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Well it's a big chance for Phil to start and right the ship. I just want to see stronger efforts from the roster. For some reason, they took a bunch of games off. You could see it. There was just no effort on many a night. I know they may have a talent shortfall but some of the efforts were embarrassing. If Phil gets rid of that next season than maybe he sticks around for a while.

! We missed out on Sergachev. I do hope Botterill is much much better at drafting. It will take at least a couple seasons but the on ice effort has got to be much better than this season. This team took way too many nights off for whatever reason.

remains to be seen. What pick was Alex Nylander? I'm not impressed with him at all. We got the wrong Nylander also.

Basically that's what I'm saying. Don't think because he signed for 8 years he would be staying for the entire duration. If things stay crappy here, he'll want out soon enough and it very well could happen. others seem to believe that just isn't the case. It's my main worry.

I know O'Reilly brings value but I do hate to lose him. Great face off man and it really is an important part of the possession game. (not that the Sabres were any good at that part this past season) but a good face off guy is hard to come by.

Signed means nothing when his agent approaches the GM and requests a trade. Maybe not in the next year or 2, but if we are still bottom feeders after that, expect to "hear things" and "read things" in the media indicating a Sabre player is making noise that he wants out. Other teams may just be willing to cough up for a player of Jack's calibre. Maybe the Sabres eat a part of the contract to move a disgruntled star. It's happened. Anyhow, I don;t want to see that happen. I want Jack here for some good times and some success. Right now, we are watching a star being wasted.

I hope you're right because that's the standard I am holding JBot to. I want to see at least a 20 point improvement at the very least (unless they go through a rash of injuries that decimates the club) Anything less and I don't think he's the guy either.

Totally agreed. I am still excited about Dahlin as I would really love to see how good this kid is and maybe he rejuvenates Risto who I certainly don't want to give up on yet (although his regression this season really worries me). Other than that, from November on I felt very little regarding this team as I knew it was more of the same by then. Tough past 7 years to be sure.

Agreed. and this upcoming season will test how good they are or aren't. Both clubs need to show improvement or I fear they may be the wrong choices again. I'm not expecting championships right away or even a playoff spot (for the Sabres) but there had better be a remarkable turnaround in effort on most nights for the Sabres and a definite improvement in overall points) The Bills need to make the playoffs and let the chips fall where they may after that.

Sadly, we have become those early 80's Leaf clubs that we used to make fun of. (and our point totals are close to those clubs too) What bothers me most is that we have a bonafide star in Jack Eichel and 3 years have gone by and not even a sniff of playoffs. His tolerance for this will get even less and eventually he'll want to be moved. You can guarantee it. Kind of like Tavares in Long Island. (you know he wants out of there!) I think with each passing season Jack's frustration gets worse.

True enough. It's like the rebuild that just won't stop! I really do hope the Hockey Gods finally grant us Dahlin so we can really move forward. It's exhausting being a Sabres fan right now.

Same here. I really used to look forward to going to games (and that was a long time ago) Now they're an embarrassment and more fans have to vote with their wallets. Not fearing that the team may move if we don't support them. If they continue this #### why would I want to spend hard earned money on them and why would I care if they did move? May as well give my cash to a charity.

True enough (and I am sort of expecting this to happen) Everyone here is basing the upside to the fact we actually get Dahlin. What if we don't? Who do we take then and how much more does this set back another rebuild?

Some would argue they became All Stars under coach Quenneville's coaching! He won Cups with Anti ######## Niemi as a starter and Corey Crawford (over rated in my opinion) I'll still take him over Phil or Dan or Ron. Quenneville sits in press boxes. Didn't see that with Phil (especially when it came to Kyle, ROR, Reinhart Kane etc. He sat some of our lesser players but not nearly enough, and there were many nights this season that this club went out on the ice and went through the motions. You don't tolerate that as a coach without repercussions and we saw it several times this year. What's strange about Reinhart is that he started to show something when Jack was out of the lineup, but regressed once Jack was back. Not sure why that is. Jack is Jack and is the sole true talent on this club and he's being wasted so far which is the real shame in all of this. I can't imagine how terrific Jack would be under a decent coach! So we're in agreement then that Phil isn't that guy?

the sad part being, we have yet to see an improvement on those Sabre clubs of which you speak. That is what is truly disheartening.

:w00t: :worthy: Absolutely, it is why those "successful" Sabre clubs got anywhere. He allowed them to over achieve. He was the best I have ever seen in a Sabres uniform or as a goaltender period.

I enjoyed the Ted Nolan coached team (the year he won Coach of the Year and Hasek won MVP) They were short on talent (Hasek aside) but they played hard and were entertaining. (and tough) The 1999 team was terrific as well as the other Drury/Briere clubs. The past 7 seasons I have hated this team and on some of the nights, the complete lack of effort they display is disturbing. Can't really see this team even contending for a playoff spot for another 2, most likely 3 years. They are really going to have to turn over this roster.

Exactly, and employ those that know how to do so!

and this club won't be improving under his tutelage. Anyone who thinks so better not hold their breath.

I would love if Joel entertained the idea of coaching this club "as a challenge" to see if he can turn around their fortunes. In fact I would be over the top happy if we could land Quenneville. His time has expired in Chicago (as it does with all coaches sooner or later)

Here's hoping! Let's face it, this team is still going to suck next year. Rasmus Dahlin will not be the answer so early on in his career (should we be so lucky to even get him- I'm betting we lose out on him) This club is a good 2 to 3 years (most likely) away from contending for a playoff spot and with another brutal start next season, Phil will be toast before Christmas. Wouldn't bother me in the least if they cut him loose right after the end of this season. I had high hopes for him when he came in but I have seen nothing of this club as the season progressed to show me he deserves more of a chance.

Quite frankly, with the current state of this team, I'd be more then happy if Jack just puck hogged all night. He seems like the only one who knows what to do with it. He was being a good guy to try to set up Nolan earlier on and it should have been a gimme for Jordan, but Jack could have roofed the puck as he was walking in on Andersen and I would have been more then satisfied with that!

He has fit in really well in San Jose. I think they will sign him at seasons end. The Sharks are rolling now! I also bet Evander is one happy guy right now!

and seriously, they really are a few years away. The Leafs looked tired after the halfway point of this one being the second game of their back to back nights. But you can see when they had their foot on the gas to start the game, the Sabres get exposed for their lack of speed. At least 2 seasons away before they get in sniffing distance of the playoffs.

Girgensons can go after this season. Tired of watching a bigger guy do nothing of value. Stands in front of the net but doesn't really screen the goaltender, kind of stands to the side. This team has a long long way to go before it sees any playoff action. Another 2 seasons minimum. No finishers other then Jack and lots of perimeter shots tonight. They had some decent possession time but nothing dangerous. And Marleau seals the deal! Nice scrap by Beaulieu though. That is all. I hear you. Line up needs a serious overhaul.......again.