eman

Hire competant hockey people. That is my solution. If you read my other posts (from way back I agree) I was not high on Bylsma nor Tim Murray. Who is Tim Murray anyhow? People here embraced both and said that Babs was overrated. Really? Time has told the tale. Even without Matthews, The Leafs were better then us and play a much better style of hockey. This next hiring by Pegula is a crucial point in this organization. As for attendance. Tried selling your seats after January this year? You couldn't give them away. Keep alienating the fan base and see what you get. Hell Leaf fans turned out en masse for years of garbage hockey and we used to laugh at them. Remember? Thw Hawks did suck, every team goes through a turnover. The Habs missed the playoffs, the Bruins also and now the Kings. None of them tanked to get better. They had good scouts and GM's to rebuild and retool. Tanking has become a lazy tool and only exposes how incompetant your managerial group is if they cannot complete a decent turnaround.We missed hiring Julien & Gallant when we had the chance to land a decent coach. My blood will reach boiling point if the damn Vegas Golden Knights have a better record then we do next season. (under McPhee and Gallant.)

What actually troubles me the most is the way they played the last week of this past season. The Sabres, for lack of a better word, played like little and this is our young talent? Maybe it's on the coach, but they played like they just didn't care and certainly didn't play like they were concerned for earning a roster spot for next season. They should be a little concerned now with an entirely new GM & coach on their way. Hopefully one that won't stand for the garbage that was this past season. 17 points out of a playoff spot so you have to assume they will need to add that to the upcoming season just to qualify. If not more. So whomever our coach is, if they do qualify next season (and as of right now, I am very skeptical) that would almost qualify our coach as a "Coach of the year" candidate if we do get in. It's a tall order and the work is cut out for him. I believe Jack cared and that:s why he called out some of his teammatesat seasons end. He may have noticed the same thing. We do not want to lose the one thing that this tank did benefit us.

Did the Hawks tank? The Kings? The Habs? The Bruins? Perennial playoff clubs that can and have gone deep and even won Cups. They don't do the "tank mentality". Instead they hire competant hockey people to keep their franchises competitive and keep out the losing mentality. Not saying that is what plagues us but you can see why LaFontaine wanted no part of that. The Kings finally washed out this season but they will retool minus a tank. As of right now, we are wasting Jack and he is aware of it. Pegula needs to hire a seriously competant GM & coach this time around or you can colour Jack gone at the end of his contract, Could you blame him? The tank, aside from Jack and supposedly all this wonderful young talent that has yet to get us a playoff round by the way, has gotten us NOTHING! But I keep hearing how sweet it will be as we head into year #7 of no playoffs. A tank guarantees nothing and I still feel, it is ultimately the lazy way to restructure instead of hiring good competant individuals to run a hockey club. When it does change in Buffalo (and I do hope it does this season) let me hear about it. Until then, it is what it is and so far, a big failure. The difference with the Leafs? Their young talent may be just better then ours is. Just check your AHL standings so excuse me if I am not completely sold on our young talent at this stage. Nylander and some of their other young guns did their time in the AHL first. They won down there and went deep in the playoffs. Our guys? Not so much.

I think you absolutely nailed it! Hopefully TPegs gets the right combo this time out. 7 years out of a playoff spot means the tank was a fail. (especially 17 points out this past season) Many things will have to fall into place for this club to make it in this season. This time I am not getting my hopes up like I did for this past one.

And where are we now post tank? No where closer to anything. We have a great player in Eichel being wasted (and I believe he did indicate he didn't want to extend his contract if things keep on the same path, regardless of what the spin is now) 6 years going on 7 out of the playoffs and we finished 17 points out of a playoff spot this past season. It will take a miracle to get us in this upcoming season because we will need some free agent help (especially on D) and there is no guarantee that anyone of value will even want to come here. We will have to most certainly stay healthy and that is a tall order in the rough and tumble world of the NHL. Are our prospects any good? Did Rochester make the playoffs? Maybe we aren't deep at all like we may have thought. The move that had to be made was made yesterday and that is a great start. Time to bring in some new hockey people to right this ship but I am not counting on the playoffs for next season like I was for this past one. The cast is the same. I can see another miss to get us to year 7 and no playoff. The coach selection will be of serious importance as it was in Toronto.

But for a different reason. We had an owner who was no longer willing to spend any money and thereby handcuffing his GM to make any significant moves so the team was aging and getting stale. Not a purposeful tank in an effort to get McEichel.

Tanking is a crap shoot. It is why LaFontaine walked away. He did not want to go that easy route. I believe he felt that that route makes for a lazy management group, that tries to luck into a #1 pick and lets things go from there, instead of actually trying to build a complete franchise. Sure a high draft pick helps, but it's a guarantee of nothing. You still have to assemble surrounding talent and that takes time and a good (perhaps crafty) GM. Plus you won't get a high pick every season especially as your club starts to improve and slowly rises in the standings. Therefore you still need good hockey people at the top that continue to build the club, while icing a competitive or at least entertaining product so as not to completely alienate your fan base. I really believe Patty was against taking the tank route. Yes we have Jack Eichel whom I love, but you cannot tell me he isn't disgruntled right now. Although maybe after what transpired in the front office today he is feeling a little more optimistic about his future as a Sabre. Here's hoping! Look how many #1 picks the Oilers had before landing on McDavid. It didn't get them a ^playoff spot until this season. It hasn't gotten the Sabres one either yet. Onward and upward after today's cull!

As it stands right now, I am down with Lombardi and Sutter or Dudley and Housley as GM's and coaches because I believe either group could do better then the ### show we witnessed this season and at the very least, they would not tolerate any "passengers" on this flight if you know what I mean. Time to cut bait.

and on that topic, God Bless Jack Eichel if he was the catalyst for all this change. If he did speak his mind ( other then what he said to the media, which was all the correct things to say) then good on him. At least he has a passion and will to win and we cannot go another season wasting his talent. I am sorry that Dan and Tim lost their jobs in the process as I am sure they are 2 good men, but this is the pro sport business and the goal is winning. Business has been poor for this hockey club for over 6 seasons now. I'll take many more Jack Eichels please! In Jack I trust.

I agree as well, get a hockey guy in there who knows the people available and their history. It is working in Toronto and remember when we used to laugh at that organization? Guess what? We are currently that organization that we used to laugh at. I hate the Leafs a lot but I have to give them credit, they have set up their organization smartly. Th Sabres have a great and almost loyal to a fault, fan base and completely inept management as it stands right now (and playoff absences of 6 years running)

Right you are sir. GMTM stood the course when he should have replaced Bylsma as Montreal did with Therrien and Boston with Julien and the Islanders with Weight. (and those teams were performing way better then the Sabres and still pulled the trigger) He did nothing to address the defence woes as the season went on so what is the point of him as a GM? It was bloody obvious to all of us watching the team this season that Bylsma's system was not the right fit for this club and unfortunately we waited too long for Gerard Gallant. I was not a fan of Murray and am glad they are both gone. We do have Jack ichel who will hopefully be allowed to flourish under a new coach & GM. Give us a coach with some fire and passion and a GM who is at least willing to part with dead wood and at least try to deal when the timing is right. I mentioned this a long time ago when Bylsma and Murray were hired that I was not a fan of either and got shouted down on this board for it. You do have to look at past history and Bylsma's was poor in Pittsburgh despite the Cup. I was not sure what Murray's GM criteria was other then being a part of the "Murray" hockey family. It has come home to roost and I do hope Terry and the rest of the management group get these next 2 choices right as there is some decent talent here. (Kane, O'Reilly, Okposo, Ristolainen, McCabe, Reinhart and even Lehner- although I would not be ready to anoint him #1 just yet- but with a better D in front, perhaps) The head coach decision will be seriously important though, My take is that both needed to go and that has transpired. Onward and upward!

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.