7+6=13

He won't neglect the defense just as Murray didn't - mainly because it's the elephant in the room. The difficulty will be making the correct decisions - that's what Murray did wrong. I'm confident that was a large part of what was discussed in the interview process. Choosing a coach that through his philosophy can make the defense better than the limited physical ability and/or experience will be important.

I don't really understand this post. Drafting and an even (flat and smooth) approach isn't what this team needs. It needs a totally different mindset - mostly from the NHL head coach, a defense that needs to be rebuilt or assembled depending on how you define our D, decisions on Kane and probably goaltender and smart resolutions to some of the contracts not working in the teams favor. The pending expansion team and who you expose is important in that you need to make sure the player you want taken by them - gets taken. Moves need to be made so aggression will be needed. Drafting is a process that often takes 3-4 years to see the benefits. I know it's an important thing to keep the team replenished but that's not where we're at now.

Offensively with a better philosophy - we have the talent to be a playoff team. We are not a playoff team defensively and one of three things have to happen 1) we make one or two significant player acquisitions. 2) The coach's scheme elevates the play of the defense. 3) We become so good offensively we outscore teams and that becomes our identity.

I guess we'll never know. My main point was Murray has my respect for his effort. We should have been better even with our lack of defensive talent and I put that on largely on Bylsma.

Murray did a bit more than entertain you in a press conference. I think Murray put everything he had into making this team a winner. A well connected man in hockey that I'll always respect for his efforts. Obviously every move he made didn't work out but I don't think we got the short end of any trades. Heck he got so far as to be able to make an offer to Stamkos. He pursued Vesey, Drouin and Antipin. I didn't like his goalie decisions, Moulson and Ennis extensions, and Bylsma was a flop. What an active and creative GM he was - far beyond just a fun sound bite. Ok, I feel better.

Clearly this isn't a valid pic. Skies never look like that in Buffalo.

Buffalo does not poach from Pittsburgh sports.

I think Pegula had to have been impressed with Murray's talent evaluation skills - for the most part - but I think he just believes we could be better. I believe he wants his GM to be more than a "hockey guy" - I think he wants a better relationship with the GM and wants him to be more of a face of the franchise (PR) guy too. I don't think he takes into consideration the money lost on the contracts - I believe he wants to win. Whether he actually knows how to go about doing that is one thing - but I do think all he wants is to WIN.

My thoughts: How do we pay for him? We'd have to trade Kane for a defenseman. You can't invest more in the offense without at least counter acting for the defense, IMO. Is he the type of player that accelerates the development of the young future Sabres or is he the kind of signing needed when Jack is around 23-24?

You feel this way because you don't understand the rebuild isn't over. Did you think we were going to be comparable to the legit playoff teams - this year? If you did then just blame yourself for having unrealistic expectations.

That's exactly right. We're just not used to this so some fans panic and call it turbulent meddling by the Pegula's. We're conditioned to having to wait until every ounce of hope is drained from the entire organization before we fire a coach because of the guaranteed money. Well the Pegula's don't care about the money and if they know it's not going right they're moving on. They have expectations of winning and they make that as obvious as any owner in sports. They expected better from the Sabres - they didn't get involved during the season - at the end the season they meet with those running the team and the excuses and/or plan these two had wasn't good enough to save their jobs. I liked Murray but bye - they're not messing around.

They've hired 3 coaches (4 with McDermott who hasn't coached a game yet). That's hardly enough to say - can't start over every 2 years.

Darn right he is. He's not an easily replaced player.

Yeah it's obvious if they kept Rex and Bylsma or Nolan they would be good owners. The coach sucks - they fire him. Seems darn sharp to me.

The team we had prior to deciding to tank was better than we are now? Yikes!

There's plenty to criticize Bylsma over but to me saying he's totally against the defense getting more involved offensively is unfair. He allows Risto to be heavily involved and Bogosian brings the puck deep into the offensive zone on occasion. Problem is we just don't have those type of defensive players - that's the issue. Bylsma was known for "north-south hockey" which means he likes his defense to make quick long stretch passes to the forwards. I think we see some of that. I'm not sure about his philosophy of the defense joining the rush - it may be that he doesn't want them to but like I said could be due to the type of players we currently have.

I'm with you on these thoughts. I'm definitely not someone looking at him as solution next year - rather that he represents what we're trying to put together for the future. When realistically this team will be ready to be a perennial winning team.

We're not just a normal bad team because we have plausible upside.

I get that you're being cautious but not everyone that plays in the NHL came from a singular source. We're being active to fix the defense - what's not to be interested in with this young man?

I can't understand how anyone can think the rebuild should be done already. I get the we should be further along but I don't think 10 more points this year would make me feel better. I see where we are in terms of personnel. I'm satisfied with having a reasonable optimistic view of our future. I see no difference in where we are now vs having 10 more points and staying there for another year with Bylsma. He has to go - it's a matter of time but with this defense we're not ready to win playoff series anyway. We've got so much to look forward to. I'm just going to enjoy the journey.

I don't see anyway Tampa Bay could sign Jack with their cap situation.

We stayed an extra year in tank mode to land Eich or McD. How can anyone rationalize being totally done with the team 2 seasons after? Pegula's warts? He buys a team almost completely void of any proven high end talent. FF to now and the opposite is true. Now it's about figuring out how to put everything together so it works and fans are done waiting. I don't get it.

I'm not bashing him at all but I thought Jack showed his age in the interview. I'll say the questions were small minded - which I know doesn't surprise anyone. If you want to get to know the kid ask questions that make sense for him to answer. I don't think he came off as arrogant or an a-hole but he seemed irritated as if we got knocked out of the playoffs last night - so there should have been ample time to not be that uncomfortable. The only other thing I can think of is his frustration is lingering because he would like to A see some players gone or B players and the coach. Jack strikes me as someone that wants all his communication to be in his preparation, on the ice and between his teammates. He might grow into the captains role but I think he'd prefer to let someone else take that role and he'd be an A. I'm also just about sick of Lehner. The guy rarely talks about his deficiencies but loves to spout off about how his teammates played. He consistently takes questions and turns it into how the team plays. I translate that into blaming the players in front of him. Let's hear about how you've identified the need to work on your lack of anticipation and lateral movement and how many odd goals go in because you don't know where the puck is and how your glove side is attacked by the opposing team. I think Brad May eluded to it last night. There's goalies teammates don't enjoy playing for. I think Robin may be one of those goalies.

I don't understand Girgensons. He's very skilled with the puck, big, skates well with good speed and seems like an excellent teammate. Yet he just doesn't do much. I don't get it. He has so many tools to be a very good player but doesn't produce.

As bad as we were I don't think you fire a GM 3 off seasons in. You have to give the draft picks time to develop. I think he gets that time (at least 2 more off seasons) and the opportunity to pick one more coach. Then it all has to come together to keep his job.