kas23

Agreed. It would be a very tricky situation to hire Keefe, but not promote Taylor from within. That said, after looking at their coaching experiences and past success, you can see that Keefe has had more sustained success at multiple levels. Plus, he has 2 years more experience coaching in the AHL as a HC and has won a Calder Cup. He’s definitely more qualified than Taylor, but it also sends Taylor a clear message; that Taylor will never have a chance to be promoted to HC in Buffalo. If Keefe becomes successful, then he’ll be locked in at HC for a long time. If Keefe bombs out, we definitely won’t be hiring an AHL coach next time around and besides, the whole organization (including Jbot and likely Taylor too) will likely be cleaned out as well.

Contract or not, I can’t see how someone can be legally compelled to work for a certain employer, especially when better opportunities exist. It certainly works the other way, coaches are commonly “relieved of their duties”. Players can get their contracts terminated. Of course, teams are compelled to continuing paying them. It seems to me, this is something that could be negotiated for if we really wanted him. That later 1st round draft pick could come up.

So, someone help me out with the Sabres speaking with Keefe. Toronto can say “no” and that’s it? What if he quit and then was hired? Or, is it the interview part?

So, remember when McLellan to the Kings “could be as early as tomorrow morning”?

Don’t forget Quennville.

I dunno. It wasn’t just this thread. It ended up on the front page of TBNs website, calling him the “leading candidate to become Sabres coach”.

True. But I meant it’s an abrupt end to this saga. Next up.

Oh damn.

I sure hope they are interviewing other candidates during this wait. Let McL know he’s not the only show in town, which may help him with his indecision.

I don’t think his agent would leak this information to the press. He wouldn’t have to. Behind closed doors, he’s allowed to share contract information with any team he wishes. He probably already faxed the Sabres contract to the Kings.

This is another aspect not being discussed. Do you think Jbot is prolonging his own job security by offering a prolonged deal? Indirectly, this may also give him a 5 year deal considering it’s unlikely he survives another coach firing. In reality, if Jbot is fires after 2 years, so will McL.

Keefe sounds like an excellent coach. However, are you worried about his age? Maybe it’s my perspective, but I’m 40 and can’t realize someone younger than myself taking on the responsibility of coaching an NHL team.

Anyone else find it ironic we are waiting for our next coach to be fired so we can sign them?

I’m all for hiring Michael J Fox.

True.

Correct. If he didn’t contact Q’s agent a week ago, I’d say he’s incompetent. That is, if Q signs with Florida, it doesn’t mean we were late to the game, it means he didn’t want to sign here.

This is a good point. I have to give Teddy a pass for his last stint here. He was set up to assuredly fail, which I’m sure killed a guy like him. Remember GMTM kept on dealing away his hot goalies? He’s used to getting the most out of his players and wouldn’t mind if he came back...to win this time. I think the bridge is burnt though.

At one point in this season, our roster contained the league leading goal scorer. Skinner was at the top. How did that work out for us? Do you honestly think plugging in a player who has experienced nothing but losing is going to automatically help us? I don’t have these answers. Again, to let you know where I’m coming from. I was a huge tank proponent. People said it will taint the team by instilling a losing culture. I laughed at this and called BS. Today, I’m not so sure. I see the same teams winning each year and I see the same old teams losing each year. There’s little movement between the groups, despite having very different drafting positions.

EDM is not just a “losing team”. That team is downright cursed and it’s not because they don’t have the talent. They certainly do. Draisaitl would probably do very well on a winning team, surrounded by people interested in winning, which would eventually rub off on him. This does not describe the Buffalo Sabres.

Seriously, those are computer generated images. They only exist digitally and they couldn’t even make him a proper sweater.

That look on his face when it was announced...priceless. There are things you can’t just un-see. That look will not be forgotten. As for a trade with EDM...there’s plenty of shiny items, but I’ll pass on any of those players. They’re tainted by the losing and dysfunction. The only way would be to dilute it out and scatter them all to opposites ends of North America. And not to the Sabres.

If I was a betting man, it was Pegs that hired Housley. He was a glamorous pick. A past Sabres hero - a pick that offered fans nostalgia. It’s just smells too much like a Terry pick.

This move may have been a blessing in disguise. In fact, anyone less than 22 should be sent down to Roch to shield them from the stink. There’s no possible benefit from young players being around this crew.

Would you trade Jack for Jack (ie #1 pick in 2019 draft)? I just think Eichel needs a different environment. One where he isn’t relied on to carry a team. A team that’s already winning and he’s just a cog of the wheel.

I just don’t think these sentences follow each other. They’re saying the opposite thing. I personally think players can play above their talent level. We saw this with Teddy. Can they do this consistently, not likely, but they don’t all have to all at the same time. We can have a different hero each night.