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Here's something you don't see everyday.
Not one, but two recently fired Buffalo sports executives sharing a pint at a WNY watering hole.
While the Pegulas to search for their respective successors, Tim Murray and Doug Whaley blew off some steam over some chilly IPA.
Mitch Mirsky was brave enough to sniper former Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray enjoying a belt with former Buffalo Bills GM Doug Whaley.
General managers of professional sports teams are hired to be fired. Nobody in Buffalo saw Whaley AND Murray being pink slipped by The Pegulas within two weeks of one another.
It happens.
The Bills haven't made the playoffs in 17 seasons. The Sabres haven't made the playoffs since the Pegulas bought the Sabres in 2011.
— Mitch Mirsky (@MitchMirsky) May 2, 2017
I wish I was in the gin mill while Whaley and Murray were there together. The first five rounds would have been on me.
Are you wondering who paid for the adult beverages?
No doubt Terry Pegula.
Me and my doppelganger pic.twitter.com/FnG4BPIial
— Mitch Mirsky (@MitchMirsky) May 2, 2017
The first thought that popped into my cranium when I saw these pics on Twitter was Garth Brooks and his legendary anthem, "Friends In Low Places".
Blame it all on my roots I showed up in boots And ruined your black tie affair The last one to know The last one to show I was the last one You thought you'd see there And I saw the surprise And the fear in his eyes When I took his glass of champagne And I toasted you Said, honey, we may be through But you'll never hear me complain
'Cause I've got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns And the beer chases my blues away And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on down to the oasis Oh, I've got friends in low places
Well, I guess I was wrong I just don't belong But then, I've been there before Everything's all right I'll just say goodnight And I'll show myself to the door Hey, I didn't mean To cause a big scene Just give me an hour and then Well, I'll be as high As that ivory tower That you're livin' in
'Cause I've got friends in low places Where the whiskey drowns And the beer chases my blues away And I'll be okay I'm not big on social graces Think I'll slip on down to the oasis Oh, I've got friends in low places
[3rd Verse:] I guess I was wrong I just don't belong But then, I've been there before And everything is alright I'll just say goodnight And I'll show myself to the door I didn't mean to cause a big scene Just wait 'til I finish this glass Then sweet little lady I'll head back to the bar And you can kiss my ass
**
Not all news coming out of the home of the Buffalo Sabres is negative.
For example, the Buffalo Sabres and the NHL have announced the NHL Scouting Combine will remain in Buffalo through 2019, with each of the next three events being held at KeyBank Center and HarborCenter, adjacent to the banks of Lake Erie.
The NHL Scouting Combine, which has taken place in Buffalo each of the last two years, showcases the top draft-eligible prospects from North America and Europe ahead of the NHL Draft.
"It's been a pleasure to host this event the last two years and we are honored to be chosen to continue hosting through 2019," said Sabres President Russ Brandon. "The combination of KeyBank Center and HarborCenter provides the perfect venue for the Combine, and we look forward to building on the success we've achieved during the last two events."
The Sabres have perfected the turn-key combine model featuring easy access and continuity with medical testing, player interviews, and physical fitness testing.
"The Buffalo Sabres, HarborCenter complex and the City of Buffalo have proven to be amazing hosts and the ideal location for our annual Scouting Combine," said Dan Marr, Director of NHL Central Scouting. "The NHL and its Member Clubs are pleased that this modern, all-encompassing venue will play host for the next three years."
The NHL Combine, held annually in late May and early June, consists of player interviews, medical assessments and a series of physical fitness tests. All 31 NHL clubs have the opportunity to conduct individual interviews with players in preparation for the NHL Draft.
Since 2015, more than 225 draft-eligible players have come to Buffalo for the Scouting Combine, including the Sabres sniper Jack Eichel, former #1 overall picks Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, Patrick Laine, Matt Tkachuk and others .
I love this Buffalo combine because I have access to NHL prospects, team GMs, AGMs, scouting directors, and player advisors. You learn a lot about the thoroughbreds when you hang out with the jockeys and trainers in the paddock.
The NHL and Central Scouting sources that I speak with love the logistical layout of the Buffalo combine.
In a few weeks, 106 participants will participate in the NHL Combine.
I look forward to seeing you and the luminaries of the NHL in Buffalo from May 29 to June 3.
*****
You knew when you saw Matt Niskanen hit Sidney Crosby in the head that the injury was serious. Crosby may whine and complain to officials about being roughed up, however he never lays on the ice as a means to earn a penalty calll.
Niskanen skated with only a five minute major penalty and game misconduct, with no further supplemental discipline.
The news is bleak for Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Crosby has been diagnosed with a concussion and is out indefinitely.
Crosby’s linemate Conor Sheary has also been diagnosed with a concussion, after absorbing a friendly fired check to the face by teammate Patrick Hornqvist.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan made the announcement after Tuesday's optional skate in Pittsburgh.
Crosby and Sheary will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
Game 4 will be played in Pittsburgh's barn on Wednesday night.
The daunting task for Pens GM Jim Rutherford and his Associate GM Jason Botterill is to try to replace the best hockey player on the face of the planet.
Rutherford and Botterill can't just call Wilkes Barre/Scranton say "send me another Crosby. No such player exists. Crosby is Pittsburgh's emotional leader. Players like him are rare.
Crosby is arguably the NHL's best player. He scored 44 goals and 45 assists in 75 games this season. In 8 playoff games, Crosby has 4 goals and 7 assists.
Crosby has had to deal with other serious concussions in his NHL career.
Concussions can and do ultimately end the careers of NHL talented players. Will Crosby be able to rebound from this one? That is for his neurologist to determine.
Needless to say, Crosby's concussion is a massive blow to the hopes of the Penguins repeating as Stanley Cup champions.
On Monday, Crosby was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy.