Georgia Blizzard

I think you could sense frustration in Reinhart's comments --- I've spoken with several non-Sabre hockey fans and none can recall a similar benching, and so far, no one on this forum can point to any I don't think this situation sat well with Reinhart, I think he believes it was petty and it brought to the surface more emotions around his misuse on the team You got the same sense with his comments when DD finally put him back on Eichel's line earlier this year --- I think whether you agree with this specific situation, it's hard not to agree that his career, so far, in Buffalo has been mismanaged

The problem with black & white rules is they work in theory, rarely in practice DD should have made him healthy scratch for Sunday, plain and simple --- told the team, under normal circumstances, Sam would be suspended tonight, but, with KO out, he'll be scratched on Sunday --- easy application of the rule, all parties understand situation being unique and life goes on Instead, we get a black & white application of a rule that shames Reinhart and makes this organization look second rate -- I don't get it Disappointing, but not the end of the world

I wasn't implying you said repeated violations, I was only pointing out that if their were repeated violations by Sam, it might justify a more severe punishment -- i.e. if he is perpetually late by 5 minutes for every meeting and every practice, it would be easier to understand a more severe punishment Otherwise, on it's own, being 5-minutes late doesn't rise to the level of the punishment that was assessed

Life isn't black and white, when you try to make it that way you'll make an ass out of yourself sooner than later.

He was LATE to meeting, didn't miss it (at least as reported). If you had to dress him and have him on bench per CBA, like I said, I'd have deferred punishment until Sunday (it's not like he's a dog your training that needs to have punishment at time of infraction) --- worst case, you dress him and sit him for a few shifts or for 1/2 a period Again, LATE for meeting doesn't rise to level of punishment If the infraction was worse than that, why didn't Gionta infer as much ? -- if this was a repeated offense, why didn't DD or Gio say, repeated violations ? Like I said earlier, can anyone point to another situation like this in the league over the past 10 years ? Gio says it happens, I can't recall any

So, in your opinion is there a difference between dressing and sitting on bench vs. in a suit in the press box in terms of degree of punishment ? If you think there isn't, any further discussion is pointless If you think there is, which I do, then DD was as much in the wrong as Reinhart I never said not to punish him, I've only said, based on what we know (a reported lateness to meeting, and Gio saying it was "something small"), said punishment is too severe. You seem to be comfortable taking the position that there must be more to it --- why not the position based on what you know and react

That's not my point. My point is simple, once it was clear that Reinhart had to dress, DD should have pivoted to a different punishment, instead of a full game dressed on the bench he could have: 1- one period on bench (he could say, guys, normally Sam would get a full game, but, since he has to dress it's going to be one period, because, as we all know, that's going to very public and very shaming) 2- scratch on Sunday vs. NYI 3- some other behind the scenes punishment DD chose to literally humiliate a 20-year, 2nd overall pick, who is suppose to be a cornerstone for this franchise. The guy has no subtly, no deftness, no nothing Said another way, dressing and benching is MUCH WORSE than sitting in press box and being scratched. The punishment didn't fit the crime. And, if the crime is that much worse than being late to a meeting, why is Gio out there saying is was something minor ????

In the end, the optics matter. They matter A LOT. If everything you say is true, i.e. there is more to this then we know, then it's incumbent on DD to tell more of the story. His failure to do that creates the very narrative that this punishment was excessive. In this case, like most, perception equals reality. If DD really wanted to punish Sam to show the team, he could have just as easily handled it in private in the sanctity of the locker room with only the players. DD chose a public shaming, he chose it for a reason, and in the end, that choice is what's most troubling to me !!

Gionta, "by no means was it something huge" Punishment should fit crime. I'd ask entire board to identify the last time they know of any player sitting dressed and on bench entire game for disciplinary reasons ?? I'd then ask, to list all the infractions other players on this team and other teams have committed that were as bad or worse than being late to a team meeting. Again, you are dealing with a 20-year old. Sit him for a period, then let him play and prove to his teammates and coaches that he learned his lesson I hate this coach

Given the Okposo and CBA situation, the punishment should have been to sit for 1st period. The public shaming of that would more than send message. The media SUCKS, just listened to the DD interview, for all their access, why aren't they pressing DD on the punishment ?? -- why aren't they asking for specifics, what did he do ? is it clear to players that they'll sit ? is the punishment consistent with all players ? why did Eichel only get PP punishment ? was this as bad as Kane missing practice ? Push this nitwit and expose him for what he was a second rate player and what he currently is a third rate coach He shouldn't want to be here. Natural center. Natural playmaker. Forced to wing, then to off wing. Front of net on PP. They've misused him and it shows.

Punishment should fit the crime. If it was truly being late to meeting, dressing and sitting ONE PERIOD would be substantial --- but entire game ??? --- it looked like a 9 year old told to sit in the corner, while the rest of the class had a pizza party --- again, punish, but, this is the most severe punishment I've seen over the past several years DD had to know that dressing and sitting would be viewed as more severe than a scratch and Sam in press box, or is he that tone deaf ??? EDIT: So, Harrington tweeted that DD had no choice but to dress Reinhart due to Okposo illness, CBA and no backups in town. OK. I get that, BUT, and this is huge BUT. DD must still have the presence of mind to know that a dressed player sitting on bench and not playing is worse than in a suit and in press box. As such, he should have said, look, normally you'd be a scratch and in press box, but given our very unique situation you need to dress and sit on bench. Since that is MORE humiliating, you only have to sit for a period.

DD needs to explain why he was dressed and on bench and not in press box --- public shaming seems severe -- or -- someone needs to leak that it was significantly more egregious than being late to meeting Without more explanation this is crap He could have sat him for a couple shifts

Couldn't resist https://youtu.be/mXkSCqvL0ko

Gionta said it "wasn't a big mistake" --- seems to contradict what Vogl said "increased"

This kid (he's only 20) has been jerked around the past 2 years by this nitwit coach Plays him out of position, takes a natural playmaker and sticks him in front of the net, move him to wing, then to C, then to his off wing This is total ######. He's suppose to be one of the cornerstones of this rebuild Punish him. Yes. Sit a few shifts or scratch him from game, but why make him sit an entire ###### game dressed and on the bench I've never seen that before, has anyone ??

Late for a team meeting So, humiliate him ??

The issue isn't that he was disciplined, it was HOW he disciplined him. He showed him up. He made him sit dressed on bench and watch, give me a break, does DD think he's dealing with 9 year olds ??

Ugh He'll be in Rochester next year

Sentimentality says YES. Rational thought says NO. Go with rational thought, he doesn't crack the lineup on skill and team needs to find newer, younger captain (ROR or Eichel)

Is it me or does Bogo seem to play better when he plays more minutes ?

F&Ck Buck(y) I'm eternally grateful to Pegulas They have only a few things to do: 1- Find the RIGHT person to run the on-the-field operations for each franchise; whether that's a fully empowered GM or a VP of Football/Hockey Operations, I don't care. I think GMTM still might be the right guy, I know Whaley is NOT. 2- Empower them 3-write the checks 4-Enjoy watching the games

The Manning hit is 2X worse, if he got two, Risto should have gotten 1. This would be a major deal if Sabres were in playoff race, I think fact that we aren't is part of reason it was excessive -- easy to make an example out of someone

decision In end, with no playoffs it doesn't matter

I found the quotevery interesting and agree, the Halak trade was the logical situation GMTM was referring to. Not sure if it was taking Klesla or finding a way to get the Caps Halak via St Louis, either way, there is a favor owed and acknowledgment to that end. I think the expansion draft and the behind the scenes negotiating will be fascinating. Do all the GM's see the unprotected lists, I know they are not made public, but, I assume all GM's will have access to those.

Paul Hamilton. Too vanilla and milk toast for my taste. I know there are many worthy candidates, but, I'll take a flame thrower over someone that rarely says anything I don't already know and when he expresses an opinion, I usually don't agree with it. For all his access, I expect more.