kas23

Our goaltending was great for a total of 10 games. That’s a small fraction of a whole season. All the other games, they’ve been average at best. This hasn’t changed. This team is now the worst in the league. We can’t even blame it on injuries. Something just isn’t adding up. Is it lack of stamina? I just don’t see how a team with average talent is at the bottom of the basement. I see players just giving up. Not a lack of talent. I was the biggest proponent of the Tank years. We got Jack and I was ecstatic. Some on here were strongly against it. Saying it’ll teach a losing atmosphere. Yada yada yada. I scoffed at this notion. But, now, I’m starting to wonder if they were right. Ever since Sam and Jack (even McDavid) have come into the league, all they’ve done is lose. This may sound crazy, but what if we’ve poisoned the well and they’re damaged goods?

Then I think the captaincy needs to be removed. Maybe he has too much on his shoulders? Regardless, this team is in dire need of good leadership. That’s the reason for this historic meltdown. Not goaltending. Not lack of forwards. And not lack of defense. This team has managed to progressively get much worse as the season has moved forward. The status of our goaltending, defense, and forwards hasn’t changed. If these were the problem, we should be treading water as a below average team. We’re not even that. We’re in free fall.

Ok. Do you think the players have quit on their coach? If yes, what responsibility does the captain have in such a situation? If yes, how frequent are players allowed to quit on their coach? Of no, then I agree with you, but most of those problems won’t be solved by firing PH. I just think the “system” blaming needs to take a backseat. We complained we didn’t have the right system with Bylsma and now we’re complaining about PH’s system. I remember clearly how much we were complaining about Bylsma. People were throwing themselves off buildings. We wanted an “up tempo” game. Well, we got one. But, now we’re back to complaining.

I’ll give Dahlin as pass. He’s 18 and this is his first season in the NHL. As for Skinner, he’s a veteran and he’s all but disappeared. It’s doesn’t make much sense to give out $8M/season contracts to a player on this team right now.

No doubt Eichel is a terrific player. On the ice, he’s one of the best in the league. I’m talking about off the ice though. For better or worse, by now he should have total control over that locker room. I understand we can’t really tell if a team has quit on their coach without talking to the players directly. But, if it’s true, that makes it 2 coaches in a row that have been quit on. That looks very bad. I just don’t think hiring a new coach will fix our problems. What happens when they quit on the next one?

We’re probably the worse team in the NHL right now. Same as last year, the year before, and probably the year before this. 3 different coaches, the same results. The only “narrative” I’m bringing up is that everyone needs to be critically evaluated and no one has a ticket to escape accountability.

Do you think the team has quit on PH? If so, then it’s not bad forwards. Jack is the captain. He’s needs to be part of solution, not negative and certainly not neutral. He’s not a teenager anymore.

I hate to say it, but maybe the Sabres should be listening to offers for Jack? He’s been the common denominator in all this losing and obviously he’s not leading. His lack of leadership is more impactful than the positives he brings on the ice. I would never do it unless a player of similar caliber is coming back and then some. Waiting for a trade demand will automatically drop his value. I’m not saying to run him out of town, but let’s begin to take the blinders off. Honeymoon is over.

This is a wonderful idea. This will help build the product, rather than the continuous dilutory expansion teams that are added. European kids can grow up seeing NHL games in person and build their dreams. Awesome idea.

HIPAA wouldn’t apply to a reporter. It only a contract between a patient and those delivering his/her healthcare.

Geez. The Sabres should hire a team psychiatrist during the 2019 offseason. A good handful of players end of depressed and end up wanting to leave or quit. Lehner, O’Reilly, Berglund, & Leino immediately come to mind.

Doubt it. If he was 100% sure of not signing here, he would’ve likely been shipped out at the deadline, even if it was for an extra heavy bag of pucks.

Never underestimate the stupidity of another team’s GM. If we pay him $8M then we are paying for a 45g scorer to be on Eichel’s wing for the next 5-6 years. A reasonable contract. If another team pays him $8M, then they are likely overpaying. However, while Eichel is a great player, he’s not unique. There are other centers out there that can feed Skinner just as well. What if we are competing with that team to sign him?

I don’t think it matters at all what Skinner would score on a non-Eichel team. That is some other GM’s worry. The fact is, we have Eichel and he’s playing on Skinner’s line and Skinner will likely eclipse 45 goals for our team. That boosts his value for us, but not for another team. So, if we pay X amount of money, we are paying for a player that is likely going to score 45 goals for us, not a 30 goal scorer on a different team. If another GM wants to take the gamble that he’ll be a 45 goal scorer on their team, that’s none of our concern.

My guess is he’ll try to sign on with another team. If/when he fails to get what he wants, he’ll file his grievance with the Sabres. Really bad precedent if the league allows this back door to test the FA waters.

Dump him on some horrible team for a 5th or a bag of pucks. This guy shouldn’t be around the team. If this was a mental health or substance abuse problem, I doubt they would’ve suspended him, which would undoubtedly magnify the problems.

For once, I don’t want any trade. Why would we want to disrupt this team’s chemistry right now? Not needed. Let them develop.

Check this out. Just checked this a minute ago. Scroll down to “Transactions”. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=310545

Maybe what seems obvious to us really isn't the case. I believe that the Sabres agree he is their future, but maybe JBott isn't ready to fire up the Brinks trucks the way GMTM would've done already. He's patient and calculating. Maybe they are offering him $8.9m and Eichel wants $9.9m. None of us know the numbers being offered.

That is an interesting note, especially with him fussing about players doing their own thing and not following the system. Plus, our defenseman this coming year will be attacking. I'm not sure, but is that really a thing goalies want? I suppose an opposing team can't score a goal when the puck's in their zone.

Totally. I bet the poor guy had at least 5-6 strangers come up to him asking for help with his bags.

But not as pampered as Vesey.

I'm open to any player named Butcher. Who knows if he'll work out, but it can't hurt to try.

Technically, yes, I suppose. Or, you can say the goal never would've been scored without the redirect. Anyways, can AHL players partake in the olympics? If so, could we see some young, bubble (i.e. nonessential) players intentionally being sent down to play in them?

This contract is ridiculous. I guess we now know what the hold up has been about with Jack. My guess is he'll be getting 10/8.