7+6=13

Oh I must have misunderstood you. I thought you said the comments by Rob were to pull the wool over fans eyes. Now it was to publicly buck up Housley's spirit? Thinking Russ forced Rob to say - Housley is doing a good job lately - is definitely not Pulitzer worthy. It's actually quite ridiculous. The team is bad - heck we're all looking for something positive at this point.

We fundamentally disagree that it's defined as "pulling wool" over your eyes - if your assumption is right that he (Russ) tried to inject some positivity. Let's not pretend you know that to be the truth. I'm playing along and saying that if that's true - it's quite alright and not something diabolical. It's a first year coach and a first year GM with a group of players not performing. We're (fans) trying our best to guess why that is. I find it comical that you pretend to absolutely know why.

I think it's possible you could be right and that Housley is doing things the wrong way - we don't really know. However, IMO, it is possible that you're wrong and that Housley is being asked to implement his system despite this current roster would play better if he altered it. 3/4 of our team would be better if we just stayed at home defensively and dumped the puck in offensively. You want that again?

Zzzzz. They don't have the players to run Phil's system - I'm not sure exactly what that looks like because it's such a mess out there right now. However, how his system is described by him and others, this team ain't doing that. It's pretty simple, JBot wasn't brought in to build on top of a nucleus, he was brought in to rebuild. There's no other explanation for the amount of times these lines have changed - they are seeing what they have, in multiple situations, so they know for sure what they want to do. I really can't stand these immature rants. Even if it's true Rob read a script - that's exactly what they should be doing, it's their job. Only the true immature fan would expect the President of the team to reveal his true feelings of the coach and team publicly.

Hands and hockey mind get you to the NHL. Adjusting physically is something that comes with time.

For me there's two thoughts. You move him for whatever you possibly can even though his value is low - or you take advantage of his low value knowing you'll sign him for much less than anticipated prior to the season.

You're nuts - not kidding

We're not good enough to have Lehner as our goalie.

I understand where you're coming from. However I saw a team down 2 goals, stayed with it and came back - had they won in OT, the feeling would be very different. I think seeing a complete game is difficult given we're the less talented team most nights. I agree that this was the last game that had any meaning for this team so it was one I wanted too. I also think this game represents the last meaningful game with the current roster - I can see moves being made now including Kane shortly after the all star game.

I agree this game isn't Lehner's to own but there is just something about his game that's not right for me. I can't exactly identify it. I like his numbers, I like that he can/often does make the amazing save. I think the defensive philosophy, players in front of him and effort is quite embarrassing. Yet there's something beyond that - that won't let me like Lehner. Maybe the easy answer is he lets in too many goals that I consider should be saved.

As a fan I've been patient with Housley. I've tried to understand the line changes and I've tried to figure out what his system is/what it's supposed to be (because to me it's totally unclear). However he makes absolute coaching mistakes in the moments it's not about evaluating - it's time to win. This game is no exception. What is he doing?

Our PP defense is so badly flawed. This has to happen more to us than any other team.

I just don't think we have the type of players to execute that effectively.

Crap

Do you guys like how the camera views? I personally find it difficult to follow.

I largely agree with True Blue but I'll add you made him sound like a malcontent. The whole team has a had a crappy attitude and IMO, they should. Not because they all suck and don't try because losing sucks, especially when it caught you by surprise. In hindsight we should have seen that the likelihood of us being a playoff contender was an overshot but I think the players felt optimistic too - then they crashed. In addition, he wasn't playing like ####, things were off and it pissed him off. Did he handle it correctly?, no. Did he handle it like a 21 year old?, yes. For me, I just felt the losing was going to be hardest on him and I expected negative effects. I also know he'll still get his, because he's just too good and driven. Jack shows it when he's pissed - let's pick someone else like O'Reilly who doesn't. O'reilly tells everyone how bad he's playing and how terrible he feels about it in an interview - maybe makes him seem more mature and endearing about the hardship. I kind of want him to stop talking like that and show the emotion on the ice (i.e. Jack). JMO

With all due respect this is way way too harsh of an assessment.

Jack is an elite talent - lets just get that out of the way. He's trying to figure himself out at 21 years old on a putrid team. I think him being "streaky" is perfectly acceptable especially given the lines have changed a dozen times or so (guessing). As to his recent surge it could be a myriad of different things as you all have mentioned above. I'll add to the list and say it could be his conditioning kicking in. He works hard int he off season and at nearing the half way point - having youth and work ethic at his back could be helping him wear down opponents.

I love how he anticipated the play developing back at the blue line. Kept coming hard and beat the defense to the spot. This is something our current NHL roster does not do often enough - yet is done to us consistently. Nice to see from the young kid.

Lehner is an extremely emotional guy. It's actually too much for my tastes. I think he sounds like an absolute nut case when he speaks to the media. Even when he's calm - I get the feeling, this guy is ready to blow a gasket. I think his emotions hurt him much more than they help him in the net. I'm almost positive they never help him outside of the net. I think this is one of the main reasons the fans don't connect with Lehner.

Kane isn't our most talented player - that's obviously Jack. Kane is playing the best and hardest (playing hard never an issue with Kane). I think you'd agree if he's not being signed during the season - you trade him, right?

Such a tough call. If the stage is set that we aren't giving him an extension during the season - or he doesn't want to sign an extension - then I think you have to trade him, there's little choice. Keeping him and not signing him although it would cause a massive void on our team would be a huge missed opportunity for the future. I wouldn't keep him to just show good will towards him for signing him in the off season - that's just a simple conversation with his agent - otherwise you sign him now. If the Sabres want to sign him but his agent is saying we are open to signing back with Buffalo but my client does want to take advantage of seeing the open market - then obviously that decision is already made for the Sabres and you trade.

Jim Kelly - Deniro - Michael Jackson - Mike Tyson

They've been doing that with everyone though. I haven't seen the same lines for 3 games in a row. This is what leads me to believe this is a "see what we have" season and build the team from there. I do think they've made an effort to put Sam in position to see where he can succeed and IMO hasn't shown where or who he should be playing with.

Not being smart but what do you mean by jerking Sam around?