Sabres Fan in NS Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 The more I think about this the more I think Murray had his coach's back and would not fire him. Pegula fired them both. I think this was decided just as the season ended and before Murray's end of season presser, but Pegula was busy attending to personal matters until today. Quote
qwksndmonster Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 I think the two things I have bolded are related. My working theory builds off of something I've posted about before, a nagging thought I just couldn't shake: that Murray and Bylsma really were on the same page. Unless something Pegula says tomorrow really sways me, I believe when Murray said last week that he had never given any thought to firing Dan, he was giving the blunt truth. I think, to the end, Murray had no intention of firing Bylsma. Now some will say they don't think he'd fall on the sword for Bylsma, but I don't think he was given an ultimatum of any kind. I think part of the plan forward he layed out for the Pegulas included retaining Bylsma for the 2017 season. The Pegulas took the night to evaluate things, and essentially decided that what Murray had presented wasn't a satisfactory plan moving forward, and retaining Bylsma was a big part of that. And yes, I think Bylsma was so bad, that retaining him would be a fireable offense. More to the point, if my read of things is correct, it really does call into question Murray's ability to grow as a GM. Yeah that's a really fair read, too. For me, what it really comes down to is if Murray believed in Bylsma's system then he was never going to find a good coach without accidentally falling ass-backwards into one (like he almost did with Babcock). Somebody mentioned it upthread, Babcock might've chosen the Leafs because Murray failed his interview. Quote
I-90 W Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 He's in his ear. Pegula needs hockey people to make the hockey decisions. Pegula should concentrate on being a fan. All this team has done since he bought it is spin its wheels. We need a President of hockey operations again, but this time a long term one. Quote
bunomatic Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) The more I think about this the more I think Murray had his coach's back and would not fire him. Pegula fired them both. I think this was decided just as the season ended and before Murray's end of season presser, but Pegula was busy attending to personal matters until today. That makes sense when you think of those cryptic words from the GM formerly known as Tim Murray. " He's the coach today. I'm the G.M. today." Edited April 21, 2017 by bunomatic Quote
Weave Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 That makes sense when you think of those cryptic words from the GM formerly known as Tim Murray. " He's the coach today. I'm the G.M. today." Makes you think he knew there was a good possibility it was coming. Quote
Thorner Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 That makes sense when you think of those cryptic words from the GM formerly known as Tim Murray. " He's the coach today. I'm the G.M. today." Say what you will about the man, but it's pretty darn cool he chose to speak so honestly and candidly, right through until the end of his tenure. Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) That makes sense when you think of those cryptic words from the GM formerly known as Tim Murray. " He's the coach today. I'm the G.M. today." Makes you think he knew there was a good possibility it was coming. For sure. At the time, I thought that was just a thing he said to be diplomatic in the media...but hindsight being 20/20, I think he had an idea he wasn't on super solid footing. Which is why I mused a few posts back about whether at some point during the season Pegula thought Bylsma should go, but Murray stood by him. Then it all plays out, they finish lower than last season and totally collapse down the stretch...Murray may have known. Edited April 21, 2017 by TrueBlueGED Quote
qwksndmonster Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Say what you will about the man, but it's pretty darn cool he chose to speak so honestly and candidly, right through until the end of his tenure.He's a very interesting dude. I'd love to have a drink with him. Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) He's in his ear. Pegula needs hockey people to make the hockey decisions. Pegula should concentrate on being a fan. All this team has done since he bought it is spin its wheels. Even though no one can cite one example of Brandon involved in a hockey decision. But I did read that Russ Brandon sneaks in and dulls the skates of mite hockey players that play between periods because he's jealous of how popular they are with fans. Edited April 21, 2017 by PromoTheRobot Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Say what you will about the man, but it's pretty darn cool he chose to speak so honestly and candidly, right through until the end of his tenure. I fully expect to hate listening to the next GM talk. I expect utterly meaningless executive-speak. Quote
Brawndo Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Per Kevin Sylvester can't see Terry Pegula holding a press conference tomorrow to just take questions. Wouldn't surprise me if he named a hockey president Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Per Kevin Sylvester can't see Terry Pegula holding a press conference tomorrow to just take questions. Wouldn't surprise me if he named a hockey president BOOM. I predict Kevin Adams. Edited April 21, 2017 by PromoTheRobot Quote
Brawndo Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 This is the role I would love to see Dean Lombardi in that role. Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 This is the role I would love to see Dean Lombardi in that role. I won't be at all surprised if this happens, but I will puke. Quote
Taro T Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Taro's and Aud's assertion that RB is a Dbag makes me more convinced there is a campaign to smear him by people who dislike him. Hey, Mr Reading Comprehension, care to point out where I called Brandon a d-bag? Quote
Brawndo Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 I won't be at all surprised if this happens, but I will puke. As President of Hockey Ops, I'm OK with. Have him build the hockey department, bring in a GM and a New HC. Adams is well known to the Pegulas, but does not have any NHL Front Office Experience Quote
Taro T Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 This is the role I would love to see Dean Lombardi in that role. It's the role I'm expecting him in. Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 As President of Hockey Ops, I'm OK with. Have him build the hockey department, bring in a GM and a New HC. Adams is well known to the Pegulas, but does not have any NHL Front Office Experience If Kevyn Adams is given the hockey department to oversee, I give up hope on the Pegulas. Quote
kas23 Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Adams is well known to the Pegulas, but does not have any NHL Front Office Experience Wait, aren't you talking about LaFontaine? Quote
Brawndo Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 If Kevyn Adams is given the hockey department to oversee, I give up hope on the Pegulas. Yep. That would reek of Ralph Wilson hiring Marv Levy as GM, because he knew and trusted him. Quote
PromoTheRobot Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Hey, Mr Reading Comprehension, care to point out where I called Brandon a d-bag? Sorry, I was condensing what you and Aud were hearing about Brandon but couldn't discuss. Quote
Taro T Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Sorry, I was condensing what you and Aud were hearing about Brandon but couldn't discuss. OK, Mr Reading Comprehension, where did I say I couldn't discuss what I was hearing about Russ Brandon? Quote
Stoner Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 I fully expect to hate listening to the next GM talk. I expect utterly meaningless executive-speak. Better than tough guy snark though, from someone who had accomplished nothing as an NHL GM? I'll go with boring and accomplished. Quote
Derrico Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Better than tough guy snark though, from someone who had accomplished nothing as an NHL GM? I'll go with boring and accomplished. Hate to say it but I will too. Quote
qwksndmonster Posted April 21, 2017 Report Posted April 21, 2017 Better than tough guy snark though, from someone who had accomplished nothing as an NHL GM? I'll go with boring and accomplished.TM never struck me as tough guy snark. Just a straight shooter with self confidence. Quote
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