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Time for Dan to keep his appointment with "The Wicker Man".

This season is about to get even uglier with the schedule coming up. Blue Jackets back to back then a nice West Coast trip. We will be lucky if this club is .500 this season. Doubtful we will reach last seasons overall point total as well. Even WGR conceded that a coaching change may be in the offing come the off season. Look at what Julien has done in Montreal? A little adjustment period and the Habs are off to the races. Next season is definitely on Tim Murray. Another slow start after summer inactivity and you have to consider someone new.

Hell yeah. Gimme Gerard Gallant! At least he'll light some fire under some of these guys or sit . No more defending DD by anyone. How many times have we seen what transpired today? Up by 2 or 3 and then sit back and let them come to you. Sorry, it has not worked all season. Time to let him go. Seriously, this club could be in a wild card spot if it wasn't for the horrific shootout numbers ( are they even practicing this both forwards and goaltenders? It sure as hell looks like they aren't) and the dreaded sit back and try to defend once up by 2 or even 3 goals. I seriously have never been more disgusted by this club.

Exactly sir and this is why it stings even more. They'd be tied with the Leafs (whom I loathe) I will be watching Leafs/Kings in a little while. Plus perhaps a couple (just a couple of shootout wins and Toronto would be chasing us. Damn to be so close and yet so far away!!!!!

Thank you! Once again, my thoughts exactly. Montreal got better by not giving away too much at all. They addressed a shortcoming in their lineup (size and a little grit) and went after it. I am not sure we even tried. Hell, all I truly want to see first and foremost is a new head coach! (and Montreal did that too) I think we have offence that will produce under a different system. Say what you want about Bergevin, at least you can't say he didn't try, same in Toronto with Lamoriello & Shanahan, they got some small pieces to make a good run for a playoff spot. We sat idle. Both those clubs gave up very little in return. maybe next season DDB and GMTM can tell me to go #### myself as this team comes roaring out of the gate but I am seriously betting on more of the same. Year 4 of the rebuild and perhaps year 9 of no playoffs. Sad as hell.

Bingo! You nailed it! That is why my patience is wearing also. Just look up the highway to Toronto. Look at the Habs. Still a playoff team with Therrien but were in a downward spiral so Bergevin had the cajones to pull the trigger and get Julien back. After a little adjustment period the Habs are back on their game and then went out and got bigger up front at the deadline. not notable names but they addressed their weaknesses. All the while the Sabres just sit back counting on next season to be different. To be THE SEASON that it all comes together like the master plan. I am betting it will be exactly the same show with this coach and GM. Call me out if I am wrong. (and believe me, I've never wanted to be more wrong about this then now)

And by not sitting on 2 goal leads when your attack got you to that point. You keep pressing to put the dagger in, especially knowing your D is not that strong.

Right on Potato! You watch those teams play and it is night and day. Those thoughts run through my head as well. Even if we squeaked into a playoff spot, our ass would be handed to us in round one. Thanks for coming out! We need plenty more then what we have.

Nitro, I will absolutely settle for a new coach. By fire sale I mean the dead weight. I do believe we have 6 players we should keep. That is about all though and I may be stretching it. I do not want a Ron Rolston experiment either. Get a good damn coach. We missed out on Julien. Montreal is starting to get used to Claudes ways once again after a little adjustment period.I will accept a new coach but something seriously needs to happen. As for patience, how many years out of the playoffs has it been? Close to a decade? I think I have shown more then enough patience.

Exactly Jacque! I can still remember getting excited over Sabre hockey. They are losing a new generation of kids with this garbage that has been going on closing in on a decade now. I know Terry has the money but players also want to know they are in an environment that wants to win, that will not settle. I am not seeing it here. No desperation anymore, trot out more crap and lets see where it goes. That to me is why it may be difficult enticing new players to come. How are things in Rochester? How are the Amerks doing cultivating our youth prospects? That will tell you how our "farm is" because it may be the only way we can get players. Via draft and then hoping they are coached well at that level. This season has been a tremendous disappointment. Even more so when you watch the team down the highway play. I feel they are already miles ahead of us. The games we do win, Lehner has to stand on his head. Poor Okposo, he took the chance and is having a decent year. I wonder what's going through his head as the Isles have nicely rebounded.

Hey I am ready for the trade deadline tomorrow. I hope it is Sabre scorched earth mother######! We aren't winning with this roster so start the fire sale. First off: GMTM- will you please relieve this head coach of his duties? Wholly #### I am not sure what Tim is expecting to see different next season. With this group, even healthy for an entire season, we are going no where. Make some deals and get a new head coach for the love of God! Terry Pegula, I am glad you have done so much for the community yadda yadda yadda. It is anything but hockey heaven since you have been the owner. I am hoping you get more personally involved and get a damn coach. I also believe it is going to be difficult enticing free agents etc. to come here in the current state of this franchise so it may not be as easy as I would hope. Move some bodies please and start with a clean slate next season.......AGAIN! How many playoff less years has it been for the Sabres now? The Bills? WTF Terry?

Wholly Wildcard, thanks for those articles. Now we know. It nails what we're seeing to a tee. No doubt in my mind whatsoever now. DD must go.

Exactly, keep our forward units (yes Kane- he seems healthy now) They are starting to mesh a little more. Keep our goaltenders (I like both and they have played better then we expected I'm guessing- despite the disappointing shoot out results) We need some help on D and that won't be easy to get without giving something valuable in return. Get rid of the head coach. We need a coach who has a more "dynamic vision" for this club. Who coaches quick breakouts utilizing the defense and more offensive zone pressure. No backing off when establishing a decent lead either. I think we have the forwards to achieve this, just not the right coach.

Well said. I feel exactly the same way. we'll see how they play today against crappy Vancouver. This team needs to string a few together to get back in the hunt and I feel another let down coming on. They are who they are under the current coach. It is frustrating because I think this group isn't that far off from being a contender. The fact we get glimpses of it adds to the frustration. Lehner is a goalie I am comfortable with. I hope our coaches continue to work with him on rebound control but he has been very solid for us in spite of the shootouts. In fact has kept us in games we should have been blown out in even though we lose. He makes us look better then we are at times. That being said this team did not play an entire 60 minute game once again and the Leafs kept coming for the final 2 periods but some lucky bounces our way and Lehner got us the 2 points. Play this way vs. Chicago, Montreal, Pittsburgh and we're eating our lunch. We need to exert way more pressure in the offensive zone. Also stop with the hanging back once we build a lead, that will never win us a Cup because we aren't good enough at it.

That's because Pittsburgh didn't wait to can DDB's ass before the rebellion started! Not sure what we're waiting for? Expect Toronto to feed it to us on Saturday night as well. This club is pathetic. There will be no miracle turn around under this coach next season with a completely healthy roster. What we're seeing is what we get.

If you ever get that chance to meet the man (Comic Con, Fan Expo etc) He is well worth the money. Terrific to his fans and gracious. No pompous prima donna. He had the biggest lineups full of much younger people then me,which just goes to show you how he connects with a new generation of fans. It was amazing! All I want is Julien and preferably right the #### now, for exactly the reason you've mentioned above. We are still close and cannot afford to lose any ground. I think he can push us through. I want to see how Lehner plays in the playoffs where shootouts don't exist. I would love to hear First Niagara Centre rock with noise and anticipation again!

Exactly, you can see Jack's frustration this season. Losing his #### in the dressing room. yapping about the home fans booing in post game interviews. He gives a crap and management had better do something to keep our youngsters happy. DD is not it. They're being wasted. if we keep DD, they will go the first chance they get when they are able, and we can sit back and watch them produce for another club and get on these blogs and bitch about it some more and ream about what could have been in Buffalo.

Totally agree. Plus let us not forget this team was heading into the 3rd down 4-1. Sure they pressed because they had nothing to lose. Lets see how Buffalo does in their next 2 games, especially Saturday night in Toronto. Then we'll see whose rookies have their #### together. Toronto is very fast, let us see if we can match it. Dan should go ASAP. The Sabres will not be fine, they have not been fine for almost a decade now, a decade!. I'm sure the Bills will be fine as well. That lack of hunger leads to acceptance of mediocrity. This team is capable I believe but lets see which squad shows up vs. Anaheim, then Toronto. Under DD I expect no difference in standings nor play next year if he is coach.

Randall, why can't it be us for once? Why aren't we going for a coach of his caliber? Again, I am not sure what GMTM sees in Dan that we aren't seeing. I agree with a previous post that playoff money would lessen the beat down of cutting DD early. Do you alienate and frustrate Jack even more? He's got talent but I do think it is being stifled by this system that we play. I believe if we don't step up soon someone will beat us to the punch once again (see Babcock) Hell GMTM was willing to waste a draft pick aggressively pursuing the right to speak with Jimmy Vesey. Be aggressive and hungry for once. I know it's been a long time since we've seen that in these parts. To me, this season as it stands now, is toast. Nothing to lose as far as I'm concerned.

This hiring of Julien would be an awesome new press conference! It shows that maybe Tpegs and GMTM give a crap. If they keep DD, I'm not sure what the hell they're expecting to see from this club for next season and the season therafter. We are not out of it completely yet. In my opinion you make the move ASAP (as long as CJ would even come here- also not a given as someone will go after him to be sure)

Those Boston friends of yours are totally accurate in their assessment as well. They also shouldn't have let Lucic go. I hate like hell seeing Jack wasted in this town. He is obviously frustrated and should this organization keep it up, he will be gone the first chance he gets and I couldn't blame him one bit.

Why did we want Dan Bylsma again? Oh yeah, he won a Stanley Cup with a loaded roster! Yes, I want Claude Julien. ASAP! His time ran out in Boston. Every coaches time runs out eventually so let us get a coach with at least some fire. I do believe this club would fare much better under Julien then Bylsma. Totally agree. Well said. Bang on assessment. Julien is there. Time to act GMTM. There is no way TPegs and TM can be happy with the performance of this club so far. No progress whatsoever.

At the top of GMTM's list: Fire the current coach. Enough is enough. I don't care who they get or deal (player wise) None of it will matter under this coach. Tiring.

Our most pressing need is a coach. (and a D-man) but I'll settle for a new coach. One preferably with some emotion and cajones. I've seen enough and Jack is getting stagnant under this one.We have enough good players to be much better then where we are and averaging 2 goals per game.

Well, I take some of it back, even though we scored our complimentary 1 goal again tonight The Leafs are getting rocked again in St. Louis, so that would be "back to back" smoke outs for the blue and white. Babcock may lose his after this one. Caught the Blues right after the dreaded coaching change. Again there is a whole third period left in that game but it is 4-1 Blues right now. Maybe a Leafs slump coming? (I can only wish!)