nfreeman

I'm not put off by the players saying that they need the coach to hold them accountable. They are effectively admitting that they have screwed up and need to grow up, that they know it will be harder and more unpleasant for them going forward and that they deserve that outcome. I certainly don't disagree that it shouldn't have gotten to this point and that the Sabres needed better internal leadership (and IMHO that certainly includes KO, Zemgus and whomever else is/was in the alleged leadership group -- that group has led this team precisely nowhere). But I also think teams tend to take their mental approach and temperament from their coaches. This is the youngest team in the NHL. They need a strong leader at coach. DG was more of a substitute teacher that they didn't take seriously -- and who evidently didn't make them practice hard or generally crack the whip. Well, the party's over now. Nurse Ratchet is taking over this summer and she's in a bad mood.

Well, if Lindy is KA's top choice, it will probably happen by tomorrow. KA said a couple of times that he has a plan. I kinda think that means he has a list of guys ordered by preference. If the guy at the top of his list isn't yet available -- like Brind'Amour or Sullivan -- then he needs to wait until his top choice becomes available. OTOH, if his top choice is available now -- like Lindy or Quenneville (and I think there is zero possibility that it's Quenneville -- although based on the Jenner & Block report it sounds like the key factual question of whether or not Quenneville knew comes down to his word vs one other member of Hawks' management's word, I think there is too much smoke for TP to be OK with it) -- then it should be wrapped up quickly. I'm not sure whom I want. I freaking love Lindy, and I'm pretty sure that he would've gotten them into the playoffs this year, and this team kinda feels like they could bust out like Lindy's 2005-06 Sabres, but bringing him back kinda feels like a desperation move by a loser franchise. What I really want is for KA to do what a really good GM would do and choose the right guy.

I knew there was no way he could get through a lengthy post without mentioning Mitts in a hurt, accusatory manner.

I don't think they will, or should, trade any of their key NHL roster guys until we/they see how they do with a real NHL coach. Although if Brady Tkachuk is traded -- which I don't think will happen -- I would give up Power plus other assets for him in a heartbeat.

I think it will be Berube or Gallant, and that it will happen within the next week or so.

I think the Sabres aren’t viewed as untouchable by respectable coaching candidates any longer, but I don’t think this is a highly sought after spot either. And I don’t think the prospect pool matters to them either — they want to win now. I think they can get someone good, but it will take some good work by KA.

Your skepticism is reasonable, but remember that after initially hiring the wrong guys to run the Bills, TP replaced them with an outstanding GM-coach combo and gave them a blank check, and the result is that the Bills are an elite NFL franchise. TP wants the same for the Sabres. He signed off on this firing despite being on the hook for DG's extension. He just hasn't found the right guys yet.

I'm kinda lukewarm on "3 Body Problem." Still very high on "Shogun." Will probably try "Fallout" next.

Now the question is whether they get an experienced guy with a track record as opposed to a young (hopefully) up-and-comer. I vote experienced with track record.

I also like that it was done decisively -- immediately following the end of the season. It's a clear statement, both internally and externally, that this past season was an unacceptable failure.

Wow. I thought it was possible but not likely. I wish DG well. He seems like a good guy but was not the right guy for this job. The best thing about this is that it means they are trying to be a real team again. Now KA needs to pick the right guy.

Well, like the Sabres' season itself, I clicked into that article with high hopes, which quickly came crashing down. Their last game is on Monday, and the last games of the NHL season are on Wednesday. If DG is going to be fired -- which is absolutely what should happen -- it will happen by Friday. I'll believe it when I see it.

I hesitate to memorialize him in any way, but it is nevertheless newsworthy: OJ Simpson has passed away.

FTR, McConkey isn't just a possession guy. He is really fast -- 4.39 in the 40 at the combine. Having said that, I don't know anything about any of these WR prospects -- except that I want the Bills to draft one in the 1st round and another one shortly thereafter.

Very few goalies are consistently upper tier, so I generally don't believe in long-term commitments to them -- especially for a guy who didn't look like an NHL goalie until garbage time in another lost season. I'd be OK with a 3-year deal for UPL, but I wouldn't want to go longer than that.

My 2 cents: - I would give JJP a LT deal, assuming DG and KA like his attitude/work ethic/etc. Based on his overall 2nd-year production, career trajectory and the way Mike Peca raved about him in Rochester, I think he'll be a very good, forceful, fast, productive wing for a long time and will continue to improve for a while. - I don't think the decision should be influenced by the number of existing LT deals. You can't let good players get away because you made a mistake previously. - For that matter, the only bad contract is Skinner's, and even he contributes a decent amount of goals and agitation every year. Samuelsson's deal doesn't look great, but it doesn't really affect anything because the dollars aren't high and when he plays he contributes pretty close to his contract value. - I'd guess it will cost at least $6.5MM per year to get him to sign a 7- or 8-year deal. - If they sign him to a LT deal, it makes it a bit easier to trade a top prospect like Savoie or Kulich for a good vet.

I agree — Diggs absolutely got most of the opposing D’s attention. It’s a completely different look for Shakir without Diggs or a similar level receiver there. Having said that, I like Shakir too and think he will continue to improve and have a good season in a supporting role.

I, too, cannot simply read the threads on TSW for the same reasons you can't. I've identified 15 or so excellent posters whose content I follow and IMHO is well worth reading for high-quality Bills analysis. Also, I agree that he'd still be here for next year if he were a good soldier.

There is no doubt in my mind that Diggs forced his way out. The timing makes zero sense otherwise. And the decline in his play, and in his role in the offense, makes it an easier pill to swallow (and BTW he was my favorite guy on the team). OTOH, I expect him to be highly motivated and have a good year next year. Absolutely. This was posted today by one of the best posters on TSW: Houston has 2 young stud WRs. I don't think it will happen, but it's not impossible that Diggs will find himself unhappy with his role in the offense there. OTOH, I heard on WGR that if it doesn't work out, Houston can cut him after this coming season with zero cap hit. Well, I think age has something to do with it, but it sure seems like he was increasingly unhappy and problematic. Here is another quote from an excellent poster on TSW: My bottom line on this is that I hate losing a guy who burns the way Diggs does and, like Diggs, who thinks he's a superstar and isn't afraid of anything. Those guys are essential. I also think it's not necessarily a bad thing that his relationship with JA had soured (if that is true -- which I believe it is -- in the last couple of seasons I haven't seen the same joy in their interactions that was evident in the prior couple of seasons). Sometimes, tension within an organization can serve as a competitive/motivating factor and keep people from getting too comfortable -- I kinda think the Sabres need some of that. Still, sometimes things can get too toxic. When that happens, an organization needs to take action. I think that's what happened here. I sure hope though that there are some other guys who are among their best players and can provide that burning intensity that Diggs has. I'm not sure who fits that bill. Maybe they'll draft a WR #1 who can provide both production and fire. We'll see.

I think Lindy would take the job in a heartbeat.

I completely agree that he started with more young talent/high-end prospects than most, but I think it's also fair to say that he started with more baggage and dysfunction than most. FWIW, I agree with those upthread who are fine with giving KA another year, but there is no question that this season was a failure on his part. Also, as I've said many times, I'd like a new coach.

Just saw it with my wife. I enjoyed it but I think I liked the first one more. OTOH, my wife liked the 2nd one better. It picks up once the kumite starts. Evidently, it's might be based on a true story, and JCVD's character was a real person, but it seems like quite a few people doubt his stories and believe them to be tall tales, including his description of the kumite and his role in it.

Let off some steam, @Weave!

Those external factors might play a role, but I kinda think at some point it'll be TP realizing that yet another GM hire hasn't worked and he'll pull the trigger, just as he's done 3 times previously.

I think you're right, which is why I can't agree with the OP. I will say though that at some point KA will start to feel some heat, and I kinda expect it to be next season if they stink again. Nothing lasts forever.