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I don' t expect Lehner back but I do hope they get the defensive issues somewhat sorted out before exposing Ullmark to what Chad and Robin see. Linus looked good in his start but you don't want to ruin his confidence so early on. The D is a mess. Lehners save % was actually quite decent the previous 2 seasons. There has been a dropoff this year but the defense looks like it may have contributed to that.

I get the lack of scoring for sure. It has haunted us for seasons now ever since Drury and Briere left. I do not understand why the power play has crapped out? Are we entering the offensive zone the way we used to under Bylsma? Is Phil's entrance approach different? We have the same 5 guys that did produce on the PP under Bylsma looking completely lost under Phil. Why now? Risto can be productive from the point as can Scandella i believe but we don't see it under Phil's so called system. Doesn't it scare you in the least what has happened to Risto under Phil? At times he looks lost out there and he never used to. It is glaring this season the change in him. Our defense rarely takes the body and I believe the lack theerof hurts both out goaltenders (it certainly doesn't help them anyhow) As for putting Sabre bodies in front of the opposing goal, I am not seeing it with regularity as other teams do it. This could be based on our puck possession stats as well. If you don't have the puck in the opposing zone for long, it's hard to get a body in front of the net. Several of the games i have watched though we were not doing it enough when we could have (and should have) Reinhart goes there some of the time but doesn't seem strong enough to maintain good position. Botoom line is, I don't believe any of us thought this club could be this bad this season. Time will soon tell us if it is Phil, or the players or perhaps both. I'm guessing a bit of both.

I agree, he has coughed some up, but again, he has 9 of our victories (out of 11) and has kept us in several games that could have easily been blow outs. Not sure what happened with Chad, he was actually very good here the first time around and I was sorry to see him go. His second go around has been awful. That may have more to do with our D being basically non existent. Why is our D non existent? Scandella was supposed to be a decent defender. Risto has totally regressed under Phil for some reason. I don't see any of our defenders taking the body with any regularity. Is that not on the coach? Bogo was not a bad defenseman when he left Winnipeg. McCabe showed promise until this season. Beaulieu and Gorges have basically not been very good at all. I can't help to think coaching has played a role in the set back this season. This club should not be this bad. 55 projected points bad????

I don't. I absolutely believe they would be playing better under any of the above mentioned. Why the regression from Bylsma to Housley? I know they regressed a bit under DD's 2nd year (it got him canned as everyone had the expectations of being better) but the absolute cliff drop under Phil? scratch that, perhaps not under Tocchet!

Let me ask you this then. Everyone is throwing out these stats on ROR & Okposo scoring pretty much at his regular pace now. Many posters here claim Jack is playing some of his best hockey as a Sabre. No one wants Reinhart to go as he is showing signs of coming around (I'm not saying this, others are) If all this is true, then why is this club dead last or damn close to it in goals scored? Why is our PP 25th? in the league? Where is our offence if all this is to be believed? This club is getting owned on a fairly regular basis so I am really not seeing what others are. Offense is, and remains a major issue with this club. If it wasn't for Kane, it would be way worse. So again, if our main 5 guys (Eichel, O'Reilly,Kane, Okposo and Reinhart) are scoring at somewhat of their usual pace, why are we where we are again?

Not on the breakaway, he could dangle and I witnessed that myself several times in his short Sabres stay. Overall when you saw the talent he had, you wanted more from him I give you that. Most accurate response. I do not see the return others figure we will get for trading O'Reilly, Okposo (if he's done here) or any other Sabre outside of Kane. That goes for Reinhart as well. Other posts have shown that Rochester actually has a somewhat veteran AHL lineup and that the production down there hasn't really been from the youth corps. I haven't bothered to check any of this myself but I do believe we are in for several more years of this. As for hired mercenaries coming to Buffalo, I'll believe that when I see it also. Seriously, why would you want to come to this club?

I vote for Julien! (we passed on him once and he should be available after this season with a Habs housecleaning) The Habs went south when Subban was dealt. The Preds won that deal hands down and PK kept the locker room light and fun. He is greatly missed and Bergevin screwed himself and most likely sealed his and Juliens fate. There will be detractors on Julien I know but I am more then willing to give him the chance here. I don't think he could do any worse. Price isn't the same since his injury and now his best buddy got dealt. weber is not the Weber of old as his body is breaking down. This is a depressed group. Bring me the head of Claude Julien please! Hey, where is Michel Therrien while we're asking?

How do you figure their shot taking is similar to other teams? Other teams I watch have bodies screening the opposing goaltender (which at the NHL level you should have as any goaltender worth their salt should be able to stop most of what they are able to see) My point on Okposo exactly. He will score much more regularly with someone else, as will O'Reilly. It just won't happen here.

I miss Miro. He could score on the breakaway! (and Afinogenov!)

Well said! I agree that while Lehner has some glaring faults, if it wasn't for him, we'd have seen a ton of games like the Dallas one yesterday and then some posters would really acknowledge how brutal this club is under Phil. Lehner has kept us in games we had no business being in. I just hope this club makes serious progress before Ullmark gets here and has his confidence shattered. What has Phil done with the defensive scheme? Risto has totally regressed under Philly and that scares me.

Most sane post I have seen in a recent while. Totally agree. I hear from other posters Phil scratches people from the lineup if not performing. Who does he scratch? I haven't noticed it. Weak coach, weak club, Time will tell that tale.

Do you even watch the games? Here is the biggest glaring error: They put no one in front of the opposing goaltender. In the odd instance that Reinhart goes there, he is weak and on his ass. Their shot taking is from the perimeter which is why opposing goaltenders all look like Vezina trophy winners against us and why the backups look outstanding (and the opposition play their back ups against us a lot!) We are near the bottom or at the bottom in goals scored. Yes it is on Phil and I believe coaching makes a huge difference. Remember how these boards loved Ryan O' Reilly, Kyle Okposo? Now these guys all of a sudden can't score. I bet you they will score once they're moved as can Kane. Then the posts will state: Why didn't they do that in a Sabres uni? Why? Because Phil is crap. You don't have to believe me now, I do believe we'll know the truth within 2 more seasons (both non-playoff seasons by the way. 10 years and counting. Organizational disgrace.

Agreed, not all of what woes us is on Phil, but I do believe a great deal of it is and we are giving him a pass because it is his first year. I feel I have seen enough to think next season will not be any different then this one. The truth of the matter is, that despite the flack we give Robin Lehner ( some of it rightfully deserved) he has actually kept us in many games this season where we could have been blown out Today was not one of those but Lehner has made this club look more competitive then it truly is. Look at Ristolainen's regression under Phil. He looks barely AHL worthy at times this season and I do believe it is on Phil. Our power play now rates near the bottom if not the bottom and it used to be #1 with the same players: That's on Phil. The phoning it in efforts are on Phil as he continues to refuse to sit anybody or demote anybody. Your coach cannot always be your friend. What worries me the most is that under Phil, I hope Jack isn't ruined and especially not Casey if Phil is here when he is. The Risto thing scares the hell out of me. The Anaheim-Kings efforts do have to do with their coaching as well as the level of talent. It does go hand in hand.

While I admire your optimism, how long have we heard this song before? If this happens, if that happens, if we get this guy, if we get rid of that guy. You know Pegula, just show me. This organization has worn me out. We are getting perilously close to a decade of no playoffs. that is an embarrassment any way you want to slice it. You do realize how badly the Buffalo Bills are maligned for going 17 years? They are a laughing stock up until this past season, and to be honest, it was not that great of a season and serious help was required just to make it in this year. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs whom I completely loathe with every bone in my body never went a decade with no playoffs I believe. ( and we used to love ripping the Leafs and their fans) There is a whole lot that needs to be done here before this club even sniffs the playoffs and the jury is still out on JBot. I have already found Phil guilty of being a brutal head coach and we can start with his termination.

You won't have to. Just watch Sportschannel or open your local sports page or nhl.com. The story will unfold there. I' m not sure what others see in Housley at this point Again, feel free to call me out when Philly turns this mess around. Can he do it before the 10 year playoff drought happens? I' m betting he doesn't and that he won't be around a whole lot longer then maybe next season.

10 years out of the playoffs, especially if they keep Phil as head coach, count it!

I second that emotion! We are wasting valuable time with Phil at the helm. I too, am not willing to see what he can do with a different lineup. My patience with Phil left a long time ago. I believe this club will go an entire decade without making the playoffs and that is shameful and yes, the fan base deserves a hell of a lot better. Bylsma does look like "Coach of the Year" material compared to Philly.

Totally in agreement with your thoughts. I believe Phil is a horrible mistake now. I had high hopes for him but not anymore. I do believe regardless of the impending player turnover, we will not see a Sabres club finish over 0.500 to finish a season under Housley's guidance. Feel free to disagree with my thoughts but it is a strong feeling I have that Phil just isn't ready to be a head coach yet.

Your kidding me right? Look, even with Bylsma (who likes like a genius now) this group played much better. There are many nights so far that this team has quit (Jack looked like it huge this afternoon, did you watch?) That crap never sat with Babcock and players go to the press box (see Bozak, Conner Carrick) they go to the Marlies or they are released outright. No way he would have tolerated this crap. Gallant has a temper and he has molded a "rag tag" group of players (all who came from different coached systems} into a cohesive entertaining competitive unit. I'm not sure where wishful thinking comes in. Look at Risto's regression. He was a great D-man and looks like an AHLer now. Phil is garbage. Call me back when he starts winning. Everyone seems to like "Nice guy Phil" and wants to play for him. Funny, it sure as hell isn't translating on the ice. We may well be watching the worst Sabres club ever.

Babcock would have fixed it. In fact, with Babcock, it wouldn't have started. Perhaps with Gallant as well. Too late now.......

Phil can go. I cannot believe this group of NHL players cannot "play Phil's system" (whatever the hell it is) They all came up through the minor ranks with different coaches and styles and were drafted to the NHL. Not buying the garbage they are not the right type of players to play his system. I believe Phil's system sucks huge and whomever replaces Phil would still have a better record than what we currently see. Lehner has played well this season despite his shortcomings (OT & Shootouts) and has kept us from being blown out too many times to mention. Risto is talented but right now he would be hard pressed to make the Finnish Junior National team, and from what I saw this afternoon, Jack looks like he can't wait for April and the off season. Ryan O'Reilly (unless injured and we don't truly know about it) is another talented player who played terrifically for Canada, and was instrumental in their Gold Medal at the World Championships last year. Okposo does look slow (I still don't think he's the same anymore) and Kane has been our best this season. Reinhart disappoints me. Maybe it was all the hype surrounding his pick but I just see a wasted roster spot (maybe he will perform better under another coach with a different system? Anyhow our defense is butter soft, not sure why (Phil's "system"?) Still, this club should be way better then the garbage we're seeing. These guys are professionals, if they are not playing Phil's system, I find it hard to believe. I think the "system" needs to be called into question.

I beg to differ on Housley. I have a sneaking suspicion we are going no where with Phil. Time will tell. Having said that , I do hope that you are right though and I am wrong. Just a feeling on my part. I don't like what I see of this club under Phil. He doesn't sit players and seems to tolerate "phone it in" efforts. That cannot happen .Everyone feels good right now after a win in Colorado (who is improved but still not a playoff contender) Lets talk again after the St. Louis game.

They still might suck, just a whole lot less and definitely be more entertaining then what we're seeing right now. Wait until the St. Louis game! Have you seen the Blues speed and fore check. They made the Leafs look slow.

totally agree. I love Ted Nolan. The year he won Coach of the Year, that club was exciting to watch. Short on talent. 100 % effort. Ahhh, the good old days! And both those teams were better then the current roster and #### show!

Reality will settle in after the St. Louis game. The Blues fore check is relentless. Our only hope is of Jake Allen is complete garbage that night. This one could get ugly.