R_Dudley

Yep, I think this is more than any one or two players could effect. It clearly just can't be 1 or 2 players making this team look as bad as it does at times. When the team turns it loose I.e. Playing from behind, that is when it looks its best and is likely allowed to abandon the primary system they are being coached.

I have the "Blahs'mas" for a this one.

I didn't read the whole thread so if already unpopularily stated I apologize in advance. Alex i'll take bolderdash for 500. Management loves the work coach is doing with the team so much they give him a bonus and option to extend his contract another 5 years.

What's better talking about it if even just to vent or abandon all hope yee who enter here and stop watching because of "Bylsma soul sucking hockey"? I forget who coined that phrase BSSH, but boy it does describe it. God I hope your wrong.

Yeah talent is there, just not coming together as a team.

Close again and no cigar. The definition of this season

Wow, Good article. "Here’s how Dan Bylsma got his team ready for Canada: By playing four games of overwhelming offense, and then taking a hairpin left turn towards passive, counterpunching defense in the semifinal. It was like training every day to sing Mariah at your “American Idol” audition and opting to warble Nickelback instead." "It was a decision that practically raised the white flag, one that had the Americans genuflecting in front of the reigning gold medalists. It screamed “we can’t hang with you, so we’re going to forgo anything that might put a scare into you offensively, hang here and hope you screw up at some point so we can score.” “I think the [Canada] game took a lot out of us,” said Zombie Bylsma in a low-key postgame press conference. “Took a lot out of us emotionally.” How many times this season have we heard something similar. This is exactly what we are all seeing with what he is doing with the team. This really puts a damper on hoping to see real hockey anytime soon, this leopard hasnt changed his stripes.

Welcome dudacek. My name is Dudly and I too am a Sabreholic. I'm smart enough, good enough and gosh darn it people like me.(ok some of my family likes me sometimes). I carry a worn out Gilbert Perreault card in my wallet and I once stalked Rick Martin in a grocery store. This is the place we all come to face our addiction. Is it me or does Jack look a little like Don Luce, ok so maybe just the hair. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj_iNSvo8zSAhUBwYMKHTcqB0MQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsabreslegends.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F06%2Fdon-luce.html&psig=AFQjCNH4w7qhy_ZZkuDa964BT0DeHHc-Mw&ust=1489246954617720 Lets go Buffalo,

Nothing like a hated opponent to rekindle the competitive spirit. Beating us with Ville Leno in the first round and selling us on that fools gold thereafter shall be unforgiven.. Lets go Buffalo

Nice summary. Whoa 40% on 6 players. I like the way you think especially using the expansion draft to maneuver some of these boat anchors off the ship. Now can we get Timmy to read this and just say Aye, Aye mon capitan.

Nice, by the power of 15 we vanquish you.

Meh, I am not sure spreading your too weakest physical players, Moulson and Ennis across 2 lines is better than relegating them to the 4th line for reduced minutes. For shaugts and giggles might actually suggest they try something different for the bottom 2 lines like Girgensons-Rodrigues-Bailey Deslauriers-Ennis-Moulson I think that 3rd line would have a lot of speed and grit and Ennis did have one of his better seasons back in the day when he was at center for awhile. Spoiler role is still something fun to do especially if were spoiling Philly's chances. Lets go Buffalo,

Yep, all good points. Especially the video, just when you think your out they pull you back in. Nice to see you post and hope this finds you well. . How has the move and change been for you? It's going on what a couple years now right? Still refining the palate for fine Liquors and exotic drinks I hope. We've really got a bunch of us started on expanding our drinking tastes with the "What have you been drinking thread(s)" Ah the good old days of Sabres playoff hockey and fine cocktails.

So I was at the game but waited to post. They had a great first period and proved they can play with a Stanley cup contender. Now would they win a series against a team like the Pens, Nah I am not delusional however i was not totally disappointed. They competed and had the lead for 2 and 3/4's periods. The kicked in goal and and the could a been a high stick goal puck luck for the pens made the difference. A game changer was the switch from Murray to Fleury between the 1st and 2nd. Fleury really made some great saves to keep it at 3. What stood out. Ennis and Moulson have no physical game. They really looked horrible and overpowered at times and Pgh is not a big physical team. It's a shame Rodriguez is stuck mainly with them because they are not strong on the puck at all, just a couple of stick check kings. Still Moulson had an open look at the net and just couldn't coral it. Nilsson deserved better he really played a strong game, except for a few rebound control mishaps. As far as the D goes they did not look that bad. They had a few break downs but the pens do that to everyone. What i did notice was how the team was backing up in the 2nd and 3rd instead of continuing to press the play in the Pens zone like they did in the first. The pens looked like they were sending 2 wingers high which made or D back off and created more space in the neutral zone for the Pens passing game which is really good. The number of tape to tape passes are at least 3x what I see the Sabres doing. That and their cycle game and speed is what gave them 5 on 5's that looked like power plays. The sabres insistent use ff the boards didn't help us much with that when the other team is owning them. But that's something we are seeing a bunch of teams doing that have picked up on that Sabres tactic. I guess I didn't expect then to win which is why I am not as disappointed as I could be with losing another that way. l have to come to grips with they are not a playoff ready team and I am resolved to watching the string play out here and see what players really show they care and still play hard for the team. lets hope TM see the same necessary changes a bunch here have already stated.

Well I'll be at this one with my son. I'm looking for a good respectable game that doesn't get us laughed out of PPG place. If anything we get to see how a well coached team(Pens) with skill and depth actually looks. PGH plays an up tempo keep it you zone game so it could get ugly. Let's go Buffalo.

From the look of the shot selection(and I feel like I'm being generous in describing it as planned) do they practice shootouts at all? I know some coaches end a lot of practices with that. However from the number of passes in the skates or out of reach to running around in their own zone to standing still at times it is tough to tell what system is being preached. Last if I am not mistaken that last penalty by Sabres last night wasn't ROR, Risto and ? Out there for the whole 2 minute kill? "Holy gasser Batman" I don't think I have ever seen another coach have that type of innovation.

Tampa played in PGH last night and for a good portion it was a tight fast paced game until the Pens broke it open in the 3rd period. We are the better rested team so I would like to see us jump on them for an early lead and keep it this time. On a next game note the Pens look in playoff form and had several 5 on 5 zone pressures for extended periods that looked like power plays last night. Hansiey and Strait, deadline pickups played big minutes and fit right in, those 2 were available at the deadline and would have helped the Sabres backend immediately but I guess our GM wasn't interested or maybe not really looking. These next two games are a serious test for where this team is, and how far along we really are.

This sounds very plausible based on how he presents himself in interviews and the press. Could be exactly why after a couple years with the pens kids he got replaced there. Yep, watching Pens and Tampa right now and both those teams will test that theory real quick. Ha, Herb brooks or Mel brooks, we shall see.

Truth hurts. +1, now whats to be done.

LMAO, stick with the Hanson brother

This.

Yeah i do like following them. I know Its a love hate relationship. It bothers me when they don't appear to be playing well and I agree with many here that DB hockey is not entertaining. He does make it hard to watch. But I can't give up because growing up and being from Buffalo has always been about being an underdog. I always root for them and I guess that is what keeps me coming back here reading all your insights, stats and watching them when I can. I will admit though that has mainly turned into a when it's convenient and they are at least playing well and it's no longer an obsession. Too many other things that investing my time in has a much better return. Family, friends, work.

Haha true dat. That's been the last bunch of years madness of being a Sabres fan. I can hear DB already preaching we can't trade chances with this team so I expect the same type of game the devils played em last night. A 4 or 3 to 1 loss. Hope for the best prepare for the worst, come on Sabres surprise me.

I see the Bills rumors the owners talk too players about the coaching. So if true there why not with the hockey team too. Wonder what players they would ask and more importantly what they would say? Interesting times indeed, new year coming please show us something new.

Wonder if I can get a rebate on my center ice pkg. i can't watch this disco dan team any longer. He did finally put jack on the PK but that's probably only because Larsons out. Also we get to see a little bit of what happens when you play a player too his strengths. How can you not see Rhinehart is better at center. And heaven forbid he put his 2 best dmen together as a top pairing. GMTM really has lost some of his luster with how well his master plan moves appear to be panning out. Happy new year, maybe next year ehh, first time ever sweep by Boston. Way to go DB.