May Day 10

It's tough to say. I wanted a 'house cleaning' just like the sabres purchase and it didn't come. However I love the moves and am very hopeful for the season. If it goes well its great. If it fails then pegula will get panned a bit. Kind of unfair waiting for hindsight. But I'm On board with every move

He said he never offered any input on the roster... I find that far fetched

With the Sabres we have the most data. Ran very poorly. Should have nuked the front office. It was obvious it should have happened. Kept trying to bandaid Regier and Ruff's shortcomings with $ which only amplified the issues. Then took a half measure by firing Ruff. Regier continued to putz around with Rolston and eventually the change did come... But then that led to a ridiculously long GM search and the whole LaFontaine leaving thing. Now this. I like the direction of the team. If results come, the grade should skyrocket... but for now its been the worst period in team history. Bills is incomplete.

I forgot about the prospects game too. Almost 18,000 for a scrimmage game in July for the worst team in the NHL... and you had to pay for tickets. I just hope the media's narrative doesnt continue to be that Black was screwing the pooch. It seems its just their grand One Buffalo structure coming into reality, and Brandon is the man they want for the job and there is no room for Black under the new structure.

I wonder what the story is... Im sure it isnt 'just' maximizing revenue. the Pegulas seem like they would prefer to be loyal to a good guy and someone the fans like/relate to and 'maxing out' at revenue +1 is not the most important thing. Just look at the out-of-pocket improvements at the arena and the willingness to buy players out. The combine by design was also a money-loser and basically money invested to expose up and coming prospects to Buffalo in the summertime. Its likely that either the Sabres are missing the mark by a ton and screwing the pooch (I dont believe that to be true)... or the Pegulas have their entire vision and 'chose' and believe in Brandon to execute that vision over Black... and Black was not willing to take a back-seat and they signed a severance.

so are they creating a new business overlord position? Or does he just hold the Presidents' role with each time simultaneously?

It was a lump sum cash grab and nothing else.

the team has been the worst in franchise history. NHL is generally boring now. There is almost no way the Sabres could have generated a lot of in-arena excitement... especially in light that everyone wanted them to lose. The Bills' presentation is awful too. The only saving grace is you have 63,000 drunken blue collars. Look at the combine. That is something the Sabres procured... and also revolutionized the format and got rave reviews from all involved. 2016 NHL Draft they got. Telecasts have improved a ton. They have responded and acted on many fan initiated suggestions in and around the arena... and maintained a strong and hungry fan-base despite being really bad for a long time.

you know my opinions of Brandon by now.... But for this, there is just no real information on the structure, what was apparently happening behind the scenes, etc to really form an opinion other than feel bad for Black because he is a very nice guy. (Also from my standpoint, the Sabres seem to be doing just fine in terms of fan interest/engagement). The Pegulas have some sort of vision (although I'm growing a bit weary of these major changes in direction that seem to happen every 6 months or so with their sports franchise) and they feel that Brandon can/will get them there.

Im bummed out. Really liked Ted Black. Was a straight shooter, would take a beating if things didnt go well... and felt like one of us. I also think as a fan, I feel like Im treated very well as a Sabres STH.

My fan-dom actually predated the Bisons' affiliation. That affiliation was great (as was the Pirates one). For some reason I was attracted to them in the mid-80s when I first started to understand sports... strange because they were so awful back then. I love punishment I guess. They left Buffalo for Columbus and it was disappointing, but completely justified. Columbus has a new facility, and they also have this Ohio regionalization thing. Every affiliate is in Ohio with the exception of long-season Class A. Cleveland-Columbus-Akron-Lake County-Mahoning Valley. I just dont think they were producing new fans here enough. People are way too entrenched in the Yankees for some reason.

1. Sabres 2. Bills 3. Cleveland Indians 4. UB Football 5. Niagara Ice Dogs

RIP

I could see it being just good-faith negotiations and everyone coming up with a mutual-beneficial framework

He is the best football PBP man I have ever heard and it isn't that close. He announced it like a fluid hockey game. There was constantly information passed. He would build intensity throughout the game and through each play. You would know down and distance, time, yard line, how they are lining up, which way the flags were blowing, how the crowd sounded, etc... during the play you would hear where the ball is going, including depth... with Murphy, one of my main complaints is you don't know much detail before and during plays. Van was a homer a bit, but nowhere near the level as home guys nowadays who outwardly hoot and holler.

wish I could go to the scrimmage. Got a trip though, which should be fun.

It was a terrible dumb "decision"/reaction... but the kid is 19... I remember seeing all sorts of crazy stuff at college bars especially as underagers. He has to be held to a higher standard though having the responsibility of getting a full ride and being a 'celebrity' on campus. Also no idea on his upbringing either. Girl looks like an obnoxious awful puddle but I do not think she did so much to make that response anywhere close to necessary... especially from a guy with so much to lose. Ray rice was a grown man. Also hit his partner and it wasn't in a hectic bar scene. Makes the act in that case seem more psychopath and fits the bill of domestic violence.

This is a good post It's very different than the ray rice thing imo but a lot of people seem to be tying them together. I don't blame Florida state for booting him. I wouldn't be angry/horrified if he got another shot elsewhere... maybe with some stipulations, apology, anger mgt, whatever

she looks trashed and unreasonable. He really needed some self control, but good god that girl looked like a disaster.

I wonder if they have. The Sabres and Bills are both owned by Pegula now and are essentially the same management. IMO it seems there was a lot of resentment between Golisano/Quinn and TBN... it was a feud that carried over to Pegula with the Sabres. TBN kept the thing going, fueled by Pegula's request that they always be positive and also sticking with a sinking ship (Ruff/Regier). TBN is also over the top axe-grinding where it is so obvious. Using sources like 'little birdies' and phrases like 'people around the league are laughing at them' is just terrible journalism. The silly embarrassing baiting and fighting at press conferences... Then add their social media personalities. It is unbearable. I wont pick up TBN because it is so bad and hollow. But then Pegula froze them out for the most part. Any and all scoops have gone to outside media. Toronto sources consistently scoop TBN on any information. WGR have bought into what the Sabres/Bills are doing and you see the Pegula Empire has been rewarding them. They get interviews, Tim Murray on air, Eichel, they get fed scoops, etc... People want that stuff. TBN cant provide it. Things are looking up for these teams and nobody is going to want the constant negativity and antagonistic stances. People want stuff like that well-written, well researched column by Gleason.

That settlement is a joke. Knock out the blackout restriction.

Goalie-ing is so mental. These guys have their preferences in coach and Im sure most are very picky. Lehner and Irbe probably arent a good fit, and even if not, Lehner may have his own guy

RIP. Ill make sure to reflect on you for a few moments at the stadium this September.

I can't believe how gritty the lineup looks right now. This team is going to be a bear to play against.