GM Speculation

[Two or less]

Buffalo has been at it longer. Not sure if it is a few days or weeks, but I believe it has been longer for Buffalo.

 

We've had the GM seat open for longer, but Burke has been there for 3 months longer and has years of experience over PLF on hiring GMs. If it was as simple as you make it sound, you'd think Burke would of had his guy within 48 hours of hiring Feaster.

[wjag]

We've had the GM seat open for longer, but Burke has been there for 3 months longer and has years of experience over PLF on hiring GMs. If it was as simple as you make it sound, you'd think Burke would of had his guy within 48 hours of hiring Feaster.

 

Maybe so, but he has two things working against him (1) you have to work for him and (2) it's Calgary.

[Two or less]

Maybe so, but he has two things working against him (1) you have to work for him and (2) it's Calgary.

 

Theres only 30 such jobs in the world. Pretty sure not many people would reject that chance.

[Hoss]

 

 

Maybe so, but he has two things working against him (1) you have to work for him and (2) it's Calgary.

 

I love Buffalo, but if you apply number 2 to Calgary then it likely applies to Buffalo as well.

[bunomatic]

I love Buffalo, but if you apply number 2 to Calgary then it likely applies to Buffalo as well.

 

Calgarys a pretty cool city. BOOMTOWN. High paying jobs galore. Very low unemployment. If you want to work there's a job for you. And they love their hockey.

[...]

OMG, what is with you people? Didn't PLF say some of the people he was interested in were under contract? Frankly, it wouldn't be a proper, thorough search until the season was over.

 

Miller will be making the decision for Miller, not Patty, or uncle Terry, or the new GM. So, lets toss that worry aside because the organization isn't involved there and I doubt the Sabres will trade Miller regardless. IMHO, Miller wants to stay, anyway.

 

And, the way things are going, what coach are they gong to find who is a better fit in Buffalo? Toss that concern aside, too.

 

There is no hurry...in this game there is no prize for being the quickest, rather the prize goes to whomever makes the BEST decisions.

[qwksndmonster]

Sizzle, with 3 (important) pending UFAs I would be livid if they didn't hire a new GM at least 6 weeks before the trade deadline. If they waited until the end of the season that would be some mickey mouse organization ######.

[WildCard]

Sizzle, with 3 (important) pending UFAs I would be livid if they didn't hire a new GM at least 6 weeks before the trade deadline. If they waited until the end of the season that would be some mickey mouse organization ######.

Agreed, these next 2-3 years have a huge impact on our long-term success, there's no way we can half-ass the first year

[sicknfla]

At this point though I would like PL F to at least come out and say no matter who we hire in the future TN is our guy regardless. I was skeptical at first about TN but having watched what he has done with this group he is the only option at coach.

 

The fact that he has not publicly had the interim label removed is kind of corny. Can you honesty imagine they bring in Jim Benning for instance and he tells the media that "TN has done a fine job but I will be bringing in my own guy". This is one area that PLF could have handled differently IMO.

[tom webster]

Sizzle, with 3 (important) pending UFAs I would be livid if they didn't hire a new GM at least 6 weeks before the trade deadline. If they waited until the end of the season that would be some mickey mouse organization ######.

 

The Bruins were forced to wait till after the draft for Chiarelli and I think that worked out alright for them. I could handle the decisions on Miller, Ott and Moulson. Im sure PLF can maximize the return if they decide to trade them. Getting the right guy is the goal here even if they have to wait for him.

[nucci]

At this point though I would like PL F to at least come out and say no matter who we hire in the future TN is our guy regardless. I was skeptical at first about TN but having watched what he has done with this group he is the only option at coach.

 

The fact that he has not publicly had the interim label removed is kind of corny. Can you honesty imagine they bring in Jim Benning for instance and he tells the media that "TN has done a fine job but I will be bringing in my own guy". This is one area that PLF could have handled differently IMO.

I agree. A new GM will want his own coach. LaFontaine puts a new GM in a tough spot.

[dudacek]

You guys act like all GMs come with a coach attached at the hip.

On the contrary, most GMs go through coaches like teams go through hockey pucks.

 

The new GM will review the jobs being done by everyone in the organization, including Teddy, and make changes where he thinks changes are necessary.

Chances are we won't hire an idiot, and if the guy knows his stuff, I doubt Ted will be found lacking.

[SwampD]

You guys act like all GMs come with a coach attached at the hip.

On the contrary, most GMs go through coaches like teams go through hockey pucks.

 

The new GM will review the jobs being done by everyone in the organization, including Teddy, and make changes where he thinks changes are necessary.

Chances are we won't hire an idiot, and if the guy knows his stuff, I doubt Ted will be found lacking.

Darcy left some deep wounds.

[darksabre]

OMG, what is with you people? Didn't PLF say some of the people he was interested in were under contract? Frankly, it wouldn't be a proper, thorough search until the season was over.

 

Miller will be making the decision for Miller, not Patty, or uncle Terry, or the new GM. So, lets toss that worry aside because the organization isn't involved there and I doubt the Sabres will trade Miller regardless. IMHO, Miller wants to stay, anyway.

 

And, the way things are going, what coach are they gong to find who is a better fit in Buffalo? Toss that concern aside, too.

 

There is no hurry...in this game there is no prize for being the quickest, rather the prize goes to whomever makes the BEST decisions.

 

I'm with you sizz. I'm not worried at all about the GM situation. I do think we'll have one by the Olympic break but it wouldn't shock me if Pat waited till end of season either because I think the decisions that need to be made in the meantime are ones that people on this forum, let alone someone actually in tune with the NHL world like Pat, could make with ease.

[...]

Sizzle, with 3 (important) pending UFAs I would be livid if they didn't hire a new GM at least 6 weeks before the trade deadline. If they waited until the end of the season that would be some mickey mouse organization ######.

 

Ott, Moulson and Miller? I think the only one of the three that will require a more delicate hand will be Moulson. Ott has said repeatedly he wants to stay here and he's playing like it. Miller, as I said, I think he wants to stay. I don't care if Moulson stays or not, personally, but at the very least if he decides to jump at the first high-dollar offer before the Sabres can, then LET him go.

 

It's better, long term, to get the right person in here rather than be hasty because of some arbitrary deadlines. They have enough hockey people to handle these situations. What, exactly, would a new GM do anyway? He/she would consult all of these people on the staff, and defer to the "vision" PLF has for the team. It'll be fine. As we have all witnessed as Sabres fans, GM is far more important a hire for long term success than some players.

 

 

[nucci]

You guys act like all GMs come with a coach attached at the hip.

On the contrary, most GMs go through coaches like teams go through hockey pucks.

 

The new GM will review the jobs being done by everyone in the organization, including Teddy, and make changes where he thinks changes are necessary.

Chances are we won't hire an idiot, and if the guy knows his stuff, I doubt Ted will be found lacking.

Remember the backlash when Nolan wasn't rehired the first time? What if the team is playing well and a GM wants to make his own choice? They might not have coaches attached to their hips but most want to name their own coach.

[Derrico]

Ott, Moulson and Miller? I think the only one of the three that will require a more delicate hand will be Moulson. Ott has said repeatedly he wants to stay here and he's playing like it. Miller, as I said, I think he wants to stay. I don't care if Moulson stays or not, personally, but at the very least if he decides to jump at the first high-dollar offer before the Sabres can, then LET him go.

 

It's better, long term, to get the right person in here rather than be hasty because of some arbitrary deadlines. They have enough hockey people to handle these situations. What, exactly, would a new GM do anyway? He/she would consult all of these people on the staff, and defer to the "vision" PLF has for the team. It'll be fine. As we have all witnessed as Sabres fans, GM is far more important a hire for long term success than some players.

 

What indication have you got that he wants to say? I haven't read or heard any quote really pointing to him wanting to stay. The team is playing better but that's from them actually working hard, I think it's obvious to see we don't have a ton of talent. Therefore it's likely going to take a few years to get to any kind of contendor status. I'd be surprised if he ends up wanting to sign with us and therefore they had better move him by the deadline or extend him by the deadline.

[darksabre]

Remember the backlash when Nolan wasn't rehired the first time? What if the team is playing well and a GM wants to make his own choice? They might not have coaches attached to their hips but most want to name their own coach.

 

I guess the way I see it is, if the team is playing well under its current coach, what GM is going to want to disrupt that? With so many other aspects of team building to focus on, he might as well be happy that the coach is the least of his problems. I think it's a good thing that Nolan is having some success. It eliminates a variable.

[apuszczalowski]

What indication have you got that he wants to say? I haven't read or heard any quote really pointing to him wanting to stay. The team is playing better but that's from them actually working hard, I think it's obvious to see we don't have a ton of talent. Therefore it's likely going to take a few years to get to any kind of contendor status. I'd be surprised if he ends up wanting to sign with us and therefore they had better move him by the deadline or extend him by the deadline.

Or one really good offseason.

Everyone thinks it takes years to rebuild and get back to being a team with a chance to contend, but it can be done quickly. PLF and whomever he hires as GM just have to be willing to get aggressive in FA, re-sign Miller (maybe Ott too) and not be so attached to the prospects and picks in the system like Darcy was. A couple good signings and some trades using the build up of prospects and picks and they can be in the playoffs next season with a chance to be a contender.

[Derrico]

Or one really good offseason.

Everyone thinks it takes years to rebuild and get back to being a team with a chance to contend, but it can be done quickly. PLF and whomever he hires as GM just have to be willing to get aggressive in FA, re-sign Miller (maybe Ott too) and not be so attached to the prospects and picks in the system like Darcy was. A couple good signings and some trades using the build up of prospects and picks and they can be in the playoffs next season with a chance to be a contender.

 

Yep, and I've been waiting for that one magical offseason for 20 years now. Even with our better play we're still easily going to miss the playoffs. So our team isn't very good and let's be honest, the City of Buffalo is not a great NHL destination. So even if there are a couple of big name players that make it to free agency and even if we have the cap space for them (which we do) I still doubt we can sign a couple of game changers. So that leaves trades and although we have the assets to make something happen I think there's way too much that needs to happen before we are back in the playoffs. This all assumes Miller stays because if he wants out they have no chance at competing next year. How many legit top 6 forwards does this team have? Take 6 subtract that number and that's how many you have to bring in within one offseason.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Someone better watch out, or they will end up on Santa's naughty list.

 

 

 

 

:nana:

[dudacek]

I'm totally with D4rk on the Nolan situation.

Last time Darcy came into an ugly situation in the aftermath of Nolan/Muckler.

He did what he thought best to resolve the situation (or protect himself).

Pride stung, Teddy walked.

 

The situation today is nothing like it was in '97.

 

[Derrico]

Someone better watch out, or they will end up on Santa's naughty list.

 

 

 

 

:nana:

 

That's true, I better save my rants for a couple of days :doh:

[26CornerBlitz]

From 30 thoughts http://www.cbc.ca/sp....-edmonton.html

 

12. I received a couple of interesting calls after our Hotstove Tonight chat about Sabres president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine. The length of the search for a GM led to speculation he would take the job himself. But one source was adamant in opposition. "He is definitely hiring someone," he said. "One thing he has learned from all these interviews is how big a job this is." If Lafontaine wants someone in place for this year's draft, he's going to have to do it soon. Other teams who've granted permission are getting impatient and considering withdrawing consent until later. This is too important for the Sabres. Time for two or three second interviews.

 

14. It's pretty interesting what this "president of hockey operations" title has done to these GM searches. Teams asked to allow contact want to make sure anyone leaving is actually getting a promotion, not taking a lateral move with a competitor. Burke and LaFontaine can say they are making someone a GM which, in most cases, is a higher title and, in some circumstances, gets around contract language.

[beerme1]

Bring 'em home. Bring 'em all home, Terry.

 

Whoa. At least wait and see if it that turns out to be the case with this one. If so the fire away.