eman

I'm starting to believe that may not be a far fetched idea. One of the "common denominators' of continued futility. Even if his numbers improve, what we see on some nights is not "Captain material".

Thanks Zamboni and God Bless! I've been preaching this for too long. I was happy when they signed Phil as head coach but by the end of his first season, I hated what I saw. I just see an exact continuation of that first season now, even with a slightly improved roster. I don't care about the optics of hiring yet another head coach, I cannot see this team making the playoffs under this coaching staff in the near future. Jbots needs to get busy and hopefully gets a coach with some back bone that won't tolerate mediocre effort and mental mistakes. If he finds one, and we see the same results with no improvement, than this board can call me out on it and I will accept I was wrong on this, but until then I completely agree with you!

I wouldn't say Nolan was given the chance on his second tour here. He was place holding during tank time. (and I think he knew it and needed the cash) They got rid of both goalies under Teddy (Enroth and Neuvirth- especially after they started to play well and got the Sabres some points that management didn't want, as Buffalo started to move up in the standings- they had to stop that ASAP!) We'll see where DB lands eventually- if anywhere in the NHL- perhaps as an assistant, I am doubtful as a head coach. Cup win or not.

Like it did for Edmonton? I agree, that tactic still guarantees us nothing.

I totally believe there is more talent on this roster than gets the credit. I like our goaltenders but as you saw against the Leafs, our defensive system (Steve Smith/Phil???) is crappola. If you aren't willing to take the body and just stick check, you'll lose the majority of your games. I do think a great deal of this falls on the current coaching staff. Leafs ran out of gas in the 3rd as to be expected crossing a time zone and playing the night before and the Sabres actually picked up some physicality (the Leafs weakness) so yes, the Sabres looked a little better then. Didn't matter by then. Another 'L".

Looks like the Sabres were just the tonic needed to right the ship!

On the TSN broadcast they mentioned that Babcock made that a point to address with the Leafs: to "start the game on time" after their past few outings. It seemed to work for them.

Especially against a club that played the night before in a different time zone. That was embarrassing. Seriously, this could have been a brutal drubbing if not for Hutton.

He even knew this was an issue after last season. I know I saw him interviewed at the start of this season where he addressed this and said this would be a point of focus. I guess Phil has just "lost his focus".

and this is exactly what Boston (and Washington) does to the Leafs with great success. Get physical with them and they can be beaten.

What bothered me more was again, how the Sabres came out to start the game. They've been off since Sunday and got completely owned through 2 periods. You knew their 1 goal lead was just not going to hold up despite brilliance by Hutton. Sure the Leaf goals were cheap, but you get those when you continually work your ass off and it happened. This is an area of the Sabres game that existed last season and if my memory serves me correct, Phil mentioned this at the beginning of this season that starting the game properly is a focus for this year. Some games they do start well, so I guess he tries to address it but it creeps in again and again.

Wow, the Sabres haven't beaten the Leafs in 5 straight. The first time since 70-71. My heart hurts.

Carter Hutton seriously deserved better tonight. I like him.

You know how this is going to end by now. They will pull the goalie and......well you know the rest of it.

Frankly, I think it's just that the Leafs are bagged now. Last nights game in another time zone combined with their first 2 dominant periods has caught up with them now.

The leafs are dead tired now (as they should be after 2 periods of total domination) The chance is there for the Sabres.

Here's hoping! And it will bring me joy this hockey season.

Oh yes, I do remember those that posted that crap last game. I honestly like our goaltenders and the Finnish kid may be a real gem. If we could just do better defensively and even try to help them out it would go a long way.

Totally agree. No Phil defenders posting tonight? Nice to see the "other Nylander" pot one though. I wish the Sabres could push a bit on Sparks because he can crack, but Huts has kept us in this.

and yet the PH defenders came out after that one win. I just don't get that at all. He can go right at season's end. Tonight is a shining example of seeing the lack of effort that creeps into Sabres games. Owned by a team that played in a different time zone the night before and the only reason they are not getting completely smoked is that Carter Hutton has stood on his head. And for those who even felt our defense wasn't all that bad, tonight lets you see exactly where our defense stands: garbage! Take the body!!!!!

God Bless you JJ! Nailed it! (in my opinion anyhow)

Even when this club was on its 10 gamer. People were on this site, and while rejoicing, also saw that we were getting outshot in those games by quite a bit and were a little concerned over the style of play the Sabres during that streak. They were right. It was fun but we got a little puck luck and the goaltenders were standing on their head back then. How many were won in regulation during that 10 gamer? Then came December and we're back to square one. Our winning percentage from that month on is what? 30th in the league. Sorry, I see minimal progress.

I'm saying the style of hockey especially in those games where they look completely lost and no effort forthcoming. Have we not seen a bunch of those again this season? It happened last season and it started to rear its head again this season. Also, in the end , wins and losses are what ultimately counts and over the past 8 years (and granted, several coaches) the Sabres are woefully short in the wins column.

Yup, Babcock in the hot seat and I believe Phil is in the hot seat also. If we get the same play of this club by December of next season, I believe Phil will not survive it. I could be wrong about it, but I think the fan base will be screaming for change at that point (if they/we aren't already?)

Again my point is Babcock has pressure on him this season to get the Leafs into the second round at least according to Toronto insiders. If he doesn't, he will be in the hot seat because of the talent assembled and the salaries paid out there. His regular season record is terrific. But why is Phil given such slack with his pathetic regular season record and no playoffs that he shouldn't be in the hot seat? I hope I clarified that point as well. No we don't need a coach to be better than Babcock although I would settle for coach as good as Babcock right now. 8 seasons of no playoffs going on 9.