eman

I agree GMKA has some really good pieces in Rochester and I do believe in UPL. I am still weary of Coach Granato though. Likeable guy, says the right things but unfortunately, that doesn't work for me anymore. I want to see results. I don't care if the coach is a Belichick, arrogant, no time for anyone type, as long as he gets results. I think Donny deserved a shot at the top position and I am truly hoping that as the kids trickle into the Sabres lineup, things start to improve under his coaching staff. I knew this season wouldn't be a playoff season but I am sad to say I don't even see any improvement on the ice or style of play anymore. It just seems like "same old, same old" and I am glad people are voting with their wallets. Long overdue.

But what bothers me more is that everyone was talking up what an improvement the Sabres have shown in their play under Coach Granato. That was true up to a point. What I see now is almost a carbon copy of the Housely & Krueger era's. Starting to show a bit of lax effort, still a weak defense and a soft one. It is the coaching staff's responsibility to teach them to take the body at the very least. Don't have to be over physical but stay on your guy and use your body to at least try an push them out of position or off the puck. Under Granato, I still see the D leaving guys completely unmarked and no one is getting in anyone's way defensively. 2-0 last night was a case of Anaheim out for a skate on the second leg of a back to back and exerting just enough effort for the 2 points. In other words, a textbook road game.

People are on the Don Granato as saviour band wagon and I am not seeing it anymore. The defense is exactly the same as it has been under coaches Housely, and Krueger (weak and soft) That can be taught and there is no improvement whatsoever. That is why you have a coaching staff and yes, it's on Donny Meatballs.

I'm not saying it is. In fact forget that, yes, I'm saying the continued piss poor defensive play is on Granato and his staff! I thought it was originally on Steve Smith. But he's long gone and the defense is just as pathetic as it ever was and that is on Granato and staff. It is horrid and you can at least teach or continually practice the basics. 2-0 flattered the Sabres last night catching a Ducks team that was ripe for the picking on the second end of a back to back. They will get mauled in their next 2 games unless the Sabres goaltender is brilliant to keep things close. I have never seen such a weak and soft D for over 3 seasons now! (under 3 different coaches) No improvements there. None. I want to see Granato's record at seasons end. It will be similar to Kruegers. This team has regressed yet again from the one that started this season.

The team is a complete mess once again. At season's end, I would like to see Donny Meatballs record vs. Ralph's final season. This team has regressed yet again from the one that started the season. I no longer see Donny's "coaching style" as being superior. Defense still butter soft, still no grit or pushback whatsoever, and the passing is a mess once again. What happened to this team from the one that started the season?

So why do we continue to sing Coach Don Granato's praises? Same old same old as Krueger.

I'm glad the fanbase is voting with their wallets. It is about damn time. Remember this is year 11 of no playoffs in sight by Christmas time. As one poster on this site reminded me, the only worse run organization may be the Detroit Lions. Hopefully, in another 2 or 3 seasons, the young guys in Rochester are NHL ready and will make this franchise competitive once again, but count on another 2- 3 seasons away. Forget any awesome free agent signings, nobody noteworthy wants to play here for any amount. 2- 3 more seasons of waiting, and to be honest, to me, the jury is still out on Don Granato. Not liking that his staff cannot even coach basic defense and a complete reluctance to take the body. 3 seasons of it under 3 different coaches.

Surprised????

and also, for those watching tonight, watch Anaheim's D. Do they body check? Move the man in front of their goaltender? (assuming the Sabres actually put someone there) Do they clear out the front of their net so their goaltender can see the shot? The Defense 101 stuff that the Sabres still are not doing 3 seasons +! You can have a top notch goaltender all you want, but if there is a guy in the slot unmarked, odds are it's going in the back of your net.

Well, like they say: If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'! Unfortunately, I have to completely agree with you.

Don't get me wrong Inkman, I am NOT A FAN OF BELICHICK OR THE PATS! I loved what Brady did to them last season. But damn if Billy doesn't know how to tweak the lineup, work his mojo, find no name guys and make them productive high functioning NFL players. It actually pisses me off, but in the next breath, I admire the guy somehow for being able to continuously do this. I have no idea what his secret is.

Anaheim is for real. I don't expect a Sabres win tonight with that style of defense they are playing (non-existant) Won't matter who is in goal as they will be hung out to dry yet again. Have to hope Anaheim's goalie has a really "off night". Sorry to say it, but things are getting really miserable being a Buffalo sports fan.

I wish I was Belichick. $$$$$$$!!!!!!! I don't know his secret, he just seems to get his teams to perform. I expected the Pats to be total horse#### this season and they have rebuilt it yet again. Can't stand Bill personally but his arrogance is earned.

Why? I can't stand Bill but I give credit where it is due. The guy works magic and if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'!

Hate to say it, but Belichick is the man!!! I am not a Pats fan at all but I have to say, what a turnaround for a team that lost it's star QB, gets rid of his replacement who was underperforming, brings in another QB (who????) and goes right back to first place. The Bills D cannot stop the run. It has been a big problem this season when they face a powerful RB and I hate to say it, but maybe the Bills believed they hype and press releases. This team isn't going anywhere this season and they will have to address their line issues. They have a good QB in Josh and a great receiving core but if you take that away from them or get the Bills behind the 8 ball, they are toast. Very disappointing.

and the collapse is now complete. No looking back for the Panthers. Carolina will be another loss.

Absolute truth! Never taking the body, stick checking and letting the opposition dine out in front of the Sabres net. This hasn't changed for the past 3 seasons now.

I'm sensing collapse and another loss.

Tonight? The entire Sabres defence corps has been abysmal for several seasons now. You would need "Tokarski in Pittsburgh" performances almost every night to get some points for this club. They still don't take the body, stick check and are as soft as butter. Still! Doesn't seem to matter who the head coach is.

Because the defence still absolutely sucks. Yes, the goaltending isn't helping right now but, the D has been hot garbage for several seasons, stick checking, not clearing bodies and soft as butter. Even with great goaltending, it would have to be great each and every night when you play defence like that. Absolute shite defence. Back to being very Krueger-like coach Granato!!!!!

Getting owned early. Worse than I imagined it would be and Krueger-like.

The bloom is off this rose. The next 5 games don't bode well either. Maybe a win vs. Montreal. Maybe.

still lacks defensively. Still.

an old habit that is starting to resurface on this west coast trip.

That is truth also! I do feel bad for Risto as he has the skills, size and strength. Too bad he didn't come into the fold now under coach Donny, as he may have done much better. You can see the change in Dahlin which is great. I hope Ristolainen works out in Philly but I see the need to rid the core that was here during this awful stretch.