kas23

My expectation is we are suddenly going to be introduced to a new management or management structure. They will say they did extensive interviews and we will later learn there was no evidence of this.

I agree that a vet should have been brought in for Benson’s spot, but I also don’t think these players should be the ones complaining. We obviously have a defense issue. Benson probably played the best defense of all forwards, but players are complaining. Everyone wants to look to someone else for improvement but doesn’t want to step up to be that person themselves.

And yet we haven’t had one in 14 years and our GMs have been *****. I don’t see GMs under a POHO as *****, just lacking experience. It’s a mentoring relationship - most successful people have had a great mentor. It’s either that or you hire the guy once he has bounced around the league a bit and has learned (or not) from his mistakes. Call it Senior Advisor or POHO. Same thing. The ***** GM of the Panthers has this guy: https://www.nhl.com/panthers/info/rick-dudley

Maybe this is because Ruff being handed the keys is the most likely thing that will happen. Pegula isn’t going to can the whole front office and bring in some strangers, no matter how well-regarded they are. He abandoned that strategy a while ago. Trust is above competence. That said, while I don’t think Ruff knows how to coach them to be better, it would be astonishing if he didn’t know what the problems are. I don’t see a POHO as one who is dealing with the day to day management of the team, a GM does that. Although they may have veto power, I see Ruff as more of an advisor. I would rather him have this role given Terry has held this role since forever.

I think he knows a lot about hockey and is well connected. Your stats provide good reason on why he shouldn’t remain as head coach. Is a winning record as a head coach a requirement to be POHO? I do believe he should also help name a GM with more knowledge as well.

I’ll be happy with Ruff going to POHO. All ACs gone or the decision of the next HC. And Kevyn donning the Sabretooth costume.

I had a dream about this game 2 night ago. We won 11-4. Or, maybe it was 7-4.

I only have one question for them “when will the Sabres Embedded during the 13 game losing streak be released?”

It’s going to be a game of epic proportions.

I should know better by now, but I’m completely miffed that a GM could trade for $7.95M in damaged goods and there’s no repercussions. Was this truly the best trade out there? Would’ve been better to waive Cozens.

He did. But he’s mostly a non-mobile QB. He’s never had to rely on his bursts and doesn’t have to be a strong runner. His job is to take a few steps back and throw the ball. Outside of QB, Achilles injuries are usually death sentences in football. Look at Takao Spikes, Sam Cowert, and more recently, Tre White.

Yeah, probably. I knew he tore it once, didn’t realize he’s been pretty much done since then. There’s Duclair too, which is probably why Florida quickly moved on from him.

From what I read, I like Bear. The Achilles injury scares me. It may just be knowing what happened to Jack Quinn, but then there’s Erik Karlsson and Pacioretty. Here’s some literature about coming back from a torn Achilles: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11607746/

And just remember, it wasn’t long ago many were calling them a dumpster fire when they lost a 1st rounder for the Dadanov fiasco and Staios hired himself as the GM.

Agree, Ostlander doesn’t look too bad.

I wouldn’t even give him the 15 games. Quinn is probably at his highest value since being injured. Giving an extra 15 games would be a gamble unless he has a much different offseason than last summer. Trade him for a defensively-sound top 6 forward. We also have prospects coming out our ears who could probably replace at the same production, minus the injury concern overhang.

I would ship Quinn out. There’s a very good (not excellent) possibility he regains his past production. We’ve seen glimpses of this already. His value is at the highest it’s been post-injury, so would be a good time to sell and actually get the type of player we need. Preferably a defensively-sound one. We have plenty of excellent prospects in our pipeline to replace him, why roll the dice on a questionable one.

I know this is what has happened the last 3 seasons in a row. And I know recency bias is strong here, but I don’t think I’m on board with blowing things up. Firing everyone will guarantee more losing seasons. I don’t want them to run it back though. They need to go into this offseason with a different plan, starting with a structured conditioning program. Professionals enter the season ready to play. It takes the Sabres about 3-4 months to be ready to play. If Ruff wants to step aside, I’m fine with this. But, I want him picking the next HC, not KA or Terry. They also need a better plan for goaltending not named Levi. He needs another year in Rochester.

Yep. Actually surprised Gretzky is fairly low on this list: https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/which-player-has-the-most-game-winning-goals-in-nhl-history To compare, here is list of ENG leaders. You don’t have to search long to see Gretzky’s name. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask?q=nhl+empty+net+goals+leaders+all-time

Zucker is streaky. When he’s on, he’s on. As for Norris, would love for KA to explain if he knew of this mystery injury prior to trading for him. And if not, why it wasn’t disclosed at the physical. I like the concept of Greenway, but I don’t think we should’ve signed him. His worst ability, which is on display very often, is availability. Dude is constantly injured.

Your right. My bad. Was thinking of Inkman.

The Sabres are winning right now. You argued in another thread Novikov getting called up shouldn’t displace a roster spot on defense, which I agree with. It would be the epitome of Sabres hockey of the last 14 years for an AHL call-up to displace someone in the middle 6. Östlund is very likely better than anyone on our 4th line. If he want to move up the lines, he can earn it.

I see him more of a luxury or lotto pick at this point. I could see him getting picked in the later half of 1st round by a perennial playoff team. Or maybe 2nd round.

I approve. He has earned this. It should be a message sent to all players. You do well, you get rewarded.