Good. I'm glad Botts doesn't have Pittsburgh blinders.
Im struggling to understand your views/worries on some of this. Maybe my understanding of previous events is incorrect so please let me know if it is. Pegs hired LaFontaine, who in turn hired Nolan. LaFontaine also hired Murray, who then hired Bylsma...
Now here is where I maybe missed something, has it been stated for fact that Pegula had a direct influence on any hire outside of LaFontaine? Has he ever actually "meddled" in any decision. It seems to me he has been very good at staying out of the way of the hockey minds. And if his version of meddling is just making sure we hire someone with integrity and character, I would call that very light in terms of meddling.
Anyways, apologies in advance if this came off as snarky or condescending. It isnt meant too. All this conversation makes me feel like I am missing something so I am just trying to clear that up for myself.
And who hired Lafontaine? Terry can claim he was not involved but he hired Lafontaine. For those who want the Pegulas more involved please name one hiring success they have made. I'll wait.
I like the Botterill hiring. But maybe Sabres were lucky that Pegulas were too busy messing up the Bills.
Rex Ryan was hired when Pegulas didn't listen to their GM but decided they knew more. Terrible example.
As for Ted Nolan if you are telling me they were not involved in that you are really drinking the Pegula "What, me?" BS. Time for them to stop passing the buck.
Well my deam team of Brisebois and Marc Crawford are gone
I wanted Housley least, Didn't care for Tocchett, and thought Reirden was the best out of all 3 if I had to choose one.
Is that you, Robin Leach?
It's been well known the influence Russ had on the hire of Rex.
The Nolan hire came from Lafontaine who the Pegulas hired to run hockey ops.
Their issues stem from the fact that they were NOT involved enough-- i.e they trusted people who had no reason to be trusted with that level of autonomy at the time.
It's impossible to know how much input they had on any of those hires. Maybe you're right but what is generally regarded as fact points to them signing off on hires and not meddling.
Hence they hired two GMs that are regarded in both leagues as true executives, with experience in all facets of running a franchise. From what they've said and done previously they want someone to run the operation.
If Housley is the guy I'll be excited to see what he can do with our defense.
We really didn't even interview Tocchet?! After all that?
I know some of us are connecting dots, but I'll wait for the formal announcement.
I remembered Floyd Smith, Dudley, Craig Ramsay, Schoenfeld, Lindy. Forgot about Inglis, understandably so. I remember when he coached, forgot he played. The season he coached I think the Sabres lost in the 1st round to the Penguins, best of 3, I think in OT of 3rd game at home.
Well, you do have Terry's talking points down. Sorry, the Lafontaine hire and the results from it are on the Pegulas.
If Tocchet wasn't interviewed at all Botterill definitely was told by the Pegulas they weren't interested whatsoever OR Botterill is a quick study having watched Pegula's presser and decided Tocchet's priors made him a no go.
Part of me hopes it is an out of left field hire.
Dreger saying on Nichols radio show that jack capuano is rumored to be a choice for Associate or assistant coach
I wish him the best, I think he's a great guy and he'll definitely help the D-men. I think he'll be a pretty poor head coach though. The two facets of the Preds that he was most involved in other than working with the defenseman (power play and OT) were the two worst aspects of the Preds and he never seemed to be able to adjust at all.
I hope he keeps Bob Woods then.Opinion by a Nashville fan
If Tocchet wasn't interviewed at all Botterill definitely was told by the Pegulas they weren't interested whatsoever OR Botterill is a quick study having watched Pegula's presser and decided Tocchet's priors made him a no go.
It's equally plausible that Botterill simply knew Tocchet well enough to know all his faults, enough to eliminate him from consideration.