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I seriously believe there is decent talent on this club. I think it really is the coaching that's killing us. This club is improved but whatever Phil is doing isn't getting through most of the time and he just doesn't seem to be a motivator. I hate to see Jack, Risto, Rino, Dahlin and Skinner wasted especially when I think this season is still salvageable at this point. 3-4 or 2-5 on this home stand will put an end to the season's playoff hopes.

I did. and now I want Quenneville. No way Joel coaches this team worse than Phil.

Nice start to the home stand! By the end of it you can call it a season for 2018-19. The Hawks smell blood by the way. Sabres are done for tonight.

Because Phil Housley is the coach. Again, Joel Quenneville anyone? Anyone????

Exactly, I find the thinking here is "we'll get better and none of the other clubs will"- not going to happen. They'll be pushing just as hard as this organization so you may as well go for the gusto as soon as you can. Look at Montreal. That lineup is playing great under a very good coach. No Galchenyuk, no Pacioretty. Domi, Weber and Price. Domi and Weber aren't all that either but the club is coming together under the coaching of Julien. Lets not forget Sabre castoff Paul Byron. Look at the Isles under Trotz. Robin Lehner looks like a pretty good NHL goaltender once again and they lost their "franchise player". Sure they have Barzal , but seriously, aside from him? Coaching means more than we know and good coaches get decent results. I still believe there is more talent on this club then is getting credit.

No what I'm saying is, the Sabres are improved over last season (most likely marginally, not hugely) Edmonton stinks and when you see a club like Arizona beat them, you know that they do. Hitch however, is smart enough to see what needs to be adjusted and did just that in the first intermission and the Sabres got owned by a not so great club for the rest of that game. did Phil counter punch with some adjustments? NO! (again) I do believe the middle six would improve under a different coach but that remains to be seen as we are both just speculating. All I can say for certain, is that this club has gone back to its old ways once again under coach Phil. I don't think Buffalo was as motivated as Edmonton came out sluggish once again. Hey, Hitch made adjustments: Final score: Edmonton 7- Buffalo 2 (with Lucic and Kassian doing damage) Not sure what else you need to know.

We certainly did outplay them in the first period. Oilers were terrible but got a couple of deflected goals to give them an undeserved lead. Once the second period started, we got owned and that just snowballed. This is why I don't believe the roster is all that bad. I believe it really is the coaching and how you rebound and adjust. Not seeing Phil doing that.

and unfortunately, watch him go to another club who will be more successful than we are next season and we can all wonder when Chris Taylor gets his shot........................but, I could be wrong on this.

Early in the season. Opponents have made adjustments when the Sabres come to town. Phil needs to make adjustments now also. Hitch did during the first intermission of last night's game as the Oilers were terrible. The subsequent result speaks for itself.

and I do believe, that mentality went against what Pat LaFontaine wanted to do, which is why he left. he did not want to tank to rebuild this club.

Yes, it is the bad coaches. Rolston? Bylsma? Poor Nolan was here for a tank as they sold out the roster from beneath him. Enroth was keeping them in games and they got a few points: GONE! Neuvirth plays well and got them a few points: GONE! We passed on Julien- Montreal will make the playoffs, we aren't going to catch them, we passed on Gerard Gallant, I wouldn't be surprised if Vegas goes deep in the playoffs again this season and Babcock saw something he didn't like with this franchise and headed North. Yes, we have had crap coaching. I don't buy that this roster is this bad. Not for one second.

I beg to differ, all those points make perfect sense. You can stick with coach Phil, I do believe he will at least start with this club again next season. i expect he will be fired next season also (if he makes it through this one) Lets see how it plays out.

Plus, Edmonton sucked in the first period but their coach made adjustments to combat that during the intermission and it worked.

and seriously, does that make any sense? (as Scandella gets a huge pass on his play for most of this season)

Phil doesn't sit anyone, that's part of the problem.

In fact, I am doubting Pegula owns this franchise, I'm pretty sure it's Milan Lucic!!!!

Those boys, while lacking in the finer skills of the game, at least worked their ass off night in and night out for their coach! That was fun hockey to watch. ahhhhhh,.............good times!

Absolutely every coach on this league has a "best before date", every coach. What I like about Quenneville is that he's tough (no way you can convince me Phil is) You make a huge screw up, you sit, keep screwing up, you get press box time. Babcock does this- he did it with Gardiner the other night is the same. The refs screwed you, you at least chew their ass out and maybe take a fine. It means also having your players back. As for assembling an "all-star roster" and coasting as a coach to get results, what makes anyone think here that we can actually get a roster the calibre of the Hawks or Caps etc? I already think we have some decent talent assembled here (not Hawks quality but certainly way better than the results are showing) This is why I continuously harp on coach Phil. 2nd season now with a horrid power play! The defense looks lost in the last 20 games....again! I'll take coach Q hands down.

If Phil is still our coach, you can bet they'll surpass us.

If they contact coach Q and he says yes on the phone, you have a better coach than Phil. No argument. The Hawks are old now and beat up from prolonged seasons of either winning the Cup or contending for one. This is why they are struggling now. They need to rebuild.

The elderly knowledgeable one. Why can't we have one of those? Why can we no longer have nice things?

I still believe if JBots got Quenneville now, that last wild card spot is still attainable and the defense tightens up under him. With Phil, no way, no how. This team is better than what we are seeing in the past 20 games. I think it is entirely coaching.

1-800-Joel!!! Now please!!! Lucic and Kassian kicking Sabre ass. Tiring.

What I saw on that play (and it disturbs me a lot!) is that once the dman gave up the puck, both d just cruised back watching what McDavid was going to do on the breakaway. Hell, McDavid even bobbled the puck on his way in, looked back and realized he still had a ton of time. That's unacceptable! I don't think the d cruises with Quenneville as your head coach.

I would be phoning Quenneville ASAP!!! I think he could give our defense some structure at least. They are awful. (and have been for some time) Young Dahlin and Risto would benefit I am betting. Nothing Phil has shown me so far indicates that he should remain. There is more talent here than some are giving credit. I still believe it's coaching that is lacking.