oldmanfan

Some people, if you see a black cat, will argue that it’s white just to argue.

It’s an easy job until you have to do it yourself

Fine. Trade all the overpaid guys who obviously don’t have any heart or passion and bring players in who give BBC a Damon.

I would say they need to adopt the same strategy with the Sabres that they've used with the Bills.

One of my bucket list things is to do a commencement address for a college or high school graduating class. And in that, I would recognize some outstanding teachers I've had over the years. It is a hard job; I have a niece that teaches elementary school and the hours she puts in are insane. I teach part time at a local university and medical school, and even for that I have to put in a lot of time in lesson preparation and such. The other thing I would stress in a commencement address are work ethic and personal responsibility. The teachers I've had and the ones I teach with now by and large have both. The students? Not so much. I think the biggest failures in our society right now are a lack of work ethic, and a lack of personal accountability and responsibility. Too many students don't study hard, and there are way too many parents that enable their kids and look to blame the teacher instead of their kid.

The Sabres need to find a HC in hockey like they have in McD for the Bills. They need a guy with a specific and detailed plan on how to build a consistent winner, and then either make sure he's in sync with Adams or, if not, let the new HC bring in his own GM that he knows he can work with. Then the new HC and GM need to make it clear what their expectations are, and have the freedom to move guys out that do not want to buy in. And from looking at this roster that's plenty of players, starting with their captain. You need guys with grit who are all about hockey; Eichel is not that and you cannot have as your captain a guy who pouts all the time. Kruger may not have been the greatest HC, but I have watched the Sabres since 1970 (and the Bisons before that), and I have never seen a group of weaker, disinterested players as I do now. Keep a couple guys like Cozens who haven't been tainted yet, get guys with guts and heart to go with him, and you'll start winning again (oh, and Kevin, a goaile - you haven't had a decent one since Miller) It is fashionable I know to talk about bringing in a President of Hockey, who then picks the HC and GM and such. I've never been a fan of such moves. Sometimes it works like with Lou L, but many times it doesn't and just adds another administrative layer. People always talk about how the team has been cursed since LaFontaine left so quickly as proof of ownership dysfunction, but he did the same thing with the Islanders. Maybe Patty isn't suited for such a role. Again, I look at the Bills as an example. A lot of people wanted Polian brought in when they got rid of Ryan and such. But when you have the right coach and GM in sync, I don't think you need anyone else. As for the owners, guess what? They're the owners and they get to do what they want. But look at what they've done. They've tried experienced coaches, the new up and comers, recycled ex-Sabres coaches. They've tried experienced GMs (kept Darcy too long), then up and coming GMs from winning organizations. Nothing has worked. They've looked at numerous iterations of what supposedly are successful approaches, and they simply have not worked. What they should do, and haven't done, is the same thing as they did getting McD and Beane: listen to experienced voices. The NFL has the committee that recommends HC candidates with a lot of really good football minds serving on that committee; they put McD on that short list and Terry had the sense to pick him and give him the authority he demanded. The NHL doesn't have that formal structure as I understand it, but Terry and Kim should get about 5-10 really respected names and ask them to review their organization, and make some recommendations. Rick Dudley is 20 minutes away; invite him in to consult. And then listen to them. I don't think they want the Sabres to be this bad - what owner would want their team to be this horrible knowing what it does to ticket sales , merchandising, etc.? It lowers your franchise value; no owner wants that. If they did that, and then decided to say to hell with you, we're doing it our way, I would be right with everyone else here and yell about them destroying a proud franchise. Last thing. People talk about them selling the Sabres with the hope of a new owner making a difference. You always think the grass is greener till you get to the other pasture and find out it isn't. I don't say this worrying about whether a new owner would move the franchise; any one with an ounce of sense including the NHL front offices and the other owners know that Buffalo is a hotbed for hockey and would not want to ever see the Sabres move. And Terry loves his hockey so I can't see him ever selling. But it is time for the Pegulas to get help identifying the right guys to lead them going forward, and if that means swallowing their pride to do so, so be it. They did so with the Bills, and look how well it's worked.

People keep saying we need a CB2 but I’m not sure why. Wallace has been OK and Jackson is going to get a shot after showing promise his rookie year. Bottom line with our safeties and Tre on the other side, whoever is at that CB spot will be picked on. I would like to see a big LB/ S type hybrid to go up against multiple TE offenses.

His political career is done. Either he resigns. he's impeached, or he doesn't run for re-election. The only question is whether he goes to jail.

I want a big fat tub of goo for the middle of the D line. If he comes from the Panthers, through the draft, from Mars, I don't care.

Lafontaine quit as an advisor to the Islanders within weeks too. Maybe it’s something with him. Maybe Patty can’t take having a boss.

Yes, if a guy like Josh gets hurt all bets are off. Losing a starting QB hoses every team in the NFL. As far as the Sabres, they should get McD and Beane consulted in on the next HC puck. Get a guy that is in sync with Adams as to how to build the team, specifically the kind of players needed, and give them the control to get rid of guys who don’t buy in. Personally I’d start with Eichel.

Ok didn’t see that.

Beasley

I'll be walking up the stairs, whether it's Air Force 1 or 2!

You have to start somewhere.

True, but let's say this idiot goes into the grocery store with a baseball bat or a knife. I would say the people there have a much better chance of running away, or having a group bring him down, than if he had the kind of weapons he had. I am all for background checks and all for more mental health services. They'll help, (and what the hell was his family doing here??), But this comes down to simple math. If you have a knife or a gun that can only shoot say six rounds vs. one that can shoot hundreds, then math tells you the latter can do more damage. I have yet to see a persuasive argument as to why you should be able to buy these magazines that allow one to shoot so many rounds.

I respectfully disagree. I believe he had pled guilty to assault. A comprehensive background check would have shown that, and if you've been convicted or pled guilty to a violent crime I would suggest you should not have the ability to purchase a firearm.

Good ideas

If any of these guys were going to get big money they probably would have been signed by now.

I read your comment and you made some very good points. I agree. But attacks in Asians are way up in the past year and I have a personal stake in this because of my daughter. I do not deny that.

I don’t really care what the ethnicity is of the people attacking Adan Americans. It is wrong no matter what. As I said above can we not all just agree it is wrong without parsing the issue?

Let me respond: 1. Our best ST guys were not Roberts and Bojorquez. Our best ST guy was Bass. 2. We kept Williams at RT; without him we would have had to retool at that position. 3. Our D will be helped by Star coming back into the 1 technique. Keeping Milano is also a plus. They still have a couple pieces to work on there. 4. The Pats tried to buy a team in free agency. That rarely if ever works in the NFL. And if Cam is their QB they are still going to have issues. 5. Saying Tua should be better seems to be a wish to buttress your argument. From what we saw of Tua last year I am not worried. And the Jets will still probably have Darnold and if not a rookie signal caller who will have to adjust. No question we'll have to improve the run game. But teams are going to have to figure out how to stop our passing game, and to the tune of a 13-3 record no one could last year.

McKenzie adds speed. And Sanders will be jsut as effective in speed as Smoke was, since Smoke was hurt. I expect more speed to be added on defense.

Good to see this. McD emphasized we need more speed on the team overall, so this makes perfect sense.

I feel they will pick up a vet FA pass rusher once the dust settles. And I see them drafting a 1 technique DT. I also think Phillips should be better at the 1 with more time post ACL surgery.