tom webster

Ralph is a nice guy who wanted to coach like Marv Levy. Light practice schedule, minimal discipline, more of a CEO. Problem, he didn't have the staff to support that nor the type of veteran leadership and not enough alpha dogs on his roster. On top of that, coaching wasn't his passion just something he did with a lot of other interests. I admit, I was wrong as to how that would manifest itself in relation to this team although I think the goalie situation and 2C doomed his as well.

This. He loves the city and the Pegulas. They may mutually decide to part ways if next year doesn't go well but......

I might have to read that.

I wouldn’t read too much into Quinn at center. It was more out of necessity then anything.

Oh, 1974 OJ GIL McAdoo arguably the MVP in each league. Those were the days.

Don’t rule out Pilut.

If we lose both, they will surely bring in one veteran.

All reports say he is more then ready

Hall wants to blend in. He has no desire to be a focal point. It shows in his game. Like I said, two teams that would likely yield pick 27-31. Boston could miss the playoffs and their second round pick could be 46-50.

The Islanders definitely did not. Rumor is Vegas and Colorado.

The amusing thing is all this hand wringing and angst could be over a pick 27-31 versus 44-50. You know the stats better then anyone when it comes to probability of hitting on that pick.

Every team in the league allows teams to dictate trades. The only question is whether it was appropriate in this situation.

While I don’t completely agree, this is a very valid argument. I think that how you treat guys that are respected throughout the league can impact future signings but again, I understand the counter point.

The Corsi number was actually started by Sabres goalie coach Jim Corsi which is probably why it sounded better.

I am 95% sure the Sabres will take Berniers if he’s available to them.

I have to respond to this. The problem isn’t Terry butting out. It is having strong enough people to listen to his view point and tell him he’s wrong or that they want to go another direction. McDermott did this when TPEGS wanted Mahommes.(maybe we wish he didn’t there). Kevyn did it regarding UPL. Terry loves him but Adams convinced him he’s at least a year if not two away. These are multi million/ billion companies. The owner is going to have an opinion and wants to be treated right. We all have bosses to one degree or other. Sometimes you have to make them think that something is really their decision. I remember Marv Levy talking about the advice Mary Wilson gave him upon his hire. Just talk to Ralph and listen, or words something to that effect. One last thing, I expect there to be several more hires although by statute, some won’t be announced till after the draft.

John Buccigros just tweeted Karmonis happening soon. He is money when it comes to Sabres.

So, i was bored on a rainy Sunday and I decided to go through every roster in the NHL and see who drafted them. I also decided to see who was drafted in the last ten years and where. I used Capfriendly's website and only checked on those listed on the active roster as well as injured reserve, both long term and regular. I did not consider those listed on taxi squads because some were legitimate taxi squad players and some where on there to manipulate the salary cap and I wanted to limit the variables. Normally when I undertake a project like this I have someone double check my work, sometimes two people. I didn't for this project and I admit that there may be an error or two. I trust, however, that in this analytical world where statistically significant can be subject to such arbitrary rules, that you will forgive an error or two. Also, I submit this data without comment. I leave it up to the board to decide causation over correlation. Have at it. This data accumulated between 1 and 6pm on April 11th. Teams with most draft choices on NHL rosters Buffalo - 32 Ottawa - 31 St' Louis - 29 Columbus - 28 Boston - 27 LA - 26 Anaheim - 26 Islanders -26 Carolina - 25 Tampa Bay - 25 Chicago - 24 New Jersey - 24 San Jose - 24 Edmonton - 24 Dallas - 23 Nashville - 22 Detroit - 22 Washington - 22 Philadelphia - 21 Minnesota - 21 Florida - 20 Pittsburgh - 19 Arizona - 19 Calgary - 19 Rangers - 18 Toronto - 17 Winnipeg - 16 Montreal - 15 Vancouver - 14 Colorado - 13 Atlanta - 3 Vegas - 2 Undrafted - 104 DRAFTS OF THE LAST DECADE 2011 - 17 FIRSTS/ 36 OTHER ROUNDS 2012 - 23/37 2013 - 23/35 2014 - 22/38 2015 - 29/45 2016 - 21/23 2017 - 22/17 2018 - 12/6 2019 - 5/3 2020 - 3/0 SABRES DRAFTED LAST TEN YEARS 11/8 OUT OF 419 PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE THAT WERE DRAFTED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS , 19 WERE DRAFTED BY THE BUFFALO SABRES

I think his hockey “intellect” helps him tremendously with the offense side of the game, especially when playing with high level line mates. He needs to be tougher on the puck in the defensive zone and I’m not sure he has it in him.

In all seriousness, I think it’s his play in the defensive zone that eliminates him except for occasional, on an as needed basis.

This, if R2 is legit, VO and RR become the chips you use to make this line up complete.

The current schedule during the Pandemic has left little time for practicing or installing any system. To credit DG for anything other then letting them play and loosening things up is nonsense and no one would agree more then the coach himself. That said, I think he deserves a chance provided he is willing to bring in a veteran staff that can help him and that he is open to listening to all the new data that is available. History has shown that experienced coaches, inexperienced coaches, who knows? They all get fired eventually.

This is where I’m at. Generally speaking, I don’t believe winning at the end of the season means much. With this group, where the franchise is at, I think it takes on a deeper meaning. I do disagree that it influences Linus at all. Players know the situation, they don’t need a late season winning streak to influence them.

No

I’ve said this since the trade was made. It was essentially a way to retain more then 50% of Hall’s was salary. They don’t think Bork is better then Lazar.