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Bringing some elements of the conversation from the prospects' challenge thread to this one: we literally have nothing to go on at this moment to gauge RK's impact. There are interesting tidbits being dropped in the latest news and interviews, varying opinions on what was observed during the prospects' challenge games, RK's actual coaching history, the weighing of Botterill's ability to hire an effective coach, analysis of what the Sabres may need, the Sabres organization record of success (or, more accurately, the lack thereof) with coaching hires, and whatever other random elements all playing into the walk-up to this season. We're going to need patience. We'll have a better idea of what we have here after the final preseason game.

On the detail. I don't think anyone is looking at this as detailed as you are. It is, after all, a prospect camp at the end of summer. It looked different relative to the NHL club's play last season. You provided some detail as to why that could be true. Thank you. You have to admit that despite the analysis, you, or none of us, know how far along and the level at which RK and his staff have made changes. In this particular instance, I am not ascribing major tactics, teaching, and strategies to RK and staff, just a basic instruction that resulted in a look that was distinct enough from the main club from the last season to take note. It seems reasonable enough to consider it possible. After that, I'm personally not willing to give it any more thought or time. Because we will know by the end of this month what the reality is more likely to be. I hope we have more than a glorified Teddy, and I'm looking for signs, but I am not ready to condemn or praise yet. I'm totally with you. I think what LGR and I might be seeing is being blown out of proportion here.

The difference per the way the Sabres' have been playing in general. It wasn't some major system mechanic, just a different approach, or, maybe it's better to say, a different look, to D and O, notable in how they were distinctly different from the Sabres we've come to know and loathe. These have already been mentioned. The D would stop at the O blue line, almost abruptly, which is in contrast to the D trying to carry the puck in more often than not. I also thought they stood up at the D blue line way more than I recall the Sabres doing. The offense hardly ever circled to the outside, but instead would nearly instantly draw to the net. Pucks in the O zone corners didn't stay along the wall, but, again, were put to the front of the net. I have already admitted we don't know if we can credit RK for this. I understand you're highly doubtful.

That money would be post tax since it's an earning that has been banked. And, NFW the taxes on that would be just over 10%. And, I would say most of us live pretty comfortably on $90k annual. This is before investing.

Sounds like, at that point, this person would need to make a few lifestyle adjustments. If not, oh well! Dumb is dumb no matter how much money they gots.

In the article and the post-prospect challenge interview, it sounds like they're putting a lot of effort into exactly what you're talking about. Defining terms, establishing a way to clearly communicate what they want to communicate, and simplifying the instruction as much as possible. This is why this discussion has kind of spilled over here, though, because I think what LGR is touching on, and I agree, is that if some of the differences we saw during these prospect games are a result of the work done by RK and krew so far, and if they were indeed easy to absorb by the prospects, this is a positive development on the coaching front. Clearly, we don't really know if any of what we saw was the result of RK and krew, but I think it's safe to say we all should hope it was.

Yes, that's what I was alluding to. He also said that these kids were simply not in the physical shape to implement a lot of the system. He also said that the system is still being developed and it will still be in development as the season starts. Most of this can be put in the other thread. Even with the limited time he had with the prospects, their limited ability to implement the system, and the unfinished nature of the system, I agree with you that they were likely instructed on how to manage the blue line, and, again, to take the play to the front of the net. I think the prospects would be able to absorb and implement such simple instruction.

This isn't true at all. After hockey, they no longer work? Come on.

Somehow, my heart is not moved by this knowledge. Ice cold of me, for sure.

Matt Moulson earned about $40 mil during his NHL career. He's fine. These guys are all fine, even John Scott.

This is something I definitely noticed. RK mentioned in the interview they really only had a day to practice with him (as I understood /recall it), but that these guys had been working with the Amerks' coaches. If nothing else, aside from the blueline, their attacking the front of the net was distinctly un-Sabre like. They have had the summer to sort out and discuss a framework for the system, and, again, other than instructing the D on how to manage the blueline, some simple instruction on getting to the front of the net is not out of the realm of possibility.

Sorry, you're right. I mis-spoke. Let me re-phrase it: The greed and ego on display here is pretty ugly.

The greed on display here is pretty ugly.

Agreed and agreed.

There has been dramatic change in this country as a result. I'm not going to whistle past the graveyard.

I miss the pre-9/11 America, still innocent then, even after the change of the millennium.

"It's creating pressure at the puck," he said. "And then as you move away from the puck and your role drops from second, third, fourth, fifth player, you will have more of a zone than a man focus. But at the puck, the aggressiveness is going to be important and what that does is stops those long, cycling shifts." "It's all about getting pucks back. It's about playing strong defense through strong offense and continuing to pressure teams when we don't have the puck." This sounds all so...elementary. Clearly they've identified this as at least one of the major issues. It leaves one to assume Disco Dan and Phil stressed zones and positioning over individual pressure. I do have to say RK is very openly stressing the concept of letting them play and seeing what they can do/what they have. I find this both curious and refreshing. Curious to see the results, also curious to know, again, to what extent Dan and Phil were dictating roles and responses, and refreshing because I don't think we've heard a coach say they want to leverage the player's individual strengths. Maybe Nolan in his own way, but definitely not Phil, Dan, Ron and Lindy. Whatever happens, October and November will be interesting just to see what RK does with the team.

No, because Bob was off all summer and his post came off more as an opinion than someone "in-the-know".

I'm not terribly upset over Dzingel and Gardiner and the rest of that tweet is speculative. I think what's upsetting right now is that Friedman didn't mention Risto today.

Here's a crazy thought: what if the intent at the beginning of the summer was to trade him, but RK has decided over the summer that Risto is a project he'd rather take on?

Not a peep about Risto in those 31 thoughts.

Yeah, no. I see how this happened. Mea culpa. I confused the fact that I think they're awful tasting with the fact they make me ill. I must think more of the bad taste than the illness they bring on. I can really only drink, and truly enjoy, IPAs. Not that I mind.

The only real surprise for me was Pekar. I don't know if he's NHL-ready, but I liked watching his game. Olofsson wasn't a surprise. He looked good in the games he played with the Sabres. He might be the droid they're looking for to bolster the third or second lines this season (wouldn't mind seeing him with Eichel again, too). I wasn't able to discern much on the D for whatever reason, so we'll see how camp goes.

Calling my taste in beer "issues" is hyperbolical. Are we supposed to enjoy gas station coffee, too?