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You should consider re-thinking you analysis. The quality of callers is generally low as a rule. Not too different, actually, than message boards. We are lucky here that our board is significantly above the average in terms of an internet message board. I don't post or even visit other boards for the same reason a lot of quality people don't call radio shows. I have no problem they using that moment to attract attention - that's the kind of thing they should be doing.

I think our one-dimensional style, lack of real talent and inexperience all played a hand in this. Once the book was out on how to discombobulate our D, there were never adjustments made to counter that book because the focus was on execution. But they're not going to get Nashville-style execution with the lack of talent on one side, and the inexperience on the other. Goal-tending suffered, then, because a lot of the shots against were either high-quality, or took advantage of the chaotic D. On the last point, there were way too many "flukey" goals for them to be random. I guarantee part of the book was to lob the puck from below the dots 90 degrees at a Sabres D man in front. Both goalies were sufficiently rattled starting in late December and never recovered. While the latter half of the season has shown us our goalies do not have the mental fortitude or technical skill to be number ones, I think nearly any good goalie would have looked bad in front of our D. Injuries, lowering confidence, inability to maintain the appropriate pace throughout the season, and general positional and in-game strategic confusion was added to an already teetering D core, which features a lack of appreciation for puck possession, an inability to control zone exits, and at least half who can't stand the thought of laying a hit or receiving one to make a play.

I already posted this here:

I think this is germane to the conversation. Howard and Jeremy pretty much nail it about why the Sabres are where they're at. At least in my opinion.

Surprising, yes. Refreshing? Why?

I don't disagree with you overall on over-valuing the roster. No one has come here and with specificity (other than arbitrary, made up percentages) has told us HOW a good coach can help the team. No one here really knows what impact a different coach will make. Not a one. However, it has become quite clear that along with major roster changes, there does need to be a coaching change.

That was most likely not his call to make. More evidence to submit at the re-trial.

This interests me. I didn't watch his presser. Can you elaborate?

I don't think the player interviews are necessary to justify Phil's release. They either do it or don't. With Q and AV on the market, if they're going to make the move, they need to move right away. Firing him before the last game, though, would be a bad look. After that, not a soul in the universe would blame them.

It's not personal, Phil, it's strictly business.

JBot lost Skinner in November. Of course, considering how worthless he's been down the stretch...do we need him?

THERE'S STILL TIME TO TIE IT!

I think we need a re-trial, submitting this season as newly uncovered evidence.

You have to be in-market just like cable.

My Fubo feed is a good 45 seconds behind.

Yeah, a point shot is going to work.

Is it okay to not like Samson again? This board, I swear.

Didn't Phil say sometime before this season started that the team had to un-learn bad habits? What happened with that?

Right in the crest. Good job.

Are we watching now to behold just how bad they are? Why are we watching this?

Sheary. Samson.

They may as well pull the goalie now.

Montour make the hit, jeez.

There's no way they succeed making him out to be the villain.

Why would Skinner want to sign up for this?