LTS

Yes, and yet here are all these players having trouble with the basics of the game. It's not coaching onsides so much as coaching the details in the game. You allow the players to cut corners and they will adapt to that level of play. The overall play deteriorates because opponents don't allow those corners to be cut. The team being held to the precision required to push the line but NOT be offsides is one example of demanding focus and precision across all aspects of the game.

Which Granato? 🙂

Maybe I need to change my avatar? It's a good day. Now we can all debate what comes next. I think the bigger message here is that Steve Smith is gone. Ralph was admittedly just the motivator... Smith has persisted behind the scenes and our D coverage has been awful.

That's true, but I think the Pegulas eventually sell if they can't get it right. At some point they will care enough to not be tied to what they've created. The team will eventually get better. But potentially not for awhile. I agree with your last statement, but the love for hockey in Buffalo is not solely seeded by the Sabres. I think having a team, in market, that can win back hearts will do so. By no means am I saying this ideal, it's anything but. I just give a lot of credit to the fans of hockey in Buffalo and surrounding areas.

I would imagine that the stuff you see in the games is accepted in practice and that's the problem. There is clearly no attention paid to the little things and those little things make a difference. Everything about how they play, to me, indicates poor coaching. A team that is not sharp and not required to be sharp.

Buffalo is an established market that craves hockey. Everyone recognizes that. This ownership team has pretty much used up its capital, but the franchise and the city continue to be held in high regard by many. This ownership group may be on its last legs barring some miraculous turnaround, but I think everyone comes running back if the Sabres return to even a moderate level of respectability.

Everyone gets better when they leave Buffalo. 🙂 Although Byron did have a good run in Montreal.

I wonder if Ralph is consulting on other items within PSE and the coaching job is just a way to pay him. Seems like a sham that he's brought in, at a higher salary than necessary, to achieve the horrendously poor results we're seeing. There has to be another reason he was brought here, and is still here, making what he makes. If there isn't, then the Pegulas are demonstrating what monumentally poor owners they are. If there is, then the Pegulas are demonstrating their willingness to screw the fans of one team for potential benefit elsewhere. The third option is that they don't want to add any additional cost into the organization at the coach level. Naturally they will also be taking a hit in the fan column and reducing their already reduced revenue from the fans as more and more people grow weary of the nonsense and losing. All in all, the bottom line, this team is failing by every measure and the ownership has not taken action. That's 100% on them.

Hated to break out the old avatar... but I reached that point. I'll go to the gym tonight instead of watch the game. Hope for the best always, but this team is not worth the time investment anymore, let alone any actual monetary investment.

It never looked like you were talking to yourself. It looked like you responded to a poster 6 times within an hour or so each time calling that person Kim and refusing to step away from it. And yes, it was obvious the poster said they deleted posts because that was not the kind of poster they wanted to be. Should I condemn them for that realization?

People questioning his heart and leadership began long before he was a captain. Last season was the first season where he played engaged almost at all times. I don't think it's that pathetic to wonder why he might be disenfranchised with this team and what it has done. Another point to consider, there's a point past which making an attempt to play is not in the best interest of the team. Clearly Eichel was at that point and had been hovering around it for the season. There's a certain level of arrogance that says, even at 50% I am better than the next guy the team has.

Oh yeah. I've no doubt they are looking to build up that area. The problem is no one is going to go because they'll be so sick of the ownership team. Or.. maybe who am I kidding.. people will forgive all if the team starts performing.

Jesus, obnoxious much? It really should not be acceptable to start trashing other posters just because they want to provide thoughts that run counter to your own. Not even a reasonable response to the poster, just immediately labeling the person Kim and starting on some some petulant little tirade. Grow up.

Saying Eichel can come back for the playoffs will keep teams interested in offering up trades for him. He's as good as gone and I think we need to just accept it. He doesn't have to "want" out. I think they are going to deal him anyway.

I can't even believe I logged in here today to see what was being said. I love this place, but its primary subject matter is an irritation I really don't want to deal with any longer. It's really feeling like the end for me. This ownership group has destroyed my love of this team.

Whoever came up with the plan for getting fans in seats is getting fired. Because no fans are going to be in the seats.

This is right. If you are in market you can get the Sabres games.... 48 hours after they happen. That's why I have Fubo and not nhl.tv

How hard do you think he is trying at this point? Why would he be motivated? Teams are going to look at some players on this team and determine that if they had something to play for and they weren't handcuffed by the coach there might be very different results. Remember, it's not just US questioning what the Sabres are doing. Analysts, former captains, etc. are all wondering what the Sabres are doing.

I wouldn't even do that as it gives money to the Pegulas. As far as I am concerned, they can get in their yacht and sail of the edge of the world.

The week ends... and for various reasons my kids don't have anything going on this weekend. It's a free weekend. Now to figure out what to do with it.

How about the language of reasons... there's always that if he doesn't like the excuses. 🙂

How long is the average recovery from a bruised ego?

Yeah.. I mean I wouldn't say its intentional, but ultimately its dirty. The team has no will at this point. I can't blame them. I've got less Fs than Timmeh at this point.

Yep. A close contact. So now my son is stuck in the house until next Wed. He's tested negative but the process is the process. He'll miss a few things he really wanted to be part of so I hope this is a life lesson for him. This is why we preach the rules, even if we don't love them. At least we're not impacted, so I can still go out! 🙂

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2019/05/16/ralph-krueger-returns-to-the-nhl-as-coach-of-the-buffalo-sabres/?sh=4aef1ca370ce