I am Defecting

The Sabres were 1-10-1 in the 12 games before they re-signed Nolan to a multi-year contract. At that time, 14 months ago, Murray said , “We have to get him better players. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.” Did Murray get Nolan better players? No, but the Sabres did get Nolan’s replacement better players. I admire Nolan in that he fought a good fight in his struggle for victories. His nagging Murray for better players, in the face of a blatant tank job, cost him his job, perhaps. He might have lost it either way, but I admire how he went out risking everything, head held high. You could say that losses were wins in those days, but in the heat of the battle,I felt quite strongly that Nolan was being set up to fail, and would be made scapegoat. To me it seems the fallout began with Nolan hinting at wanting more time to work with Mark Pysk. Nolan praised Pysk quite heavily, calling him NHL ready, etc. and made it clear that he wanted him up with the team. The BN described it as lobbying , and perhaps used the situation as an example of the tank run amok when Pysk was sent down. That’s the way that I remember the fallout beginning. It grew colder from there. I felt that Nolan was being more honest about the situation, and, if you've got to choose sides, I found that more admirable. Perhaps Nolan isn’t a great coach, but what I also admired was his defiant attitude in the face of adversity. That attitude could go a long way on a better team. And to say he isn’t an X’s and O’s coach is due perhaps to Nolan’s emphasis on the mental aspects of the game. On a team without elite physical talent, I could forgive a coach for trying to coach them up mentally. What’s an X’s and O’s coach? That makes hockey seem like Atari. I never expect coaches to divulge their system publicly. He was clearly drawing something on the whiteboards, be it X’s, O’s, P’s or Q’s, it didn’t take a genius to figure out, as Murray said, he needed better players. Though I was skeptical, I hoped that Murray had an ace up his sleeve when he fired Nolan, maybe even a trump like Babcock. Murray clearly thought he could land Babcock, otherwise, why pursue him? The lesson I’ve learned thus far is that Murray doesn’t hold all the cards regarding who he can sign. But, there are potentially better coaches than Nolan whom Murray may be able to hire. I don’t think it was a shot at Nolan, what Murray said. Nolan couldn’t smooth over whatever rift developed, and Murray didn’t seem to want to patch things up, or get Ted better players for last season either. That said, Nolan shouldn’t want a public fight now, and neither should Murray. If Babcock, or Bylsma or whomever called Nolan, I’m sure Ted would give them some version of a story where he was promised better players, and when he didn’t get them, the relationship went sour. Both Murray and Nolan run the risk of seeming difficult to work with and impossible to please. I don’t think it was shot at Nolan, what Murray said, nor what Weber and other players didn’t say. If the players had anything good to say about Nolan, it would be risking their jobs to say it. If they had anything bad to say, I haven’t heard a peep yet. Anybody can make up what they want to hear, in the silence, thus far on the issue. We speculate a lot on this message board. It’s just speculation. I’m just noting that I didn’t take offense, as a Nolan fan, to what Murray said, because the internet meme of Ted Nolan, that you might take his words to represent – work hard, forecheck – probably doesn’t register with Murray, a guy that’s re-hired and fired worked with Nolan extensively. There’s little there to indicate he was talking about Nolan. Murray seemed to be trying to get across the point that it would take a lot of sophistication both to get the open coaching job, and to hire the right guy this time.

If we can prevent Crosby from winning Shart Ross, tee hee, I will be happy.

All on the same page, then? :unsure:

Hated by some fans in Buffalo, but admired by the rest of the World, if Nolan pulls this off. I have to go out of town, so will not see what happens or fan reaction. I expect Sabres to lose tonight, but do not hope for it. Have fun. Adieu. ps. I will be back in time for massive revolt, @fakegorby. I wouldn't miss it for all of the vodka in Mongolia.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. I am sorry Calti. You probably do speak English as first language. I am re-assured of that now, in the clear dawn light. :(

Guess you must have faith to believe in the words of charlatans. You all are worshiping at the alter of Mel Kiper, assuring as you are, like prophets, you happen to be proselytizing to all who come within your influence. "Possibly wayne gretzky or for sure messier or modano" Assured. Have the words "I hope that" been removed from the English Language? No needs to sound like an expert.

I've bolded "assures" to prove that you have little grasp of English. Is English your second language? If so, welcome to our country! I hope we can help you to understand the facts from the opinions, so that you will not be taken advantage of.

Let's Go Buffalo! Pretty good reward, either way. Damned extremists see it otherwise.

Our guys win at all costs.

It's nothing to be proud about. People make mistakes. I've made a few, and they resulted in warning points. That was a different time, though, where winning was winning, and we would shoot Coyotes on sight. Callaway ain't half bad for starting this thread, but it goes against the current, and he can either realize it, or fight against it. Likely, he'll ignore it, seeing as he ain't even signed in. I reckon it ain't a jinx, it's just a bunch of losers rooting for Coyetes, and a guy who is standing up for the right to such leisure time activities. Hyah!

Gotta see the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Doctor Suess show. It's gonna be mental. The boy's gonna have a newfound respect for cellos after that one.

Delete the thread. It's easy Callaway Sabres. Click the button.

The moderators aren't moderating. Half of my warning points came from starting supposedly stupid threads, which, at the time I thought were smart.

Favorite lyric: Holy cow! You do it to yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miRuuTNUnMk

I thought it was clever.

I would hire Ted Nolan as personal coach if he is not retained by the Sabres. I would like to make two points. Firstly, no matter what GMTM might want, it will be up to TP. Secondly, it has been reassuring to me personally to hear Ted Nolan speak about trying your best, and living for the present in the face of adversity. I think he is a good coach. I am not an expert. I will, however, claim as much expertise in judging a man's character as the next gal. To me, Ted Nolan is an absolute keeper. I am tired of the drama - the I will hate you unless, the I will not spend a dime unless, the do this or else. It is a team game, and even the boss is just a player in the game. When people say "perspective," they usually do so to claim objectivity, or even omniscience. In this case, it is just me, and what I think of the guy.

McDavid making me look like a fool tonight. Erie had home ice advantage, but Marner's opening shortie gave the Knights the early lead. The Knights were outshot 20+ to 3 after 1. Domi tacked on another at the beginning of the second, and was looking like a miracle in the making. Then it all came together for the Otters, who scored 5 unanswered. It's a 7 game series, but McDavid and company just made a big statement.

How about you give out lots and lots of laser pointers to fans entering the game? You will have to trust that they will not try to target players eyes with them.

The Otters just filed for bankruptcy.

You would certainly gain notoriety, and it would be interesting to talk about. I have never accepted the premise that they should be trying to lose, but if I did accept that premise, I could see the merit in your plan. As a pure hypothetical, how would you pull it off?

Classic Heinz Dilemna. Except that, instead of stealing medicine to save your wife, you would be doing something really useful. I will be looking out for you in the police blotter, SabresFaninRochester.

That had better not be a reference to camel toe! Looks more like a mooseknuckle to me. :wub: Anyhow, comrades, though it appears we will never be able to come to a consensus as to what makes for the ideal Russian woman, in this thread, we can, at least talk about what makes for the ideal Canadian teenage boy, which is hockey. As you know, I am intrigued by Marner. He is my dark horse. He is my... What-if-Patrick-Kane... I see much potential in the boy, if one can judge from much Youtube, many stats sheets, and selective prose literature. Also, I watched Junior World Championships. No Marner. McDavidThere is something to this idea of rates of growth that intrigues me. It goes back to my days as a track star for the Soviet Women's National Teams. At 17, and even 18, there are some that look full grown, and some that will grow some more. We shall see.

They are what you get for posting pictures of 19th Century Nude Portraits. You in?

Are you lookin' to rack up warning points, 'cause I'm lookin' to rack up warning points. :devil: :devil: :devil:

Sabres "win" vs. Columbus. I am not glad that you have worked yourselves into such contortions boys, But, relax, and give yourselves some credit. This whole time, you have hardly recognized how smart, logical, and practical this whole losing is winning thing is. Why don't you take this opportunity to pat selves on back? I have not heard a thing about smart hockey fans in ages, you are so worried, and meanwhile it is left to girls to post meat and potatoes prospect talk. Feel better, guys.