Yeah and to your point, the Pegula's can shield themselves with the Bills. They at least have a track record that shows one side of their operations is doing well. They might take some licks in the media in the short-term but if they do it right and catch lightning in a bottle then all will be forgiven. The lack of fans in the stand could be enough cover for them to bite the bullet.
That being said, I think what Edge alluded to earlier about them getting someone who can contribute immediately is paramount. Not sure if they would consider DeAngelo that guy.
I for one can't proclaim to speak on behalf of an NHL team, but if I was BUF it's all about immediate contribution today, but also tomorrow. Meaning those players need to be able to grow with the core. Future picks bring uncertainty, so if I was getting picks, I would trade them for something more proven. There are futures that may be more certain than others, but when a guy is 24 years old, and he produces at the NHL level to be 5th in positional scoring, he is a hard asset to find, and one that isn't usually available. Perhaps BUF would consider it. So does a 24 year old proven point producer such as Tony DeAngelo have a
future in the NHL after leading a top power play, and posting 50 plus points as a defenseman? Maybe?
Prospects are different, you have your own scouting department, and you have your own players. Now BUF's scouting department hasn't been aces the last little while. So those picks are a risky proposition. But.... I can tell you for a fact.... this has happened not just once... that players that play with other guys, from time to time, and I would say more often than not, know the talent that they are playing with better than scouts.
If I were the Pegula's, I would ask the players... of the kids that you grew up and with played with, whose really good? Especially if the scouts that they had were not producing. That might be a better way to gauge prospects on other teams. Especially if they are players that your young core franchise player wants to play with. It builds better chemistry that way, and you are getting a core that grew up playing together as the best in their age bracket.
If I'm getting that as my "futures", those are also assurances that make franchise player may feel more valued and inclined to stay, because you literally built the team around him, and oh... added more production than Eichel across front-line NHL positions. Whether that's a starting level goalie, a top six center, and a top 4 defenseman is all dependent on the holes BUF wants to fill.
.