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Not a great loss. Just another "fluke" season, apparently.

Yeah, there's a coaching problem. "Accountability" was the buzz word after Lindy was hired, we saw none of that. The team had the same issues that the previous coach oversaw. Is it all Lindy's fault? Nah. The roster is very clearly flawed. But do I think Lindy helped? Also no. I never say how bringing in a retread coach with a spotty record in the years before his hire was going to move the team forward. It was the laziest "coaching search" outside of just promoting another assistant I've seen. You cannot convince me hiring Lindy wasn't done with the hopes nostalgia would be enough to pacify the fanbase. And we will very probably just get that next year with Appert. This isn't a serious hockey organization.

So you are involved or connected to the Sabres somehow? And you've heard discussions that Appert is the heir apparent? People just talk about such things within your earshot? Pretty good for the coach of a "middling" AHL team. 😁

May he RIP.

Online reporting is that DeBoer's Dallas contract pays him over $4 million annually. He is one of the 5-6 highest paid coaches in the league. He is not going to be Ruff's assistant or take a job under a GM with one year left on his contract. If we had fired Adams and hired a new and respected veteran GM (Kekalainan would perhaps qualify; Shanahan or Rob Blake more so), then I could see DeBoer being at least a possibility. As is, I would say the chances are next to zero that he would consider Buffalo at this time.

iF DeBoer would go for this (and that is beyond a HUGE IF), expect Ruff would be open to it as he welcomed Andrew Brunette onto his Devils coaching staff while Brunette was between HCing gigs.

The answer is already in the dressing room, just ask Terry.

I’m more inclined to keep Quinn over JJP. The rumors that Peterka would like to be somewhere else makes me less committed to keeping him and more open to dangling him on the market to see what his value is.

Seth wasn't a particularly good college coach, really wasn't anything special as Amerks coach (he was carried by talent and largely underachieved outside of the one fluke playoff run) and completely sucked as an NHL assistant.

At one point this season, Adams was asked about this during a press conference (I think it was the infamous Palm Trees and Taxes presser). He stated that Ruff was free to make changes to the coaching staff but decided to go with the existing coaches to see how it worked out (I'm paraphrasing). Many people dismissed this as Adams lying. I just can't personally imagine that if Ruff (Sabre legend, savior hand picked by Adams/Pegula, 3rd most coached games in NHL history) went to Adams and Pegula and said I need to bring in my guy or guys, that they would quibble over the $600-$700k that it would take to payout the contract of Wilford or Ellis. Why would Ruff let Adams lie and lay the blame on him for the lack of staff changes?

I wouldn’t put it in those terms. It’s simply when you are near shark infested waters you are careful/mindful where you are at.

He was young. RIP.

Money is the root of all evil. It's always been true.

Ruh roh

DeBoer is from Dunnville right across the border and apparently his son goes to Niagara University. Can’t tell me he wouldn’t be interested.

I get that, but for the love of Jesus, what was wrong about asking what he thinks his job will entail. Terrible way to introduce him to Sabres fans. Once again the fail is strong. My late Newfoundland dog didn't slobber as much as Duff and Marty did in that pitiful performance. Yep when we bring up Newfoundlands and slobbering we have hit rock bottom. I totally expect Duff and Marty waxing poetically about the Blue Sun and Yellow Sky on Monday.

Just to be clear, I didn’t say coaching wasn’t a part of it. It certainly has been.

You are right that Marty on WGR is deliberately cautious when discussing the team and organization. Bread and butter considerations come into play. That’s disappointing because I consider him to be an excellent analyst.

A smart organization would bring in DeBoer and Steve Spott today. The Sabres who haven’t made the playoffs in 14 years will say they believe in this staff and they don’t want anyone blocking Appert🤬

The Sabres wouldn’t hire the very best coach in the entire world, even if that coach begged TP and KA to hire him. They are committed to naming Seth Appert as the next HC….whenever Lindy is done. It’s sad, but inevitable.

So Jarmo is on Sabres Live, Yeesh Duff and Biron are throwing slow pitch softballs. Jarmo said he's 24/7 invested did they ask if he's moving to Buffalo? No, they spent time driveling about Clarkson... Not one question about his role in the Sabres going forward. Apparently questions about Kevyn and his input is taboo. Oh great we are now talking computers and AI. I get Duff's role but Marty on TSN is a different Marty on Sabres Live. What a waste of 19 minutes I'll never get back

I, for one, believe Appert is a good coach. He'll be successful as a head coach in the NHL if put in the right situation as a rookie HC. He's energetic and has charisma. Players like him. He was successful in Rochester and helped develop guys like Krebs, Peterka, Kulich and Quinn. That said, I don't believe Buffalo is a good fit for him to take over HC duties. Buffalo needs a veteran HC with a recent track record of success in the NHL, someone the young players can trust and lean on... not somebody learning the ropes.

No. I can assure you he was “stuck” with the assistants given to him.