy, so Penn State doesn't jive too well with that. It's like an Aries and Cancer hooking up.

[Derrico]

Any word on how the interviews have gone? I see upthread that Botterill was scheduled to interview today (I'm assuming hes the first interview). I guess that's maybe why.

[26CornerBlitz]

Any word on how the interviews have gone? I see upthread that Botterill was scheduled to interview today (I'm assuming hes the first interview). I guess that's maybe why.

 

Heard Botterill is meeting with the Sabres' Brass in Roch today.

[Derrico]

Heard Botterill is meeting with the Sabres' Brass in Roch today.

 

Thanks. I don't know if I've mentioned it but I really appreciate the relavant tweets and information you contribute to these threads. I don't have twitter myself (even though I'm under 30) so the info you post on here is great. I'm sure I speak for many on this board when I say thanks.