LTS

I have an ignore option... it's called self-control... it doesn't always work but that's on me. :)

You know those guys at poker games who just raise big right away? I don't play poker because of them. Good thing this isn't poker. $60

Logic on how to manage a losing a season is not the same logic required to build a winning team. Claiming those players was a short term attempt to upgrade the little talent that was on the roster. It was basically replacing parts with the same parts hoping one performed slightly better. Murray is controlling the changes as needed to build this into a long term team. Bringing in a new piece just to bring in a new piece won't necessarily lead to better things and could disrupt whatever team chemistry exists. What if Moulson's presence on the team accounts for a 10-15% boost in the production of Okposo or another player simply by making it a happier workplace? The Jim Rutherford article on The Players Tribune spoke volumes about a lot of items no one ever realizes when moves are made.

The Sabres haven't proven they can win with those players in the lineup either. I think the key is that they are generally performing the same regardless of who is in the lineup and as such you have to look at the coach. Either that or you want to say your skilled players aren't as good. Moreover, Kulikov and Gorges are not the top 4 D on most good teams are they? I mean.. losing a SUPERSTAR player is more impactful than losing a STAR player... and so on. Eichel and ROR are great players... but they are not yet Stamkos and Price.

Also interestingly enough the Sabres give up an average of 1 more shot per game when Nilsson is in net. If I did the math correctly Lehner is averaging 31.07 shots per game and Nilsson 32.25. Now I am not sure how many shots attempted there were.. that would take longer to figure out.. I'd start Nilsson. He looks more composed overall.

Play 10 minute 5 on 5 overtime. Reward winning with 2 points, lose or tie no one gets any points. Let's see how many teams play conservative then.

Great game... but the lag in the second period was painful at times. So few shots on net... Still, they have to beat the top notch teams.. hopefully it keeps rolling for them.

You are correct.. there has to be a chain of command. What you are not correct about is what that chain HAS to be.... in the case of the Bills and the GM and Coach the Coach reported to the owner. This is changing, but it wasn't the case. A more nuanced point is that Pegula would have been wise to inform Whaley of the situation ahead of time and those two work together to craft a unified statement to the public. Pegula is very guilty of making poor organizational design and personnel decisions. He is certainly pretty poor at PR lately as well. Is he learning or is he just inept... that remains to be seen.

Eichel was called out in a game a few weeks ago about not hustling back and then proceeded to show some serious skating the next game to make up for it. I don't think he's feeling it that much. I think he's there physically, just not mentally. He can burn, he's just not choosing too. And I hope he expects more from himself.. I've no doubt he's every bit the competitor we want him to be... I just want to see it.

I was going to be there... I figured I would stop and watch the game before continuing onto Erie to spend the night before a double-header youth hockey matchup on Sunday... But then my son went and screwed everything up by getting himself in trouble.. so he gets no reward of seeing the game and hence... neither do I. Sigh.

I'm just looking for improvement out of the the players who need to be improving. If Eichel wants to bitch about the Sabres level of effort then he needs to set the example. Gliding behind plays, stupid passes into covered areas, and weak puck play along the boards is not the best example. If he wants to be the leader, then he needs to show it. So, I'd like to see Eichel, Reinhart, and Ristolainen put this team on their backs and say.. this is how we are going to play.

Here's the thing... The Bills don't actually suck as bad as people might think. The coaches were idiots. Ryan took a very good defense and managed to make it worse and then hired his brother and it became even worse than before. Two defensive "gurus" and the defense declined? Meanwhile, the offense is throwing up points. I'd say keep Lynn and go get Jim Scwartz back for defense. As for the Sabres... the injuries play a part in this. The talent isn't at the development point it needs to be and so all injuries are still significant (especially the players that have been missing). There are a few players that have been out or could be out and the team might improve but at the very least stay at the same level. Losing Eichel, ROR, Kane, and now Larsson creates a huge problem for the team. That said.. coaching is still a big issue.. something is still rotten in the locker room.. perhaps its the owners.

Well... you have to wonder what's happening with these franchises and the Pegula family now. The Bills debacle has certainly opened the door to the questions. It could lend to why Murray has been real quiet so far as well. Perhaps Bylsma was pushed by Pegula and Murray's distancing himself from the show? I think it's only a matter of time now before the question gets asked to him.

Man that sucks... knew it was bad when he hit the boards and that angle and speed. He's a big winner on faceoffs as well. Just a lot of glue there from that guy that's going to be missed.

Then perhaps he should do something about it. Gliding back behind a play is ridiculous.. one turnover and he won't be where he needs to be. Meh.. I'm pretty sure I saw Foligno bury one from Eichel last game. See above! Happening league wide now. The unofficial ban on fighting. You can love Eichel but his game is awful right now. His arrogance with the puck is killing him. He just ASSUMES he can make a play and it's not happening. Doesn't look like he cares or is trying out there right now. He only scored because Ristolainen made a great pass and he was lucky to put it through that mass of flesh in front of the net. Perhaps Eichel is the locker room problem? :)

Optics are what people make of them. The Sabres will continue to do just fine financially regardless of the season. Edmonton managed to put together a longer run of crappy seasons and they ended up with a new rink and are playing quite well these days. Even the fans that go away come back. I am sure Murray could put together a strong contender if the goal was to win now at all costs. The fans would get their 1-2 decent seasons and then everything would go into the crapper and we'd be left with a long stretch of playing even more terrible hockey with no hope of success. It all seems worth it when you've been working through losses for so long. I want a Detroit run at the playoffs, not a Panthers run. This season is the calm before the storm I suppose. The league is in limbo because of the expansion draft so taking on longer term players through a trade might prove tough if you have to expose them this summer.

It's all day hockey here. 1pm Sabres... 3:30 USA vs. Canada Man... at least one of those games has to go the way I want it to right? Meanwhile I'll be cooking and prepping for visitors tonight. The good news for me regarding the last game is that I was pretty sober when the Sabres scored their goals and by the time Boston was tying it up and winning my focus level was not the same... Hoping for a win!

Hopefully I can see the game tonight. Hanging out with friends and drinking a lot of beer where the average abv will be around 9%... should be a fun night! I think some of them even like hockey

Well, now I don't feel good about myself at all. :) I missed that then. It was interesting because they were talking between periods last night about their conversation with Bylsma and I think Duff was saying that Bylsma said the team was overthinking things and trying to be too perfect instead of just playing the game. Seems to contradict the other sentiment. I dunno..

Denmark beating Finland and the Swiss winning.... what?! Crazy things are afoot at the Circle K.

Torts is winning the Jack Adams award... and the world will explode.

I lied... I didn't start with a 10% abv beer... I was actually sober through 2 period of play. But the vodka set in quickly. Okay.. Eichel has GOT to stop just throwing the puck around. He's got a long way to go... but the good news is that he's getting there. His shot is ridiculous and his goal was a great example of "Dude, I don't need the goalies head to put it up that high." It was sweet and that's what we need to more often. His throwing passes around because he THINKS guys are there has to stop. No hate on him.. but he's gotta be more disciplined on some parts of his game. Lehner is killing me following the puck. He's like a dog and a ball.. go fetch.. oh sorry boy, I didn't throw it.. fooled you. Still trapped in their end too much... just not strong enough there. Kane... great game. His hands looked a little slower on the fight but we can give him a pass.

I can't be the only one who has flashbacks to Ron Rolston when I hear that... can I?

I'm just going to start tonight with a 10% abv beer... One way or another things will be great by the end of the night..

One coach... keeping Nolan was the fan placation technique and also a way to burn a year. It was a no brainer. Murray has a good track record and has hockey lineage. I think Pegula is starting to back off his influencing and will let hockey guys run the show (especially if he watched the Panthers mess). Dan is a failed coach because he failed out of Pittsburgh with some great talent. I don't think the hockey market is there yet to be aggressive. It wouldn't surprise me if there are minor moves made until the trade deadline and even then it might not be much. The impending expansion draft has to play into any deal on who a team will protect, etc. Deals are hard enough to manage but adding a significant variable to the mix won't help. At this point I think the season plays out as it does. A few players leave the younger players come up and next year is where it's Murray's make or break year. Meanwhile, this team is still good enough to be successful this year.