mjd1001

I never said Lindy was a genius, I said he is better than he is given credit for. Again, a young team, no legit goalie, his main stars missing games due to injury, and the team got worse when he got fired.

I just posted this in another thread in more detail...but if you want a coaching change I'd bring Lindy back. He led team with probably a younger core than the Sabres to 112 points and a playoff win last year (with no legit goalie) and he had the Devils 'in the mix' this year with still no goalie, and with Hughes, Hirschier, Meier and Hamilton (probably 4 of their top 6 players) missing games due to injury. Since he got fired, the team has done worse. To me that shows, despite some saying he can't coach a younger team, that he CAN adjust and coach a younger team, and his success shows the game has 'not passed him by' I'd want him back for 2 years (or so) and give that a shot. Again, that is IF Granato is let go.

I like that plan I love Lindy. If a change is made, I want him to come back and he is my first choice, but he's not a long term solution. 2-3 year deal for him, and maybe you can get a quality, highly rated assistant by letting him know Lindy isn't going to be here for 10 years, and if the team improves, that assistant (or assistants) will be in the running for the next head coaching job. Last year Lindy took a very young New Jersey team (4 of their top 5 scorers were 24 years old or younger), got them 112 points, and won a playoff series over the Rangers without a legitimate NHL goalie. This year, he was fired after leading the team to 64 points in 61 games, some games without probably his 3 best forwards for periods due to injury (Hughes, Meier and Hischier) and best overall D-man for most of the season (Hamilton). His 'replacement' has gotten 15 points in 18 games, worse than Lindy. When you look at the big picture, Lindy has ties to Buffalo. He took a young team to a great record this year, and since he got fired, the team he coaches has performed worse. If you are making a change, offer it to him.

Greenway and Cozens I am thinking the same way about today. I wasn't happy with their play most of the year. Then in January and February, the started to look a LOT better. I took that as them 'turning the corner' in their play. But recently, they have regressed to their production level of the first half of the season. I took them having a 10-15 game stretch of good/productive play and projected it forward thining that is who they were. My mistake. Bad players or players having bad seasons, even they have good stretches in those seasons. I mistook a handful of games for them actually playing well long term.

As I have said over and over, I'm not on the fire Granato bandwagon. Its not that I am assured he is a great coach, I think he is "OK". But my problem is, put most coaches in the Sabres position, with what I THINK is a somewhat 'meddling' owner, a desire to allow assistant coaches that are good to go elsewhere and replace them with lower priced guys, and an overall lack of Pegula willing to put up assets/dollars to push this franchise forward.....well...I'm not sure any good coaches will want the job, and any other 'average' coaches won't do much better with the assets to back them up. You could change coaches and they might improve next year, but that would be more because the team is 'maturing' and 'aging up' if it does happen. Before a head coach or GM change happens, I want to see a greater comittement from ownership to support the franchise in other ways (assistant coaches, development, etc.)

Since the last time the Sabres made the playoffs: 7 head coaches. 18 first round draft picks. 10 top-10 picks, 4 1st or 2nd overall picks. 4 general managers. 6 or 7 head coaches of their AHL affiliate (development). I don't even know how many changes in upper management (Ted Black, Pat Lafontaine, Kim Pegula...others? I don't even know anymore) A decaying arena. 20+, maybe more, trades involving all stars or former first round players going in or going out. ONE owner. Zero playoffs in 13 years. After Pegula said the reason for the franchise existing was to win the Cup, The team has not started a single season with him as an owner even making the playoffs. Probably the longest/worst stretch of lack of success in all of modern professional sports. One owner, Overseeing it all. I'd start with the owner. But that is the one position that hasn't changed and is least likely to change.

The cost of housing. Our daughter finally has a full time, decent (not great) but decent job, and is saving money looking for a house. There is zero chance of her buying on on her own. We are willing to help her a bit with it, but again, wow. A 30 year old (or slightly newer) 2 or 3 bedroom in the suburbs within a few miles of us...prices have gone up more than 50% in the last couple of years. We own a house in Florida we rent out (probably selling it soon, we have zero desire to return to Florida) but I have noticed something in the area where we own it and read about this other places too. People in CONCEPT want more affordable housing for young people...but in order for that to happen, new supply has to be brought onto the market, or smaller/cheaper unites need to be built. So what is the problem with that? I have noticed that anytime a proposal is brought up to do that in a county or town, Home-owning senior citizens show up and make sure that doesn't get passed. ANYTHING that lowers (or even prevents the continued increase in home prices) also means when they look at the value of THEIR home on Zillow, the number doesn't go up as much, and they don't like that. In Florida there was a proposal to build a new subdivision about 10 miles from our house down there that would have smaller, more 'basic" houses built. Apparently at the meeting for it, 50+ people showed up to speak against it (mostly senior citizens) saying they don't want it because it would impact their home values. Up here by us, there is an apartment complex recently built and they want to make apartments in it that are almost 'house sized' (over 1200 sq feet, 3 bedroom apartments) and again, a bunch of people showed up saying no to it...only studios or one bedrooms...because if you make 3 bedroom apartments available for rent, that is less demand for housing and their home values will go down. You can't have 'affordable' housing if every time a proposal comes up for that you have people show up not wanting it, because they want to see the 'paper' value of their current homes keep going up.

Many know, I'm not in favor of firing Granato, is he perfect, no, but I think this season's failure is more on the players than the coach. However, if you are going to change coaches..... I think you need the GM AND the owner present for interviews, and if you want a top coach like Brind'Amour, you are going to have to tell him...here is your 4-5 year deal....YOU are going to have input into the roster AND the direction of the roster. Basically, something I don't think Pegula would want...but if the GM and Coach (or in this case the coach) says...I don't want this guy...or I want to draft this guy...he gets basically the final say. Sure, the owner should be informed of moves but not involved in decision making. It has to be more of.....letting the owner know what the moves being made are, and explain to him WHY they are being made, thats it. We can't have Pegula wanting Leino...or sitting on on personal meetings, asking questions about day-to-day things. Its not a good work environment for have the owner 'sitting in' on coaching meetings, personal meetings, giving his input and expecting things to be run by him. Sure, Pegula has the RIGHT to do that, but you want to attract a new coach, not an unknown, a minor league guy, or an older guy on his 4th chance.....then that new guy needs to know him and the GM run the franchise...the owner will be informed, but not involved. If Terry doesn't want that then fine, but then he, and all of us, have to accept the consequences of that.

There isn't anything wrong with that article, but its almost like someone took AI and had them scan this entire site of every post, and then write an article that consolidated common opinions and stats brought up into an aritlce. Great article for the casual fans and a great summary of the season, but most of what was in there was discussed over and over on this forum.

I'd just expect a little more from Cozens, seeing how he had 30 last year, and he's been a full time player for 3+ years now. Plus you do have numerous young players doing well in a variety of circumstances....Wyatt Johnson is playing a big role on Dallas fighting for the presidents trophy. Locan Cooley and Dylan Guenther aren't playing for anything at all in Arizona. Lucas Raymond is in the middle of a playoff push just like the Sabres. Those are just 4 guys I found in looking at stats for 30 seconds.....all of them younger than Cozens, all of them putting in goals at (or close to) a goal every other game over the same year end stretch drive. I am very hard on Cozens, but after last year, and him getting paid $7m+, I really REALLY want more production from him.

Agree. I guess you can see if Krebs 'magically changes' over the offseason and becomes a guy who can produce 10-15 goals and 40 points next year. I'm not thinking that can happen though, but it might? But even if it does, I don't think you want to assume that will happen. Bring in a veteran guy that has a history of at least decent production. If Krebs transforms into something special, you can make room for him,but you need an additional legit center in here that isn't currently on the roster or in Rochester.

4 goals and 2 assists over the same period of time for Skinner. Not good at all, for sure someone in the category of not 'stepping up' when the team needed him. But Skinner's 4 goals in 18 games over that time (18 goal pace, 1.16 goals per 60) is actually a LOT more productive than Cozens ((5 goal pace, 0.26 goals per 60) or Krebs (5 goal pace, 0.30 goals per 60). Either way, take that moment (March 3) where they were in the best position all year as far as making the playoffs (other than the start of the season), playing their very best all year....where the next month was going to be the most critical month of upcoming games for this team wanting to make the playoffs (again, since the beginning of the year), and Thompson, Tuch, Peterka, Dahlin....they really stepped up and produced in that critical stretch. Skinner did not, but Krebs and Cousins REALLY did not. 1 goal in 18 games, hardly any assists, being overall minus player....they basically disappeared when the team need players to step up.

I posted this in another thread, but it applies to your post. I agree most of what you said. And yes, Krebs and Cozens can get better/get back on track, but something is very worrying: -As in my other post, optimism hit is peak around here on March 2, Sabres had just won 5 of 6, beat Vegas 7-2, and were above the .500 points per game mark. I'd honestly say that was the point of peak optimism and things went bad since then. In 17 games since then, Thompson scored 11 goals in those 17 games and 20 points, and has been a plus 11. BUT...Krebs and Cozens. Starting that stretch, the stretch that was going to determine whether you made the playoffs or not...They both played 18 games, both had 1 single goal each in those 18 games, and were both minus players.

I think it was the March 7nd game against Vegas (a 7-2 win) that optimism for this team possibly making a run at the playoffs hit a peak. They had just won their 5th in 6 games (wins over Carolina, Tampa, and Vegas of course), the only loss being a 1 goal loss to Florida in Florida, and they passed the .500 point percentage for the first time in a long time. Since then, things haven't gone well. Who exactly showed up and who didn't since then during the stretch to the playoffs, that obviously failed: -Tage showed up. 11 goals, 20 points, +11 in 17 games (53 goal, 96 point, +53 pace projected over 82 games) -Peterka, 9 goals in 18 games. -Tuch, 18 points in 18 games. Who didn't? Cozens. 1 goal. 5 points. -3. In 18 games. I get it, he's 23. But is risky to rely on Cozens as your #2 center next year.

What was I wrong about. Of course, if replying to what I said makes you feel better without telling me what is wrong...I guess good for you. I don't know if it fascinates or me more, or if its something else that when I make a comment about people swearing...all that stuff I said in my previous posts...that SO many come back at me and defend that behavior. Mind you, I'm not talking about criticizing the team and wanting them to be better...I get that...but so many people want to criticize me for pointing out the level of hatred and ill-wishing onto others that some have embraced.

Not even close, that isn't anywhere near what I was saying. But I guess you (and others) want to swear, say people are useless, wish for them to lose jobs...etc....THAT is ok, but its not me OK for me to say I agree with the concept of some of it, but don't like the level of hatred and swearing that is being used here? Yeah, take what I said to the level you did...lol, if that makes you feel better, because you are just wrong. Wanting more is expected. Saying you want changes, explaining why...yeah, that is totally expected. But as per my other posts right above, my comment was not about those things, my post is about the fact there is so much hatred and foul language and ill wishing here. If you people can't tell the difference, or you think its acceptable to feel that way because your hockey team is losing...wow.

Yes, but there is a difference between wanting better....and the level of hatred that some are filling up these threads with. See, that is my problem. If there is a binary choice of "joining the hate" or "don't come on a message board"...yeah, that is bad and that says, at the very least, something about the people who want to hate and spill vitriol and don't like it when people like me say its a bit over the top. Join the angry mob or go away! um...no thanks.

Wow, the name calling, complaining, vulgarity, becuase a HOCKEY team we follow is losing? Fire people! Swearing in comments (or wanting to) so ***** must be used, Players and the team 'sucks ass', guys are 'useless' or 'wastes of space'. Really? I think all of us want this team to win, but does being so negative, so full of hate and vitriol at a hockey team and needing to express it that way make all of you feel better?

Which means they are a lot better once you hit the first intermission, meaning the coaches are great at making adjustments. It can be argued either way. To me wins and losses, goals scored vs allowed across the entire game matter, when goals are scored vs allowed mean virtually nothing compared to the totals across the entire game.

3 points is what they will miss by

He wasn't that bad. It really was when the calendar changed to 2024 he really heated up. The 'half season' of production starting January 1st to now: 32 starts, .921 save percentage, 2.25 gaa The 'bad' half season before that: 15 starts, .892 save percentage, 3.13 gaa Comrie? .864 save percentage, 3.91 gaa, and 1 win in 9 starts. Even the 'bad' UPL was no where near, not even close to as bad as Comrie has been this year.

I saw Gretzky as a kid..and Jagr, and Ovi, Lindros (for his short prime) and McDavid and Matthews. For me, no one was more terrifying, more unstoppable than Mario Lemieux in his prime. In my hockey lifetime, 2 guys were head and shoulders above that entire list. Lemieux and Hasek. When they were on, the closest things to a literal hockey interpretation of an irresistible force and an immovable object. Back to the original point though..when you take into consideration pure observable talent, longevity, production at the peak of their career....I believe Ovi is the best pure goal scorer I have ever seen.

I'm going to repeat what stands out to me, this defense group, top to bottom is a lot better than many give credit to WHEN the forwards support them in their own end just at an average level. Everyone on the D-group looks bad when the forwards would float near the blue line, lost 70% of loose puck battles in the D-zone or just vacate entire areas of the ice. Since the first of the year, something happened where the forwards got a lot better in their own zone, and guess what? The defense looks a LOT better. Not perfect, not the best group in the league, but from Dahlin at the top of the lineup to the bottom, including guys like Bryson and Clifton, they all look like real NHL quality guys back there. Does that mean that Bryson and Clifton will never make mistakes again costing the team goals? No, but to me it means they are true, quality 3rd pair guys that can function on a winning team, not borderline AHL guys that are only playing because there is no better option.

I really do think you are looking at $4.5m for 3 or 4 years. If I had to guess I think that is the asking price. For those who say you don't go over $4m....if he refuses to sign a multi-year deal unless you bumped it up to the $4.5-5m range...what do you do? Look to move him? Let him go to arbitration where every once in a while you get some crazy numbers? I think Samsanov went to arbitraion in Toronto last year if I'm not mistaken. His numbers were slightly better overall, but not as good as the run UPL is on. The 3.6m he got in arbitration, I guess that would be equivilant to $3.8-$4 with a higher projected cap, so many an arbitration award wouldn't be that bad for one year. But then if he has another good year, the price goes WAY up the following year.

Ok, last time they played was back in November, these are different teams now. Back then, Sabres lost 5-1. Eric Johnson had 17 minutes of ice time. Samuelsson played but got hurt during the game. Rousek, Biro, Okposo, and Mitts played (all of them had 14 minutes or more of ice time), and Quinn did not play. UPL started, allowed 5 goals on just 17 shots, a 0.737 save percentage for the game. Of course, the Sabres did beat the Flyers just a few days before that game 5-2, a game UPL stopped 30 of 32 shots and Brandon Biro had 2 goals. It seems to me this is the type of team the Sabres don't match up well against (not as talented, but harder working). I feel pretty good about this one tonight though, I think this is another win for the Sabres.