So, let me ask you:
What qualifies Matt Ellis to be a Director of Player Development in the NHL other than:
His loyalty to Adams/Pegula's
.
that second paragraph reads like a draft for the Bulwer-Lytton fiction competition... major propsIs that a real quote?
The Sabres staff has really bought in to dropping "value" words instead of describing actual actions that the strategy is based on. Everyone will feel like they are in agreement since no one actual says anything that can be followed up.
I know "it's just an interview" but that kind of mouth diarrhea forebodes the vision of another authentically mouldy lockerroom gorgonzola on top of the limp spaghetti of a team that will maintain its usual flaccid integrity while efficiently missing the playoffs preaching self-improvement.
Sure, let's look at his resume as assistant director/director of player development at the NHL level?
Shoot none? Let's look at the AHL level then?
Hrmm, none there either.
Ok, what about NCAA or Major Junior?
Still at absolutely zero?
Wait, hold on, it appears he has experience with the Jr Sabres. That is OJHL experience.
So, let me ask you:
What qualifies Matt Ellis to be a Director of Player Development in the NHL other than:
His loyalty to Adams/Pegula's
His likely cheap salary (by comparison)
I'll wait.
Now explain Appert's "loyalty" versus Taylor's so we can all get turned into conspiracy theory nutcases.
Quit acting like it takes something special to be a Director of Player Development. If you know hockey and you have some sense on how to run a program coupled with actually going thru the process as a player I think you can handle this job.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill
Chris Drury's first job in the Ranger's front office was Director of Player Development. Ellis is actually more qualified.
Chris Drury Named Director of Player Development
In his role, Drury, 39, will be responsible for working with the team's hockey operations department to assist in the development of Rangers prospects, both on and off the ice. He will serve as a liaison between the hockey operations department and prospects in the organization, and assist in the evaluation of the team's prospects. Drury will work closely with the Rangers' American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, to further enhance the progression of Rangers prospects who are in professional hockey by providing encouragement and guidance. In addition, he will assist in overseeing and evaluating all players at the collegiate level.
The following year Drury was named AGM and the next year he also became GM of their AHL team. Ellis is on the fast track to become GM. After Adams wins a couple cups, Kim will step aside and Adams will assume the presidency and Ellis becomes GM. Remember you saw it here first.
$$$$$.
Ah yes, culling the entire front office and replacing a GM with someone with next to zero front office experience.
Now they are surrounding him with people with....zero NHL experience.
If we had an experienced front office in place, I probably wouldn't bat an eye at this position naming.
But, given the current state of the front office, anyone hired to any position without a modicum of NHL experience in that position is going to be given a critical look.
Especially with a "Director" title, even if it is just a fluffed up title for the role.
Hell, I could have gotten the manager of Wendy's to build a playoff team the day after winning the Dahlin lottery too.My dude.. they are literally there to support prospects and keep an eye on them. I could get the manager of a Wendy's that could do this job. I mean if it makes you feel good to grind an axe against all things PeGuLa so be it but in 2 days nobody is going to give a second thought about this hire
Can i just say it appears the Pegula's are staffing the front office with people whose only real skill appears to be loyalty to the Pegula's. It seems like something destined to fail miserably.
"yes ma'am", you mean...This, as much as I want to give Matt Ellis the benefit of the doubt, this just seems like another "yes man" move. We'll see. I do think Matt Ellis has some definite attributes, running several camps for skating etc.
This is EXACTLY the issue people have: It is in the mold of every single Pegula hire outside of Abysmal*: Zero experience and track record of success at the position and seemingly hired because for their ability to say "Yes Mr Pegula" (and we can see how well that has worked out).This, as much as I want to give Matt Ellis the benefit of the doubt, this just seems like another "yes man" move. We'll see. I do think Matt Ellis has some definite attributes, running several camps for skating etc.
Hell, I could have gotten the manager of Wendy's to build a playoff team the day after winning the Dahlin lottery too.
Don't underestimate the Pegula's ability to f*** up even the simplest of hires.
We’d be like 70-7-5Hopefully the Sabres record with him in the FO will mirror their record with him in the starting lineup.
Well this is KA's hire. The Pegulas have had some bad ones.. mainly Botterill and LaFontaine but I think any non idiot former player can do this job
This is EXACTLY the issue people have: It is in the mold of every single Pegula hire outside of Abysmal*: Zero experience and track record of success at the position and seemingly hired because for their ability to say "Yes Mr Pegula" (and we can see how well that has worked out).
* Yes, Ted Nolan. But he was hired by idiot savant minus the savant part Murray as part of his plan to lose games (and it almost came back to bite him right in his smug ass because Nolan got a group of guys who wouldn't have been particularly great AHL players to work so hard he nearly avoided winning the wooden spoon in 2015 and we end up with Dylan Strome). With what he was given to work with he did by far the best job of anyone in the Pegula Error.
My dude.. they are literally there to support prospects and keep an eye on them. I could get the manager of a Wendy's that could do this job. I mean if it makes you feel good to grind an axe against all things PeGuLa so be it but in 2 days nobody is going to give a second thought about this hire
See post #31What does a Director of Player Development actually do