from Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News,

So sometime within the next few days, Tim Murray will hop a plane to Boca Raton, Fla., and the future of the Buffalo Sabres will be set for the start of next season. Maybe even, depending upon the anger level of Terry (and Kim) Pegula, for the next several seasons. The general manager had few definitive answers to give reporters and fans at his news conference on Wednesday because opinions had yet to be gleaned from ownership.

With quarterback scouting missions putting hockey on hold -- who would have ever imagined that when Terry Pegula cried at the sight of Gilbert Perreault in 2011? -- the GM answered questions about the future as best as he could. He simply didn't know a lot of the answers. So when Pegula looks out at his GM through his plastic One Buffalo sunglasses in the coming days, what might he say about Murray and Dan Bylsma?

1. Forge on, Tim and Dan: The coach and GM both have three years left on their deals, with Bylsma owed $3 million per season. Even a bazillionaire like Pegula might be getting tired of paying people not to work. Especially since he just jettisoned Rex Ryan after the Bills' disappointing season. The no-change theory is a good one to start next season with, as Murray needs to give Bylsma a better roster and then have the coach work on his coffee-drinking skills with his players as he said during his presser.

continued