from Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News,

High-ranking people from across the league are laughing at the Sabres, just as they did last year after the season turned ugly. What people, you ask? Sorry, but their names will remain private. It's an unfortunate but necessary aspect of the media that many don't understand, but with anonymity comes unfiltered opinions.

And the general opinion from a wide range of hockey minds – general managers, scouts, agents, league officials, former players – is that Pegula's success in the real world means almost nothing in the sports world. Most are stunned Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff have survived when common sense called for their dismissal long ago.

The general message: It's incredible.

That, of course, is the opposite of credible.

One general manager hopes Buffalo keeps Regier and Ruff because it leaves one fewer team to worry about. Another executive criticized Regier for giving Tyler Myers a contract that included $12 million for this season. It could ruin the defenseman, he said. Others are left shaking their heads or snickering or both.

more